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.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 July 2023 source ↗
I wanted to be like my dad, who was an academic, because he had an office packed full of books, always had loud music on, and seemed to get to do what he wanted.
A barrister or a pop star.
First something medical, then, without any doubt, an artist.
A magazine editor.
Eight or nine years ago, I disgraced myself in the Japanese ambassador’s home in Dublin, at a celebration for my late mother-in-law’s book about living in Japan. Afterwards, when I had to apologise, she told me it was the worst night of her life and, because I was drunk enough not to remember the details, it will never not be the most embarrassing night of my life. People are filling in details even now – “Remember when you fell under the table during the first course?”
I talk over people all the time.
I hope the happiest moment is still ahead of me.
Actors live in a constant state of disappointment. I’ll never be happy with what I’ve done.
Not being able to breathe – I get very panicky at the thought.
Never be rigid in your thinking, be open.
Paul O'Grady, Shirley Ballas, Joss Stone, Julia Ormond, Rose McGowan, Melissa McCarthy
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