Bernadette Peters: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Bernadette Peters

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I most admire Steve Sondheim, who is not alive anymore. But his words and music keep him alive.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2025 source ↗

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Bryan Ferry British singer

Richard Hamilton – as my teacher at college, he greatly influenced my ways of seeing art and the world.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 October 2010 source ↗

Bear Grylls

I love and admire Julia Roberts, one of our Running Wild guests, for the way she has a few close friends, is loyal to her family, doesn’t believe in all the fame stuff and can laugh at herself.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 January 2026 source ↗

Rebecca Front English actress, writer and comedian

Camila Batmanghelidjh, the founder of Kids Company.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2015 source ↗

Benedict Cumberbatch English actor

Amber, my aunt, and her boyfriend, Gian Luigi Valino – he has primary lateral sclerosis and she cares for him.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2012 source ↗

More from Bernadette Peters

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Question Which quality in your friends matters most to you? Relationships

Honesty, trustworthiness, and a deep understanding of emotions.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 9 April 2025 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

A peaceful, joyous time in the world…or in my head.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 9 April 2025 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

I have a lot to be grateful for, but right now, being married. Having time to be with my husband and his children. I feel very grateful.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2025 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

People’s need to feel superior to others. All it does is cause judgment and hate.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2025 source ↗

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