Paloma Faith: Facebook Q&A Session.

© Alice Hawkins

Paloma took part in a question and answer session on Facebook on Friday. As with previous sessions it proved to be very popular with fans. Unfortunately Paloma was unable to answer every single question she received. Below you can see the questions that she did answer.

What is your favourite meal?
Paella with mixed seafood.

Do you prefer going out or staying in?
Both.

What do you love about your career? 
I love performing.

If you could live in any time period, what would it be? 
1950's.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Don't take yourself too seriously.

Who is your favourite jazz artist?
Billie Holiday

What is your earliest memory? 
My first word was choc-choc before mama or dada that's what I can remember.

Will you post a happy birthday for me on my wall? 
No but Happy Birthday!

Where is your favourite place in London? 
Any Everyman Cinema.

The Voice or X Factor? 
The Voice.

When is your new album out? 
It's out now!!

What's your advice for an unknown singer who wants to get signed? 
Don't give up.

Who is your favourite designer? 
Dolce & Gabbana, Vivienne Westwood, Galliano.

What's your favourite perfume?
Joe Malone Pomegranate noir.

Do you read through your fans comments? What do you think?
Lots of people asking for a date.

Who is your favourite comedian?
Louis CK.

What's on your rider when you're gigging?
Elephant steaks, fried beetles and holy water.

What foundation do you use? Your skin always looks flawless.
Moisture rich foundation body shop.

Where are your favourite places to shop in London? 
Blackout II in Covent Garden 

Can I rely on you? 
Of course!

I posted a fan portrait of you (see above) what do you think of it?
Wow I love this.

How come there are no gigs up North? 
There will be eventually! Come to London for some fun 'daan in the smoke.

Why do you think you're not amazing? Why do you think you're just mediocre, when you inspire so many people? 
Because I have issues.

Do you want to come and party with me and my friend Cassie?
Hey babe yeah where and when.

What single will you be releasing next?
That would be telling!

I love how you said the last album had a very cinematic feeling. Would you say the same about the new album, or did you aim for a very different vibe? 
Very different. I was trying to make an album we could put on at a party this time.

If you could get away with it, would you? 
Always...

Do you remember when you played on a bandstand at the Innocent Village Festival in Hyde Park in 2007? I was there that day, and knew a star was in the making! 
I do!!! Thank you for being there.

If you could describe three traits someone should always try and have, what would they be? 
Compassion, humility and understanding.

Who is one of your favourite music artists right now?
Paolo Nutini, Kwabs and Laura Mvula.

Will you ever get with Noel Fielding?
No, I'm friends with his girlfriend.

What is something you would love to do but haven't achieved yet?
Write a film, win a Brit and a Grammy, get a number one and go on the Orient Express.

Any chance of a date?
Get in line.

What is the inspiration behind the new album cover?
Caravaggio's entombment of Christ.

If you made a film of your life who would you get to play you?
Christina Ricci.

How does your hair always look so fabulous?
Lyndell Mansfield.

How do you keep your hair curly and tamed at the same time? Are you going to be touring the UK in Bristol soon? 
My hair is naturally straight. I just put tongs in it! I am hoping to announce more tour dates as I go along.

Are you planning a European tour?
I really hope so. At the moment I am booking some European festivals.

What's your favourite Britney Spears song? 
Toxic.

If I gave you a pet unicorn what would you name it?
Thierry.

What are your favourite lyrics that you've ever written?
I think Black & Blue is the most important song I have written.

You did a Q&A for O2 and you picked my unborn baby's middle name, thank you.
I'm so glad!

Apparently you're married... are you?
No, it only lasted 10 months.

What's your guilty pleasure?
Ferrero Roche.

I think you would be a good judge on X Factor?
I couldn't do it... I would be too afraid of all the tweet rage.

Are you and Pharrell good friends now?
Bezzies.

Do you have a boyfriend?
I do and I am very happy with him.

Who is your hero?
My mother! She is so emotionally intelligent.

Favourite movie director?
Wong Kar Wai.

What is your most looked for quality in a partner?
Attention!! Haha.

Have you ever considered coming to Venezuela?
I would love to.

Hello Paloma, my name is Ella and I am using my mummy's phone. What was the name of your first friend and are you still friends?
She was called Josie and we don't see each other anymore.

What is your favourite word?
Cake. 

What's been your biggest achievement in life? 
Making the friends I have. They would do anything for me and I for them. They are like my family.

Do you know that you have the best merchandise going? It's always top quality and never gets ruined in the wash.
Good I am pleased! The new stuff is looking amazing too.

What do you do to cheer yourself up if you feel sad? 
Get dressed up and do something I like, like eating a nice meal or go to the cinema.

You worked at the bar in Leeds that my Auntie used to own! Milo's! 
I did! And Ricky Wilson was my supervisor!

How often do you wear makeup and what's your favourite brand? 
Body shop, MAC, Nars, Benefit all do great products. I usually wear some every day unless I have a sun tan.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 
I wouldn't give myself such a hard time.

If you could meet a cartoon character, which one would it be?
Jessica Rabbit - style icon.

Your music has got me through some of the hardest times in my life, so I just want to thank you for that. You inspire me so much. What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger right?
Very much so. Thank you for saying such a nice thing.

When are you doing a concert in Lisbon, Portugal?
There is one soon at a festival I think.

Summer or Winter?
Summer.

Do you design your tour T-shirts?
I supervise it all very closely. 

Your favourite moment of 2014 so far?
Getting to number two in the charts and realising that I might have a career!

Do you love that your fan base has grown massively since the new album?
Yes! I am so excited about it!

If you could tame a herd of something for transport, which would it be? I'd go for elephants, always make an entrance on an elephant and they know all the best watering holes! 
Thousands of kittens.

What's your favourite thing about Spanish culture?
El passion!

Which song that you have sung best represents who you are?
Broken Doll from the first album.

I find it interesting that your first album was called 'Do You want the Truth or Something Beautiful?' but on 'Fall to Grace', the songs were about real love being more beautiful than movies and pop songs love. Do you still prefer beauty to truth or do you view beauty and truth differently as you have grown as an artist and a woman? 
I think there is room for both it's very contextual.

Do you 'scone' or 'scon'? 
Scon.

What's the secret to getting a number #1 album? 
I don't know I've never done it! getting played on all the major radio stations and lots of television? 

Flat shoes or high heels?
I think you know the answer to that.

Do you have any exercise tips for keeping in shape for a busy lifestyle? PS: looking good and sounding great. 
I train a lot! Like 3 times a week for two hours a go. It's a pain and I hate every second. But I eat well and healthily and not too large portions of carbs (but not none) and running and fitness etc.

Do you miss Baby Sol being in your band? 
She's back!!!!

If the music's more dance-based this time around, would you advise dressing down for the live dates? I probably won't but if you expect me to strut, I'll need a bit of room in my trousers. 
NEVER DRESS DOWN EVER!!!! BLASPHEMY!

When will you tour Italy? 
Hahah hello lange! When Leon and Joel can play in my band!

Would you rather be cosy or stylish?
Stylish. 

Best advice for staying strong? 
Think about what you're going through and wonder if you will still be worrying about it in 5 years time. If the answer is no, move on swiftly xxx

Tea or coffee? 
Dislike both!

Will you marry me? 
Yes. Name a time and a place. 

Are your eyebrows real? I hope so. I love them. 
No they are caterpillars, my pets.

Will I like your first 2 albums? I'm a new fan, just bought A Perfect Contradiction and I love it. I really enjoyed the motown/soul sound.
No you will absolutely hate everything I do forevermore, amen.

Would you rather have a cat head with a human body or a human head and a cat's body?
Cat's head and a human body please.

Who are your top 6 biggest fans?
Lauren Green, Stuart Monk, The Hetheringtons, Paul Williams, Laura Barker, Keziah Hodgson.

What's your favourite song off your new album at the moment?
Mouth to Mouth.

I loved your collaboration with Pharrell, if you could who would you like to collaborate next with and why? 
Paolo Nutini all day long.

My Dad is a big fan of you. He keeps asking me to send you a message. He's so deep in love with Beauty of the End and thinks you're amazing. Could you send him a kiss?
xxx

Cheesy chips or gravy and chips?
Yuck to both.

I like your new album, it reflects your USA road trip! Did you like the Madonna Inn?! Which room did you stay in and how retro is that diner with the big seats!
I love it there, it's my spiritual home.

What do you miss most about being normal and unfamous?
Being able to cry in the street!

I'd love you to duet with Sam Smith would you like to work with him? 
Yes he's such a lovely human.

Do you meditate? 
No, my mother said I should learn because I can get very snowed under with work and suffer from anxiety.

How many languages can you speak? 
English well. Italian really quiet well. Spanish OK. French and Portuguese absolutely DREADFULLY.

How often do you colour your hair? The colours are always incredible and it always looks so glam!
About every two months... I'm a dye addict.

I'd love to see a collaboration between you and another powerful UK female artist like Marina or Ellie how would you feel about that? 
I would love to sing with Laura Mvula... I LOVE GIRLS.

What would you say to someone who's scared of not achieving their dreams?
Try your best or you will regret it, and even if you don't get there you will have fun trying.

Would you count yourself as a feminist? 
Absolutely.

What was your favourite film growing up?
Big with Tom Hanks and Never Ending Story.

Have you decided what your next single will be?
Yes but I'm not telling you.

Who is your biggest influence in music? Who are your heros/heroines?
Prince, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Raphael Saddiq, Pharrell, Kelis, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Etta James, Tina Turner, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Van Morrison.

When are you going to tour California? Especially the Los Angeles area. I've been dying to see you perform live. You have an amazing voice!
I am waiting on a plan from my USA label.

Will you come back to Chicago?
I want to but my USA label have to set up a plan!

I have no confidence any advice?
Pretend to be confident and people will think you are... I have none either!

Will you come to Brazil? You have a lot of fans down here.
I would love to go so so much. I am waiting for a good opportunity.

Will you ever visit Poland? 
I hope so.

Loved the O2 show and I just love the way that you structure the gig, - the opening with nothing on stage and ending up with everything but the kitchen sink on stage. Do you always try and find a contemporary theme to stage your shows? 
I believe in a sense of occasion! I can't go quietly.

What was the first record you ever bought?
Michael Jackson - Bad.

If you weren't a fabulous singer what do you think you would be doing instead?
Directing music videos.

Name your 5 all time dinner party guests. Living or dead and why?
Hanif Kureshi (incredible writer and a great observer), Isabella Rossellini (charismatic and earthy), Marilyn Monroe (I would love to know what really went on), Edith Piaf (with translator - dramatic and probably a really good character study), Leonard Cohen (beautiful and insightful) and Mae West (full of beans and controversy).

Is there a venue that you would absolutely love to play?
Radio City New York.

Is Keith Lemon like that in real life?
He's worse.

What is your ultimate ambition? 
To have a family and live a happy comfortable life.

Do you have plans for a European Tour (especially Czech Republic)?
I would love to.

How much fun was it being on the Graham Norton Show the other week? 
Bill Murray was hilarious. Great new album by the way. 
I am in love with Bill. I want him to adopt me.

What is the best part about being an artist?
Performing live.

Have you ever been told you look like someone famous - before you were famous? If so who?
Yes, Billie Piper and Bjork.

What do you love most about your fans?
They are loyal, and they are not over the top and hysterical. I wouldn't know what to do if they were were! Hello JENNA!!!!! Kisses x

Did you always want to be a singer from a young age? 
No, I started really late actually.

Would you ever release a perfume? 
I would love to, my favourite smell is frankincense.

What do you think of Florence & The Machine? 
I think she's wonderful.

Have you ever visited an Arabic country? 
I would like to.

Do you love me?
So much it hurts.

Worst habit? 
Picking and biting my lips.

What is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
Ferrero Roche.

What did you look like as a child?
Pretty much the same. I put some pictures on my instagram though!

When in your career have you been most star struck?
Meeting Anthony Hegarty and Prince.

Have you ever invited an audience member on stage to sing with you?
Loads of times.

How did you become famous? 
I worked on my talents.... fame is not an ambition, it's a consequence.

Explain the new album title and it's meaning?
You can't have light if you haven't experienced darkness. They go hand in hand.

Will you performing in Liverpool again this year?
I hope so, I'm not sure yet.

I would love to send you some of the jewellery I make. Where can I send it to?
All my contacts are on my website palomafaith.com

Who are your fashion icons?
Grace Jones, Bjork, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich.

What is your favourite song to perform on your new album?
Mouth to Mouth.

Will you do a makeup selfie for cancer research? Please!
That's above.

Is that your no make-up selfie? 
Yes - that's what I look like without make up, my face really changes shape.

What did you think when you took this picture??
I thought I would like to be silly.

Why does your head look like a spoon? 
I got stuck behind some railings.


Thank you all. I am going to the supermarket now to buy some ferrero roche eggs...... have a great weekend xxx