Tracy-Ann Oberman
Actor and writer
An actress. My family thought it was ridiculous, it was like saying you wanted to be an astronaut.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Question
What is your greatest fear?
Identity & self
Question
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Values & belief
Question
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Identity & self
Question
What most recently made you cry?
Identity & self
Question
What made you decide to stop something you were known for, and how did you know it was time?
Time & hindsight
Question
In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to?
Daily life
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
This is a standing question in The Guardian's decades-long The Q&A and also recurs independently in career and life interviews.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
A veterinarian.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 January 2021 source ↗
Others on this question
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Edward Fox
British actor
To be able to play the piano like Artur Schnabel.
Floella Benjamin
British actress, presenter, and peer
A teacher. Teachers can change lives.
I wanted to be in the circus.
More from Serena Williams
View profile →I don’t think about my greatest fear.
My mom and dad. They always encouraged me to keep spiritual things first.
I wouldn’t change anything about myself. If you asked me 20 years ago, I probably would have had a long list. But I’ve learned to appreciate and love who I am.
I cry a lot, so the last time was no big moment.
I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn't feel like a modern word to me. I've been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people. Maybe the best word to describe what I'm up to is evolution. I'm here to tell you that I'm evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.
But these days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter.
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Gareth Bale, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Hoy, Mo Farah, Chris Bonington, Johanna Konta
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