Toni Collette: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

Originally asked

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

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

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

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Right now: Summer. Dusk. On my couch watching Australian Open tennis with my kids and dog. Doors wide open to a beautiful body of water. The first star of the night just appeared in the sky. Life is magical.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2025 source ↗

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Denise Welch

Now, because of my marriage and because since September 2019 I’ve been free of clinical depression.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 December 2023 source ↗

Kerry Godliman

In the sea, somewhere hot. Looking back at people I love on the beach.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 September 2023 source ↗

Sinéad O'Connor Irish singer and songwriter

When I am performing, and when my kids make musical mayhem.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 June 2013 source ↗

Julia Donaldson British writer and playwright

As a child, discovering there was a wonderful thing called countryside.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 August 2011 source ↗

More from Toni Collette

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Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I’m terribly impatient.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2025 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Losing my mind.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2025 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

People-pleasing.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2025 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

Floating on my back in the ocean.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 5 March 2025 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

Anyone brave enough to truly be themselves.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, March 2025 source ↗

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