FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TOYAH WILLCOX
What are you working on at the moment?
I am on tour all year with my band, Toyah. I am also touring an acoustic show with my American band, The Humans. I have three movies to shoot this year – in the first there’s no dialogue as we all ‘speak’ like apes… it will make sense in the end.
When were you at your happiest?
Why ‘were’? I am happy now. Happiness is an art form. I find it challenging at times but the past is gone. My motto is never look back – but my 40s were fantastic.
What is your greatest fear?
In the last five years I have lost my parents and the pain is overbearing. My great fear is losing my husband and our friends. I can’t imagine being happy without my hubby.
What is your earliest memory?
My mother putting a towelling nappy on me and the super size of the safety pin she used to secure it.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I have less patience and sympathy for difficult people. I am on stage most nights and my audiences are wonderful, but there may be one person who has had too much to drink and disrupts the show.
Who has been your greatest influence?
David Bowie, Katharine Hepburn, Helen Mirren and Judi Dench.
What is your most treasured possession?
Sanity. I believe I still have it.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I am very, very short. Once in Sacramento, a woman hit my husband on the back of his head when he hugged me on the street and shouted, ‘That is no way to treat a child!’ We still laugh about it today.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
I hate aggression. The media and our culture are all about confrontation, where some rent-a-mouth humiliates a celebrity or politician.
What is your favourite book?
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
Your favourite film?
The Alien films. I adore sci-fi horror.
Your favourite music?
David Bowie’s Life On Mars. And anything by Elgar – for a classic dude, he rocks.
And your favourite meal?
It would be Parmesan and rosemary crumble with winter vegetables. Then a huge steamed pudding with custard.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Alice Cooper, Bryan Ferry, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
If one looks hard enough it isn’t hard to find negative comments, but I have overcome physical disability since childhood.
Do you believe in aliens?
Yes. I also believe in multiple dimensions that we hop across during birth and death.
What is your secret vice?
Sugary things.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, all the time. Gratitude is always worth showing and sharing. I like people being polite to me but if someone is rude, it is because of who they are – not who I am.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘I’m unable to open this heavy door; please can you help me?’
What would most improve the quality of your life?
For bureaucracy to burn in hell.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I have been awarded an honorary doctorate at Birmingham City University.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Be proud, be loud, be heard.’
Toyah Willcox is an ambassador for Pure Gold Collagen: www.gold-collagen.com
I am on tour all year with my band, Toyah. I am also touring an acoustic show with my American band, The Humans. I have three movies to shoot this year – in the first there’s no dialogue as we all ‘speak’ like apes… it will make sense in the end.
When were you at your happiest?
Why ‘were’? I am happy now. Happiness is an art form. I find it challenging at times but the past is gone. My motto is never look back – but my 40s were fantastic.
What is your greatest fear?
In the last five years I have lost my parents and the pain is overbearing. My great fear is losing my husband and our friends. I can’t imagine being happy without my hubby.
What is your earliest memory?
My mother putting a towelling nappy on me and the super size of the safety pin she used to secure it.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I have less patience and sympathy for difficult people. I am on stage most nights and my audiences are wonderful, but there may be one person who has had too much to drink and disrupts the show.
Who has been your greatest influence?
David Bowie, Katharine Hepburn, Helen Mirren and Judi Dench.
What is your most treasured possession?
Sanity. I believe I still have it.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I am very, very short. Once in Sacramento, a woman hit my husband on the back of his head when he hugged me on the street and shouted, ‘That is no way to treat a child!’ We still laugh about it today.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
I hate aggression. The media and our culture are all about confrontation, where some rent-a-mouth humiliates a celebrity or politician.
What is your favourite book?
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
Your favourite film?
The Alien films. I adore sci-fi horror.
Your favourite music?
David Bowie’s Life On Mars. And anything by Elgar – for a classic dude, he rocks.
And your favourite meal?
It would be Parmesan and rosemary crumble with winter vegetables. Then a huge steamed pudding with custard.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Alice Cooper, Bryan Ferry, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
If one looks hard enough it isn’t hard to find negative comments, but I have overcome physical disability since childhood.
Do you believe in aliens?
Yes. I also believe in multiple dimensions that we hop across during birth and death.
What is your secret vice?
Sugary things.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, all the time. Gratitude is always worth showing and sharing. I like people being polite to me but if someone is rude, it is because of who they are – not who I am.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘I’m unable to open this heavy door; please can you help me?’
What would most improve the quality of your life?
For bureaucracy to burn in hell.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I have been awarded an honorary doctorate at Birmingham City University.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Be proud, be loud, be heard.’
Toyah Willcox is an ambassador for Pure Gold Collagen: www.gold-collagen.com