Aretha Franklin: What does happiness look like for you when life is going well?

The question

What does happiness look like for you when life is going well?

Originally asked

Vanity Fair, to its interview subject, The Proust Questionnaire

Verbatim recurring item in Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire; two publisher-hosted respondent pages establish institutional recurrence.

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

Aretha Franklin

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

It’s never going to be absolutely perfect. There will always be something you would change if you could.

The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 November 2003 source ↗

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Alfre Woodard

Under sail somewhere with my children, Mavis and Duncan, and my husband, Roderick, with no agenda.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 26 August 2022 source ↗

Martin Scorsese

I think you can strive to attain it, but be realistic about the outcome. In the meantime, I find I might be experiencing it through flashes or brief moments in love and art, and at times just being alive.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 March 2010 source ↗

Bernadette Peters

A peaceful, joyous time in the world…or in my head.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 9 April 2025 source ↗

Jim Broadbent

Weeping with laughter.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 26 January 2018 source ↗

More from Aretha Franklin

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Question If you could alter one thing about yourself, what would it be? Identity & self

My weight, but I’m working on it. I will return!

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 November 2003 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

Right here, right now.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, November 2003 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

My lips are sealed.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, November 2003 source ↗

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