Katie Melua: 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.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

“Your lyrics are rubbish.” It was someone I was working with when I was in my early 20s. It turned out well because I then spent a long time studying and learning how to write good lyrics.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 November 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 122 →

Brandi Carlile

I love you but I hate your lifestyle.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗

Penny Lancaster

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

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

Rosie Jones British comedian and actress

“You’re not funny.” I fully understand why my comedy might not be right for everyone, but don’t tell me, get on with your day!

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 December 2022 source ↗

Cybill Shepherd American actress and former model

A review that said I had the charm of a hamster.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 June 2008 source ↗

More from Katie Melua

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Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Living a fairytale.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 November 2023 source ↗

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

I would have partied a little bit harder in my 20s.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 November 2023 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

Forty-eight hours after giving birth, I sent a picture that someone had sent me of their baby to a WhatsApp group, thinking it was my son (they kind of looked similar). Mortifying.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 November 2023 source ↗