Gregory Porter: ‘My worst job? Shovelling exterminated rats'
Born in California, Gregory Porter, 53, released his Grammy-nominated debut album, Water, in 2010. He went on to receive best jazz vocal album Grammys for Liquid Spirit in 2014 and Take Me to the Alley in 2017. He sang for Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee and was the first celebrity to sing a lullaby on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. Next week, he begins a UK tour. He is married with two children and lives in California.
What is your greatest fear?
Immunity to cruelty.
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Barack Obama, for his humility and grace in the face of enormous difficulty.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Dancing on stage with an open fly.
What is your most treasured possession?
A picture of my mother with her handwriting on the back.
Describe yourself in three words
Empathetic, humble and strong.
What would your superpower be?
The ability to feel people's pain.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I could lose a pound or two.
What scares you about getting older?
Losing the people that I love.
Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
Because it's in one of my songs, War and Peace.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A doctor.
What is the worst thing anyone's said to you?
'You're selfish.' It was a friend.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Country music.
What does love feel like?
Holding a large and fragile glass object in a very dangerous environment.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
OK. Absolutely.
What is the worst job you've done?
When I worked at a dog food company shovelling the exterminated rats.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
The Covid years. My life is diminished since then. I lost my brother. My children lost some social expression, and we are still recovering from that.
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If you could edit your past, what would you change?
The years of self-doubt.
When did you last cry, and why?
Telling a story to my son about my brother.
When's the last time you changed your mind about something significant?
Two days ago. To move to New York.
How often do you have sex?
Twice a week.
What would you like to leave your children?
A bushel of self-confidence.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
More time with my boys.
What keeps you awake at night?
I worry about doing everything right with my kids.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Redemption. People can be redeemed, goals can be redeemed.
What happens when we die?
An accounting is given of our lives. Did you give more than you've taken? Hurt more people than you've helped?
Tell us a secret
If you finish cooking everything in butter, it will always come out great.
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