Bruno Tonioli
Italian choreographer
Growing up as a gay boy in a small town, you get used to people saying bad things pretty quickly.
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Question
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Identity & self
Question
How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
Question
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
Failure & regret
Question
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Daily life
Question
What happens when we die?
Death & what remains
Question
When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
One time an engineer said, “I always forget your frequency is at the same level as a crying baby.” I think he was on to something, because I have been told to shush many times over the years.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 November 2025 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 124 →
Rose Ayling-Ellis
British actress
“I’ll tell you later.” They never do.
Rosie Jones
British comedian and actress
“You’re not funny.” I fully understand why my comedy might not be right for everyone, but don’t tell me, get on with your day!
Apart from stuff on social media, an ex-partner telling me I’m unlovable.
More from Nuala McGovern
View profile →Too high an expectation of others and myself.
I lived in New York during 9/11 and worked a couple of blocks away from the twin towers. I was looking when the first tower exploded and then when the second plane flew in and, before we had to evacuate, I did see people jump to their death.
Fewer night shifts.
Compulsory headphones for phone users in public.
I think we become stars.
I’m at my happiest in the ocean, and even better if my husband is there throwing me around.
More on failure & regret
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- If you could edit your past, what would you change? 205 answers
- Which moment embarrassed you most? 124 answers
- How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a favourite failure? 77 answers
- What is the hardest thing that has happened to you, and what did you carry out of it? 39 answers
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