The question
Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Oprah Winfrey. Considering the cards she was dealt at birth, what she has achieved is quite something.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 April 2023 source ↗
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – everything she writes speaks to me. Her Ted talk, We Should All Be Feminists, inspired everything I do with Gurls Talk.
My Auntie Jane. She took me in, aged 10, and, after my mother died, healed my broken heart by filling our dining room with food and people. Still cooking at the grand old age of 89. My icon.
Either Stevie Wonder or Willie Nelson. Hopefully, no explanation required.
Muhammad Ali – he made boxing the glamorous sport it is today. Last month I launched a petition to grant him an honorary knighthood.
Follow your dream and never give up, because it’s not over until the fat lady sings. Ride the adventure!
I had to choreograph dancing cows for a commercial. I had to superimpose footage of dancing legs – some were mine – on to the cow. It was bonkers.
I don’t think anyone should deplore anything about themselves. You can always improve things, but by deploring you’re putting yourself on a losing streak.
I bought a Mercedes convertible brand new in 2016 and I’ve only done 4,000 miles. I love cars – if I’m going to blow it, it’ll be on a sports car. I already have my eyes on the next one – I’ll get Simon Cowell to buy it.
Sheer drops, like a precipice.
Meanness and lying.
Steve Jones, David Vélez, Clive Myrie, Shonda Rhimes, Bill Bailey, Imelda Staunton
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