Born in London, Skin, 57, worked as an interior designer before becoming lead singer of Skunk Anansie in 1994. The band had hit singles with songs including Weak and Hedonism; in 1999, Skin became the first black woman to headline Glastonbury. After a hiatus in the early 2000s, the band reformed in 2009. Their new single is An Artist Is An Artist and a UK and European tour begins on 28 February. Skin lives in New York and London with her partner LadyFag and their three-year-old daughter.
When were you happiest?
The first few years of touring with my band, especially in America. We were stupid kids with so much energy – it was wild.
What is your greatest fear?
Oh, just a rightwing wave sweeping across the globe like a demonic cloud of hate – a bit like it is now.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Loyalty. You need to have razor-sharp intuition to be strongly loyal or, like me, you can waste a lot of time waiting for people to be better.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
People who relish being unkind and impolite.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
The Duck; it’s the fucking duck [Skin appeared as Duck on ITV’s The Masked Singer in 2020].
What is your most treasured possession?
Joy. I have a lot of joy.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Brad Pitt – squint and you can see it.
Describe yourself in three words
I must tidy.
What makes you unhappy?
Lack of etiquette for phone cameras.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My tits – they’re way too big for the fashion I’d like to wear.
after newsletter promotion
What scares you about getting older?
Nothing – I like it.
What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
You’re not making the music of our people. Ouch! I do like watermelon and chicken, though … does that balance it out?
Would you choose fame or anonymity?
Anonymity every time.
What was the last lie that you told?
That last answer – I do like not having to queue sometimes.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Not being massive in America.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
Wasted a good seven years with the wrong person. I’d like those years back.
What would you like to leave your children?
The skills and the audacity to face challenges head on.
What is the closest you’ve come to death?
Once I dived off a cliff into an undertow that nearly swept me out to sea, but luckily, I was saved by a very strong, completely naked dude who managed to throw me on to the rocks.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
If everyone turned their comments off on social media. I’d rather not know the first disgusting thought strangers had on every topic known to dog.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Earning a living in an industry where no one wants to pay you.
What happens when we die?
Once your brain stops working, there is nothing.
Source: theguardian.com
