Stephen K Amos: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

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.

Stephen K Amos

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

“Do you know what your problem is?” It was a dear friend of mine. They were referring to the fact that I’m impatient.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 September 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 122 →

Layton Williams

Racial and homophobic slurs – the F- and N-words. When I moved to London, people screamed the F-word from their cars, and that stings.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 December 2024 source ↗

Belinda Carlisle American singer

“You sing like a goat.” When I did my French album [Voila], this French woman – a supposed friend – said to my face: “It’s fantastic but, how come you sound like a chèvre?” It was like someone had hit me in the stomach.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 March 2023 source ↗

Chiwetel Ejiofor English actor

“You’ll never do well as an actor unless you change your name.” I’m not going to say who.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 October 2024 source ↗

Olly Alexander English singer and actor

It’s the stuff about my appearance that sticks. I read I had a face like a crumpled napkin and teeth that could till a field.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 March 2025 source ↗