Michael Stipe
American singer
Archaeologist, pop star, store cashier.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Question
Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Money & investment
Question
Which moment embarrassed you most?
Failure & regret
Question
What scares you about getting older?
Time & hindsight
Question
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Values & belief
Question
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Identity & self
Question
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Failure & regret
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
This is a standing question in The Guardian's decades-long The Q&A and also recurs independently in career and life interviews.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
An actress. I started when I was 13 at theatre school. My first assembly, Tom and I were sat next to each other.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗
Others on this question
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Niamh Cusack
Irish actress
A saint. Then a ballerina.
Matt Goss
English singer-songwriter
I wanted to be like Vidal Sassoon and wear the three-piece suit and be part of pop culture.
Victoria Pendleton
British cyclist
A vet, but I wasn’t smart enough.
More from Giovanna Fletcher
View profile →Art: a James McQueen piece that says, “It’s all shits and giggles until someone giggles and shits.” It’s in our bathroom.
At the TV Baftas last year I was wearing these heels that had stiff bows on the front. One heel locked into the other bow and I went arse over tit.
Forgetting things.
Judi Dench – not only is she super talented but she is also really humble.
My need to be liked.
A friend and I were talking about eating disorders and he said: “Well, we never have to worry about you not eating.”
More on identity & self
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Ronnie Wood, Viv Albertine, Oti Mabuse, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Adwoa Aboah, Anna Friel
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