Monica Dolan: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

Originally asked

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

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

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

MD

Monica Dolan

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Another actress once said to me, “I’ve told you huge lies to make you feel good about yourself.” I’m not going to say who.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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“We’d love you to be on the cover of our magazine and we’ll give you a makeover.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 December 2023 source ↗

Penny Lancaster

An English teacher said, “You’ll never make anything of yourself.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 September 2025 source ↗

“You’re getting old.” My son Harris was factually correct, but I didn’t need to hear it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2024 source ↗

Romesh Ranganathan English actor and comedian

My wife when I tried out some new material on her, said: “I’m sure the people who like you would like that.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 August 2024 source ↗

More from Monica Dolan

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Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

Not marrying the person I wanted to marry, but now I think it’s probably good that I didn’t.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

Knowledge seeping into adventure, with a thin layer of giddiness, hysterical laughter and loss of control.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Being lost and no one wanting to find me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

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

My friend Fritha Goodey wouldn’t have committed suicide.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

Our friends are sad and miss us for a bit but, hopefully, they find other people at the party.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

Question Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list? Taste & recommendation

Any unread book a friend bought me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 January 2024 source ↗

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