Julia Stiles: If you could edit your past, what would you change?

Originally asked

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

Repeated verbatim in The Guardian's long-running Saturday Q&A; two publisher-hosted examples establish recurrence.

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

Recorded Julia Stiles said elsewhere, not written here

I’d have been less precocious as a child (you grow up fast in New York). I’d have prolonged the naivety.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2015 source ↗

Others on this question

I’m not thrilled with my lack of commitment to feminism in my 20s.

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

Mary McCartney English photographer and cookbook author

Through food, I’ve become more interested in the protection of soil, the way things are grown, and biodiversity. I’d have become a quantum physicist!

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 February 2022 source ↗

Nothing. Tony Benn, one of my favourite politicians, said, “I don’t care where you’ve been, I care where you’re going.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗

Alison Steadman British actress

I would never have smoked - I gave up years ago.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2009 source ↗

When The Saints Go Marching In, by a New Orleans second line band.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2015 source ↗

On a plane. I become so sentimental on planes: I could be watching Bridesmaids and start crying.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2015 source ↗

People I went to school with who have careers as doctors and teachers.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2015 source ↗

This morning when I woke up. I am generally happy.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2015 source ↗

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