Born in south Wales, Marina Diamandis, 39, released her first album, The Family Jewels, in 2010. Her second, Electra Heart, went to No 1 in the UK in 2012 and gave her the hit single Primadonna. Her other albums are Froot, Love + Fear and Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land, which featured the Ivor Novello-nominated Man’s World. Last year, she published a poetry collection, Eat the World. Her new album, Princess of Power, has just been released. She lives in California.
When were you happiest?My late 20s, writing my third record.
What is your greatest fear?Not trying something I really want to do.
What is your earliest memory?Painting the entire kitchen floor red with my sister. It had a pink tinge for years afterwards.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?Cruelty.
Aside fromproperty, what’s the most expensive thing you’vebought?A Porsche.
What is your most treasured possession?I don’t have a strong sentimental side when it comes to stuff I own.
Describe yourself in three wordsCheerful, sensitive, sassy.
What would your superpower be?To make people love each other.
What makes you unhappy?Being too busy. I need space in my day.
What is your most unappealing habit?Ihateto wash a pot or a pan.
Who is your celebrity crush?George Clooney for ever.
Which book are you ashamed not to have read?None! We shouldn’t shame people for not having read “the greats”. There are always new greats emerging that may feel more relevant to our life experience, particularly female writers.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?Watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?Myself. I didn’t know how to protect myself adequately when I was younger, and I think I would have experienced my youth differently if I had.
What does love feel like?Home.
Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it?Absolutely not.
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Which words or phrases do you most overuse?“Are you fucking kidding me?”
What is the worst job you’vedone?Working at a petrol station.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?I would get therapy in my early 20s.
When did you last cry, and why?Three days ago. I don’t even know why. Sometimes I just feel emotional about how vulnerable humans are.
When did you last change your mind about something significant?A year ago. My understanding of what love is has changed immensely since.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?Getting rid of my phone.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?Being delusional and dreaming big.
How would you like to be remembered?As fun and of help to others.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?Genuine love is given freely, not by force.