Interview | Anastacia talks music, camp moments & Michael Fassbender’s manhood
She’s got one of the best voices in the business and the biggest of personalities so we’re very glad to welcome back Anastacia. Cracking new single Take This Chance reminds us just how much of a belter the 47-year-old Chicagoan is and best-of album Ultimate Collection is a brilliant summation of her career so far. The larger-than-life funny lady, cancer survivor and friend of Elton’s tells us about her proudest moments, being weirded out by Prince and why Michael Fassbender’s manhood scares her…
The Ultimate Collection marks 15 years in the business. Did you ever dream you’d have such staying power?
Not really, to be totally honest. But I’m super grateful for it and super happy that when people hear my music from 15 years ago it brings back happy memories.
What are your proudest career moments so far?
I’ve had shockingly amazing moments and sometimes when I tell people about them they go ‘Get outta here!’ but fortunately there are YouTube videos and pictures to back me up. Singing with Pavarotti, performing with Elton John in Madison Square Garden then he gets down on one knee and kisses my belly button, Celine playing air guitar during an AC/DC number we did together… I mean, seriously! Who gets to experience such things?
Which song do you most wish you’d gotten your hands on?
Let’s see. Madonna’s Music is an awesome song. Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger. Rihanna’s Pon de Replay. Those three please.
Have you ever encountered a drag queen Anastacia?
Erm, yeah! I’ve encountered them and done karaoke with them. I’m a little obsessed with how great their legs usually are.
And have you ever been mistaken for one yourself?
No. I’m not that good! I can’t play me as well as they can. They have mannerisms that are so ridiculously me that you go ‘That’s really her and the one who says she’s her isn’t’.
Why do you think the gays get you?
Since birth my mum has always been a staunch supporter of love in all ways and the fact that being gay wasn’t taboo. She was in musical theatre and I grew up with my aunts being John and my uncles being Sally. I just saw being gay as normal and I’m so glad that society is slowly getting there in terms of gay marriages and physical transitioning. It’s long overdue and it’s a beautiful thing to watch the community grow and be proud of who they are.
Have you been to any gay weddings?
Well, Elton’s. Sorry to name-drop right now but I guess that would be the gay wedding.
What’s the campest thing you’ve ever done?
I think I’m always a little camp so I don’t know if I can diversify my campness. I’m kind of goofy and corny and campy all at the same time and I’m very real and honest.
You’re known for being a belter vocally but have you ever belted anyone physically?
No and I’d probably be a terrible fighter because I have nails and I don’t know how to make a fist. I’d be all open-handed with my eyes closed. It would be awful. You wouldn’t want to see me fight.
What are your diva demands?
The diva thing is something I’ve never really gotten into. I got my career quite late in life so I didn’t have so many demands. I’d been through ‘Oh my God, am I going to get thrown out of my building because I can’t pay my bills?’ and ‘Will I be able to get my phone turned back on?’ I was a little more unhealthy when I started out so I wanted Doritos and chocolate in my dressing room and wine. Now it’s water and hummus and crudities. I’ve gotten so boring.
You’re cancer-free, which is wonderful, but does the fear ever go away?
I never felt like I lived in the cancer sphere but I guess there was a cloud over my head during the ten years between the two cancers, because you’d have to get a check-up every six months. At first it was scary but when it came back in the other breast I’d kind of prepared myself with ‘If it comes back this is what I’ll do’. I wanted to have a double mastectomy and get rid of it and move on. I don’t know if I’ll get cancer somewhere else – that’s just down to destiny – but I’m not fearful because I feel that’s not living. My new single is about coming to terms with living your life in the moment, being happy and enjoying it. A lot of us live in the fear, live in the tomorrow or in the yesterday but instead ‘Go for it’ is what the new song is saying.
Who’d be your dream date?
Unfortunately most of them are married. I always get big old fat crushes on married men. But I like The Rock. I think he’d be hilarious to date. I’ve always loved Gerard Butler’s little pouty lips and I’m really digging where Michael Fassbender’s career is going and the variety of stuff he’s doing. Did I see him naked in Shame? Yes I did. That scares me! It makes me go ‘Can I handle all that?’ The guy is a tripod!
Of all the people you’ve met who has wowed you the most?
I have a funny story about meeting Prince. I was in awe that I was looking eye to eye to him, because we’re the same height, and of being in his presence. I introduced myself and said ‘I fucking love your music and I think you’re awesome’. He went ‘You’re cursing and you should pray on that’ and I was like ‘Oh shit, oh fuck’. Every word that came out of my mouth was a curse word and he just smiled at me and walked away.
The new single Take This Chance is out now. The album The Ultimate Collection is out today (November 6).
Words by SIMON BUTTON
