Born in Kent, Joss Stone, 34, released her debut album, The Soul Sessions, in 2003 and went on to win Brit and Grammy awards. In 2019, she was deported from Iran as she attempted to complete her Total World Tour, performing in 200 countries. She lives in Nashville with her partner, Cody DaLuz, and their three-month-old baby.
When were you happiest?
In the hospital after my C-section, hanging out with my new baby, feeling very, very happy and grateful.
What is your earliest memory?
Playing with my voice in my crib, being fascinated and excited by the different volumes it produced.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Weakness.
What is your most treasured possession?
The rings from my nan, who is no longer alive.
What makes you unhappy?
When people I love are unhappy.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
Tolerance.
What is your most unappealing habit?
My honesty: it’s both appealing and unappealing, depending on which side of the fence you sit.
What is your favourite word?
The C word.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A veterinarian, but I decided against it because it required too many years of schooling; I wasn’t great at school.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Cigarettes.
What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
An ex told me that I would have to do a lot of changing in order to be a good mum.
What is top of your bucket list?
I’ve done most of the things I had on my bucket list, so I’d say it’s to be a good mum.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My daughter, Violet, of course.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Jordan Peterson: he’s so interesting.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
It’s all a learning experience, even if it’s a shit time.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Probably Iran, before they changed the rules and women were free to do what they wanted. We’d play a gig and dance around, and it would be beautiful.
What is the closest you’ve come to death?
Maybe the night we drove a Hummer in Kabul and went to a cafe that Osama bin Laden supposedly used to frequent.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Having my family in closer proximity, but that’s what comes with living in another country.
What has been your closest brush with the law?
That would be telling.
How would you like to be remembered?
As somebody who brought joy to people.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To think that your life is in anyone else’s hands is folly. It’s not, it’s in yours – and that’s wonderful.
