Brandi Carlile: When were you most embarrassed? — FLAPSS

The question

When were you most embarrassed?

Originally asked

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

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

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BC

Brandi Carlile

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Leaving the stage from a panic attack in my 20s. Hearing the audience angry.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Rose Ayling-Ellis British actress

Rapping the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme on national television.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 August 2024 source ↗

Recently, sending a negative text about a person to that person.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 October 2023 source ↗

I constantly forget people’s names when they have literally just told me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 August 2025 source ↗

Bryn Terfel Welsh bass-baritone singer

One horrible afternoon in Chicago when I forgot my words in The Marriage of Figaro, in a role I’d sung hundreds of times.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 November 2024 source ↗

More from Brandi Carlile

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

Greed, lack of empathy. Same thing.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

Human, evolving and faithful.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

To kids I bullied in school. I have apologised and I will continue to. To repay those things karmically, I will watch my kids’ hearts like a hawk for signs of hardening or any distortions of empathy that they might develop.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

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

I’m the happiest right now. I can see that I’m in a kind of sweet spot: my parents are alive, my kids are little, my wife is hot and my body doesn’t hurt.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

Question If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? Failure & regret

I’m not thrilled with my lack of commitment to feminism in my 20s.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Self-righteousness and a phobia of embarrassment.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

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