Michael Stipe: Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?

Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?

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.

Recorded Michael Stipe said elsewhere, not written here

Anyone I slept with before the age of 27, because I was a selfish, cold-ass bitch.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 January 2020 source ↗

Others on this question

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Marc Almond English singer

To my first real boyfriend, for being so mean to him. But really I was just being mean to myself.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 November 2017 source ↗

Engelbert Humperdinck British singer

My wife. I made mistakes in my early life and hurt her. Everybody thinks the grass is greener, but it’s not. To say sorry to her when she understands will be one of the greatest gifts God has given me.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 February 2019 source ↗

David Ajala

To a resistant materials teacher at secondary school called Mr Noel. He had a comb-over and whenever he turned his back to write on the blackboard, we would roll up bits of paper and launch them at his head. Once, I hit him. I remember him turning around and looking crestfallen.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗

Rhys Ifans Welsh actor and musician