Tuppence Middleton: When were you most embarrassed?

The question

Originally asked

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

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

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

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Congratulating Dua Lipa on managing to release a single in such a tough industry, because I thought she was a struggling indie artist. I Googled her the next day and realised that she has 88 million followers.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 May 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Sharleen Spiteri

Going on stage and saying, “Good evening Lyon!” I was in Marseille.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 May 2024 source ↗

Natalie Imbruglia

Forgetting the words to my own songs on stage. I’m a very good mumbler of my own songs. You’d be surprised how few people notice – if you smile and do it confidently, they’re none the wiser.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2026 source ↗

Meghan Trainor American singer-songwriter

When I was 11, I went down a water slide and my bottoms didn’t go with me. Everyone saw my bare white butt.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 June 2024 source ↗

Alison Steadman British actress

Playing a pregnant woman, and not being able to find the padding - I shoved a cardie under my dress, and spent the whole play walking around with a sleeve dragging along the floor.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2009 source ↗