Jean Pigozzi, the renowned photographer, art collector, and technology investor known to friends as "Johnny," has shared his insights on life's most important questions in a candid interview. The internationally connected figure, who became a household name through his celebrity selfies and jet-set lifestyle, recently opened up about his personal preferences and philosophy while promoting the new HBO Max documentary "I Am Curious Johnny."
Pigozzi, who splits his time between Panama City and Cap d'Antibes, revealed his practical approach to travel and daily life. He prefers airlines that depart on time with decent legroom and considers Rome his favorite airport due to fast baggage delivery. The collector, who admits to always overpacking, looks for discreet luggage with strong wheels, hard sides, and robust zippers to avoid unwanted attention from customs agents and potential thieves.
The art enthusiast's daily routine reflects his laid-back approach to life. He deliberately skips weekday breakfast by staying in bed until 11:30 AM and confesses to hating both his birthday and Christmas, calling them his "two most hated days of the year." Notably, Pigozzi has never consumed alcohol or wine, preferring virgin mojitos as his cocktail of choice, paired with pigs in a blanket as appetizers.
When discussing relationships and dating, Pigozzi expressed frustration with the initial stages of romance, describing first dates as "filling in the database" with endless questions about family, education, and preferences. He emphasized that he values comfort over elegance in his dates, stating he'd rather his companion feel comfortable in her dress and shoes than be the most elegant person at a party.
Pigozzi's perspective on life has evolved with age, particularly regarding past conflicts. "With age, I forgot who my enemies are," he reflected, suggesting a philosophical shift toward letting go of grudges. He acknowledged his impatience as a personal flaw, particularly when it comes to air travel, citing the numerous lines and waiting periods that make him prefer staying home and browsing Netflix.
The collector's friendships hold deep meaning for him, though he notes sadly that many of his oldest friends have passed away. His current companions include six dogs with names like Charles, Saatchi, Simca, Limo, and Isla, with two dogs named Simca living in different countries. His advice for others centers on maintaining curiosity about everything and writing down brilliant ideas to avoid forgetting them.
Pigozzi's cultural preferences reveal sophisticated tastes spanning multiple mediums. His favorite films include "Chinatown" and "La Dolce Vita," while he considers "The Sopranos" the best television series. For literature, he favors "The Americans" by Jack Kerouac and Robert Frank for nonfiction, and Albert Camus' "L'Étranger" for fiction, describing it as "short and very strange."
His artistic collection focuses on works by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Irving Penn, while his musical preferences lean toward Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and Mick Jagger. The Beverly Hills Hotel in the mid-1970s remains his ideal accommodation, and La Petite Maison in Nice serves as both his favorite restaurant and the source of his chosen last meal: a truffle sandwich.
Despite his wealth and connections, Pigozzi maintains simple pleasures, including his beloved blue plastic Birkenstock beach sandals, which he'd prefer to wear exclusively to avoid socks. His ideal vacation involves staying in one place for more than 60 days without airport visits, swimming in shark and jellyfish-free waters. The documentary "I Am Curious Johnny" on HBO Max offers viewers an intimate look into the world of this enigmatic figure who has photographed and befriended celebrities while building impressive art and technology investment portfolios.
