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Dua Lipa Answers Vogue’s 73 Questions

As she powers through her epic “Future Nostalgia” tour, June/July cover star Dua Lipa talks dancing, yoga, astrology, and Crocs. 
Director: George Wasgatt
Interviewer: Joe Sabia
Director of Photography: Jess Dunlap
Editor: Evan Allan
Senior Producer, Vogue: Jordin Rocchi
1st AC: Ajiri Akpolo
2nd AC: Amanda Hamaday
Gaffer: Adam Goral
Grip: Micah Zarlow
Audio: Gray Thomas-Sowers
Color: Oliver Eid
Audio Mix: Nick Cipriano
Associate Producer: Courtney Walden
Production Assistant: Mitchell Northern
Filmed on Location The Forum
Hair Stylist: Jen Atkin
Makeup Artist: Sam Lau
Wardrobe Stylist: Lorenzo Posocco
Hair Stylist Assistant: Cherlyn Farris
Cast Make Up - Monique Gold
Cast Hair - Tracy Nguyễn
Covid Supervisor: Moe Sherwood
Production Coordinator: Kit Fogarty
Production Manager: Edith Pauccar
Line Producer: Tina Magnuson
Post Production Coordinator: Andrea Farr
Post Production Supervisor: Marco Glinbizzi
Entertainment Director, Vogue: Sergio Kletnoy
Director of Content, Vogue: Rahel Gebreyes
Senior Director, Programming, Vogue: Linda Gittleson
Executive Producer: Ruhiya Nuruddin
VP, Digital Video Programming and Development, Vogue (English Language): Joe Pickard

Released on 05/09/2022

Transcript

[Interviewer] My seats to the show

better be this good Dua.

Hey, Vogue.

[Interviewer] And answering 73 questions

is now your opening act.

I'm ready.

[Interviewer] Okay, can you first tell me

what you're standing on.

This is the levitator.

[Interviewer] Can you tell me the purpose

of the levitator?

I get up every night and I perform levitating

on this while flying through the arena.

[Interviewer] Oh my God, that sounds like magic.

And how many shows have you performed on your tour so far?

I've done 23 shows out of 109.

[Interviewer] Almost a quarter done.

And what is the first thing you do

when you get to a new city?

I love to find a good restaurant

and a really fun dive bar.

[Interviewer] How would you describe

the Future Nostalgia Tour in your own words?

The craziest thing I've ever done.

[Interviewer] What's been the most memorable show

on the tour?

You know, I do get spoiled almost every night

but I have to say I Missed You

was a really special one for me.

[Interviewer] Love New York City.

And how has your approach to touring changed

since you first started?

It's definitely not rock and roll.

It's lots of sleep and lots of tea.

[Interviewer] Two very important activities.

What tip would you give to someone

who's about to start their first ever tour?

Make sure you take some time for yourself

to stay grounded in the midst of all this craziness.

[Interviewer] And what is your pre-show ritual?

I do my dance warmups with my dancer, Sharon

and then I do my vocal warmups with my backing vocalists.

And then I have like a little fist pump handshake

with my monitor engineer, Alex.

And then I'm off on stage.

[Interviewer] How was on stage Dua different from Dua

just hanging out?

Pretty much the same just a lot more adrenaline.

[Interviewer] When did you feel most vulnerable on stage?

Well, I dropped my mic at my show in Washington, DC

and I was not prepared for that.

So I think that was probably the most vulnerable moment.

[Interviewer] What's something people may not know

about dancing during a performance?

Well, I guess, there's a lot thinking

with dancing and singing at the same time,

but sometimes you're just thinking about what's for dinner.

[Interviewer] Now you have me thinking about dance moves.

What would you say is your most famous dance move?

I think I'm just gonna have to show you that one.

[Interviewer] Oh, I was hoping you'd offer that to me.

So Dua, you take the stage, the spotlight is on you,

what is the perfect experience you want fans

to have at your show?

I would love them to have a really fun,

really sweaty dancing experience

where for 90 minutes you can just forget

about everything that's happening on outside these walls.

[Interviewer] Oh, love it.

And what's the first thing you look for in a stage outfit?

I love something that's comfortable

but makes me feel really good.

[Interviewer] And you wore four outfits during the show.

How did you go about selecting them?

So my show is split up in like four acts

and so each outfit tells a different story.

From the first one being the dance size class

to the space suit at the end.

[Interviewer] Very cool.

Girls, can we do the dance 'cause Vogue wanna see it.

You ready?

[Interviewer] That's right.

Yeah?

[Interviewer] All right. - [Interviewer] Okay.

Five, six, seven, eight.

You happy Vogue?

[Interviewer] Yes, Dua, you completely made my day.

I'll catch up with you guys in a sec.

[Interviewer] Do you have a message

for people who may have made fun of that dance?

No, I think the message has been received.

[Interviewer] Got it.

Now, Dua, how do you hope you inspire your fans?

I really think, without sounding cliche,

if I can do it, you can too.

So if you are really passionate about something,

then you should really just go for it.

[Interviewer] That's right.

And how old were you when you realized

you wanted to be a singer?

Well, I dreamt about it from when I was like four or five

but really put it into action when I was 15

when I left Kosovo for London.

[Interviewer] And what was the first song you ever wrote?

First song I wrote was probably around the age of four

or five and I wrote it for my mom.

It was in Albanian and to translate it,

it's like, When I grow up, can I borrow your shoes?

When I grow up, can I wear your dress?

When I grow up, can I be as pretty as you?

And now it's just a running family joke.

[Interviewer] Oh, that's cute.

And what was the most important lesson

you learned when you started making music?

Just to be really proud of the things

that you put out, what you represent

and who you are as an artist

just to make sure that you have no regrets

when you look back on the decisions that you made.

[Interviewer] What trait did you get from your mom?

I definitely got my nurturing side

and wanting to take care of people from my mom.

[Interviewer] And what about from your dad?

The hardworking side and definitely the curiosity element.

[Interviewer] Was Albanian or English your first language?

Albanian was my first language.

[Interviewer] What Albanian phrase was most often repeated

in your house?

[speaks Albania]

And what does that mean?

It means, What's for dinner?

[Interviewer] What was for dinner?

Lots of yummy stuff.

My mom, she's a great cook

and she cooks amazing traditional Albanian food.

So I always look forward to it

especially after a long stint on tour.

[Interviewer] Oh, that's amazing.

And what was the most important thing you learned

after moving out of your parents' house?

I learned how to cook

and how to do my dishes and do my laundry.

[Interviewer] Those are important things to know.

And how do you unwind after a performance?

I'm still figuring that out.

But do you wanna follow me

and I'll show you something really, really cool.

[Interviewer] I would very much love

to see something cool.

Now, Dua, what is the most important thing

that travel can do for a person?

I feel like it can really just broaden your perspective

and your horizons.

[Interviewer] Now I need some travel racks.

Where should I get the best coffee in New York City?

Ludlow Coffee Supply.

I love a maple hot latte from there.

[Interviewer] Best fish and chips in London?

Seashell of Lisson Grove.

[Interviewer] And since we're in Los Angeles right now,

where can I see some good art around here?

I really love the Broad and LACMA,

I think they've got great exhibitions on.

[Interviewer] Very nice.

If you wanna follow me, just be careful down these stairs.

[Interviewer] Cool.

And mind your head as well.

[Interviewer] I wonder where Dua is taking me right now.

I'm taking you to the underworld.

[Interviewer] Oh, I'm ready.

And now you're making me crawl.

I can't believe how crazy the stage is.

Hi, Brando.

Hi, darling.

This is Marlon Brando.

We like to call it Marlon Brando, really.

[Interviewer] Hey, Brando.

And this is my trolley and this helps me get

from A to B when I'm doing quick change.

So you can follow me and I've got you a little seat

for you as well.

[Interviewer] Ah.

[Dua] So we can do this together.

[Interviewer] Nice.

So this is how you do it, all right.

So Dua, where do you keep your first Grammy?

My first Grammy is on the mantle piece

on top of the five place.

[Interviewer] That's the perfect location.

And out of all the awards ceremonies that you've been to,

which one would you say has the best after party?

The best after party is at the Brits

because English people love to get [beep] up.

[Interviewer] Well, speaking of going out,

have you ever used a dating app?

I haven't, no.

[Interviewer] And what's the worst date

that you've ever been on?

I once went out on a date with a guy,

we went to a party, and then we went to the smoking area

and he just started kissing another girl.

[Interviewer] How rude is that?

All right, let's shift gears.

If I give the names of people you've worked with,

can you give me one word to describe them?

Just one word?

[Interviewer] Just one word.

Okay.

[Interviewer] Okay, Elton John.

A maverick

[Interviewer] Calvin Harris.

A polymer.

Thanks, Brando.

[Interviewer] And what about Megan The Stallion?

Well, it's not really one word, but the hot girl.

[Interviewer] Now, who would you say

you were most excited to collaborate with

on the Future Nostalgia remix?

I was really excited to collaborate

with The Blessed Madonna.

Just getting to work with a female producer

for the first time was really special for me

and get to reimagine the album was super cool.

[Interviewer] That is cool.

And what song would you play at a dinner party

to get every single person on the floor dancing?

Oh, The Time is Now by Moloko.

[Interviewer] How did your songwriting approach change

between your two albums?

I just got more confident and I trusted myself

and my craft.

[Interviewer] And what is your favorite lyric

that you've ever written?

I'll sink my teeth in disbelief

'cause you are the one that I want,

which is from my song, Love Again.

[Interviewer] So I love your Future Nostalgia tattoo.

When did you get that?

I got it before my album came out.

I actually announced my album title through the tattoo.

[Interviewer] Very cool.

And do you regret any of your tattoos?

No, I don't regret any.

[Interviewer] Gin or Vodka Martini?

Vodka Martini, filthy.

[Interviewer] And what's one word

that describes your style right now?

Playful.

[Interviewer] I think that's a perfect description.

All right, I'm gonna go and quickly change

and I'll be right back.

[Interviewer] Okay, Dua, I'm gonna keep firing questions

at you while you're changing.

We can't stop this.

[Dua] All right.

[Interviewer] All right.

What's the biggest difference between getting ready

for a red carpet versus getting ready for a concert?

[Dua] When you're getting ready for a show,

especially when you're on tour,

it's like the traveling circus,

you have a routine it's so much easier I feel,

whereas I feel like red carpets have a lot more pressure.

[Interviewer] Totally.

And what's the biggest difference

between your style five years ago versus now?

[Dua] Elevated, darling.

[Interviewer] And who do you think has the best style

in the world?

[Dua] I love Kristen McMenamy's.

[Interviewer] Oh, love her.

Whoa.

I'm getting pretty good at this quick change thing.

Should we go and hang out in my dressing room for a sec?

[Interviewer] That was amazing.

So what is your go-to outfit when you're not working?

Working, not working, always in a look.

[Interviewer] What's something that you would never wear?

Crocks

[Interviewer] Me too.

Stilettos or platforms?

Stilettos

[Interviewer] Monochrome or multicolored.

Multicolored.

[Interviewer] What was the first designer item

that you ever bought?

Hey, guys?

Hey. - What's up, Dua?

[Dua chuckles]

First designer item I bought were a pair

of Alexander McQueen boots that I got

when I signed my record deal.

I wore them to death.

[Interviewer] What was your favorite job?

My favorite job was working as a hostess

in a restaurant in Soho.

I had a lot of amazing memories,

made some great friends and some really debaucherous nights.

[Interviewer] I can imagine.

Who can always make you laugh?

My siblings, but I think both me and my sister, Rina

can agree that our brother, Gjin is the funniest.

[Interviewer] What was the last list

that you made on your Notes app?

I'd have to have a look.

[Interviewer] All right, take the list out.

Let's have a look.

The last list I made was the numerology report

that I got from an astrologist.

[Interviewer] Ooh, can I see it?

Okay.

Hey, John? - Hey, Dua.

[Interviewer] Hey, John.

So how did you get the idea for Service95?

Service95, it really came from my love of lists,

list making, going and trying out different restaurants,

different places, wanting to share that with my friends.

And so I wanted to create a platform

where I can do just that,

I can also make activism accessible,

put stories by incredible journalists,

the kind of stories that you wouldn't necessarily

[Interviewer] go looking for. - [Interviewer] Right.

And it's an ultimate concierge service,

that's how I like to see it, from me to you.

[Interviewer] That's great.

And how do you prepare for your podcast interviews?

Takes me about four or five days to do

lots of reading and researching, watching interviews,

videos, trying to get an understanding of who my guests are

and what are the most interesting questions

I could ask them.

[Interviewer] It's a lot of work.

And what's one thing you always travel with?

I always, always travel with my yoga mat.

[Interviewer] What's the most difficult yoga pose

that you've mastered?

Crow pose into headstand.

[Interviewer] I'm not sure what that means

so you'll demonstrate for me?

In heels and jeans, I can try.

[Interviewer] That's great.

And I'm gonna be over here

and not get in the way of this at all.

Whoa.

And she nails it.

10 out of 10 execution from Dua Lipa.

That was amazing and thank you for showing me that.

Of course, anytime.

[Interviewer] Okay, so one thing I love about you

is that you've never shied away from sharing your beliefs.

Why is that so important to you?

I feel very lucky to have this platform

and so I feel like I need to use it

for something that's way bigger than me.

[Interviewer] Makes sense.

And what's a cause that's on your mind right now?

I'm actually currently working with the activist,

Nadia Murad and trying to find out ways

on how we can help the Yazidi community.

[Interviewer] Who inspires you politically?

King Bernie.

[Interviewer] Is there anything that you'd like

to set the record straight on?

A lot of people ask me if Dua Lipa is my real name,

[Interviewer] and it is. - [Interviewer] Noted.

And do you have any newer rules that you would like

to add to the New Rules that you had before?

Yes.

Make sure you give your friends your phone

on a drunk night out so you don't end up

drunk calling someone a million times.

[Interviewer] That's right.

And what's one question you're tired of being asked?

Are you ready?

[Interviewer] And last question, question number 73,

for everyone watching at home,

what is the definitive answer to the question,

are you ready?

Always.

[Interviewer] And I'm ready for your performance.

Excited to see you on stage.

Thanks Dua.