Kelly Hoppen: How would you sum yourself up in three words? — FLAPSS

The question

How would you sum yourself up in three words?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's weekly The Q&A repeatedly uses this exact standing prompt.

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

KH

Kelly Hoppen

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Fiercely loyal, funny, easy-going. I’m sure my daughter and stepdaughters wouldn’t agree with the last bit, but I think I am.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 114 →

Scruffy, infuriating and kind.

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

Content, assured, indecisive.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 September 2023 source ↗

Slow but trying.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 February 2026 source ↗

Carol Vorderman

Independent, curious and funny.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 March 2026 source ↗

More from Kelly Hoppen

View profile →

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

All of them. I’m not someone who can sit down and read – I wish I could.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

Living life to the full, not having regrets and not trying to plan your future too much. Just enjoy every minute.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

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

I had an opportunity many years ago to move to America and be given a daytime TV show. The kids were quite young and I decided not to, but looking back I wish I had done it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

A travel agent.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

“Your cooking sucks” – before I learned to cook in Covid.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

Years ago in a safari park in South Africa, and getting all dressed up for dinner. Walking across the lawn, I didn’t realise there was a swimming pool that hadn’t been lit and walked straight into the shallow end fully clothed. It still haunts me. I remember trying to get out as if no one would notice.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

More on identity & self

Also answered this

Richard Eyre, Kerry Godliman, Bobbi Brown, Esther Rantzen, Charlie Higson, Mark Steel

Search the directory for somebody in particular.

Explore further

All identity & self questions
The The Q&A questionnaire — 25 questions from the same format
Explore the archive — by field, age, era, and subject

Report this answer