Cathie
23 Jul 2003, 01:14
NOW Celebrity grilling – Meat Loaf
What scares you?
Stephanie Simon, London
Live TV! Singing live on television scares me to death because I don’t think I can put across what I do in 4 minutes and 15 seconds. I create an album that has it’s own world and it’s really difficult pulling one track out. It’s like having to pull one sibling out of a family and just bragging about them.
Do you still have any ambitions you’d still like to fulfil?
Molly Matthews, Croydon
There are thousands. To be a better person, to be kinder and improve as a performer and actor. I only compete with myself. My shows must always be better than the last one.
Did you fancy Cher when you sang with her?
Sarah Johnson, Co Durham
Fancy her in what way? As a girlfriend who I wanted to sleep with? God no! I never thought of her that way. We did all these promotional shoots together and I didn’t even realise she wasn’t wearing knickers until someone pointed it out to me.
What do you miss most when you’re on the road?
Louise Everson, London
I miss my home comforts. I’m only there eight weeks in 18 months so it’s the little things I miss.
How do you stay in shape?
Annie Walters, Sussex
I stick to a mainly vegetarian diet, but that’s difficult when you’re on the road. I put on about 10lb when I’m touring because there’s only junk food to eat after the concerts. I’ll gain weight by eating a tomato. I’ve been in London 45 days and gained 3lb. It’s freaking me out.
Which of your film roles are you most proud of?
Tania Henry, London
A movie called Focus and Spice World. No, only kidding! Focus and Crazy in Alabama. In Crazy in Alabama I play a racist redneck sheriff and I turned the role around. Everyone expects me to say Fight Club, but the other two roles were more complicated and developed as characters.
Is there anything you wouldn’t do for love?
Michelle Burton, Edinburgh
There are probably lots of things, but I don’t know what they are. That’s a stupid question – it’s trying to be clever and fun but it’s not.
Is it true that you turned down the lead role in The Phantom of the Opera?
Sara Peters, Devon
I certainly did because I hate that show. The Phantom of the Opera doesn’t hold anyone’s attention. I took five people to see it once and three of them fell asleep.
Who would you love to do a duet with?
Nicola McKenzie, Dublin
Placido Domingo because he wrote to me asking to do a duet and I should return the favour.
Where do you live and why?
Danielle James, Carlisle
California because of the weather.
How did you get your name?
Michaela Watson, York
My dad’s been calling me Meat since I was a baby. My family added the Loaf bit when I was six. I grew up in Texas, where people are called Bubba and Big Boy and keep those names all their lives.
Why did you become a veggie?
Nicky Johnston, Coventry
It was 1981. I ordered rabbit in a restaurant and it came skinned but with it’s gead and feet still there. I didn’t eat meat again for 10 years. I started eating it again because I wanted to go on the Atkins Diet, which is all protein. If I eat meat it’ll be a really lean piece, but those occasions are rare.
Does your daughter Pearl still do backing vocals for you?
Antonia Bowers, Surrey
Not any more. She did until recently, but now she’s trying to do her own thing.
How did you feel when you lost your voice?
Sarah Herbert, Peterborough
That rumour wasn’t true. I had a nervous breakdown and it was completely psychosomatic. There was nothing physically wrong. It was just a rebellion against the record company. They wanted a particular track to be released and I was fighting against it.
When are you next touring?
Janice Mitchell, Sheffield
I’m coming to the UK in November. Twelve shows have already been sold out, so we’re putting on extra ones to reach out to all the fans.
What can’t you leave the house without?
Vicky Sharp, Norwich
In LA you never leave the house without your driver’s licence and the one thing I can’t forget is my asthma spray. If I’m on the road I have to take my computer.
Are you an actor or a singer?
Jean Birchill, London
An actor! I don’t know how to sing. My mother always said: “Good thing you’re not going to be a singer.” So I developed characters who could sing.
What’s the last CD you bought?
Amy Watts, London
Pink’s album because she tells the truth. Most singers don’t. They’re trying to be controversial and write lyrics that they think the public wants to hear.
What’s your faveorite place?
Grace Meyer, London
It changes all the time, but there’s a street in (London’s) Holland Park that’s the most beautiful street in the world.
Do you have any hobbies?
Anneka Andrews, Heathrow
Internet sports. I love playing fantasy games on the ESPN site.
Does Bat Out of Hell still hold the record for the longest stay in the album charts?
Alison Ward, Leeds
I’ve no idea. As far as I know, no one’s beaten it.
Who’s you idol?
Esther Massey, Walton-on-Thames
My new idol is Peter O’Toole. He gave the most eloquent, beautiful and intelligent acceptance speech for his honorary Oscar that I’ve ever heard. When I get back to the US I’ll be ordering all his films and I’ll watch each at least 50 times because I’m so enthralled by him.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Mandie Sharp, Preston
It doesn’t make any difference who gets the credit as long as the job gets done.
What’s your home like?
Gillian Jefferies, Liverpool
Very traditional, unlike those crazy Osbournes. I have very classical furniture and style.
Love is…?
Jo Hunter, London
Never having to say you’re sorry.
Prize Question
Your first job was in the musical Hair. Did you mind going naked on stage and would you do it again?
Claudine Jackson, Edinburgh
It was my first professional stage performance and I didn’t go on stage nude. No I did not! It was an optional thing and an extra $12.50 a week if you went naked, so I decided not to go for the extra money.
What scares you?
Stephanie Simon, London
Live TV! Singing live on television scares me to death because I don’t think I can put across what I do in 4 minutes and 15 seconds. I create an album that has it’s own world and it’s really difficult pulling one track out. It’s like having to pull one sibling out of a family and just bragging about them.
Do you still have any ambitions you’d still like to fulfil?
Molly Matthews, Croydon
There are thousands. To be a better person, to be kinder and improve as a performer and actor. I only compete with myself. My shows must always be better than the last one.
Did you fancy Cher when you sang with her?
Sarah Johnson, Co Durham
Fancy her in what way? As a girlfriend who I wanted to sleep with? God no! I never thought of her that way. We did all these promotional shoots together and I didn’t even realise she wasn’t wearing knickers until someone pointed it out to me.
What do you miss most when you’re on the road?
Louise Everson, London
I miss my home comforts. I’m only there eight weeks in 18 months so it’s the little things I miss.
How do you stay in shape?
Annie Walters, Sussex
I stick to a mainly vegetarian diet, but that’s difficult when you’re on the road. I put on about 10lb when I’m touring because there’s only junk food to eat after the concerts. I’ll gain weight by eating a tomato. I’ve been in London 45 days and gained 3lb. It’s freaking me out.
Which of your film roles are you most proud of?
Tania Henry, London
A movie called Focus and Spice World. No, only kidding! Focus and Crazy in Alabama. In Crazy in Alabama I play a racist redneck sheriff and I turned the role around. Everyone expects me to say Fight Club, but the other two roles were more complicated and developed as characters.
Is there anything you wouldn’t do for love?
Michelle Burton, Edinburgh
There are probably lots of things, but I don’t know what they are. That’s a stupid question – it’s trying to be clever and fun but it’s not.
Is it true that you turned down the lead role in The Phantom of the Opera?
Sara Peters, Devon
I certainly did because I hate that show. The Phantom of the Opera doesn’t hold anyone’s attention. I took five people to see it once and three of them fell asleep.
Who would you love to do a duet with?
Nicola McKenzie, Dublin
Placido Domingo because he wrote to me asking to do a duet and I should return the favour.
Where do you live and why?
Danielle James, Carlisle
California because of the weather.
How did you get your name?
Michaela Watson, York
My dad’s been calling me Meat since I was a baby. My family added the Loaf bit when I was six. I grew up in Texas, where people are called Bubba and Big Boy and keep those names all their lives.
Why did you become a veggie?
Nicky Johnston, Coventry
It was 1981. I ordered rabbit in a restaurant and it came skinned but with it’s gead and feet still there. I didn’t eat meat again for 10 years. I started eating it again because I wanted to go on the Atkins Diet, which is all protein. If I eat meat it’ll be a really lean piece, but those occasions are rare.
Does your daughter Pearl still do backing vocals for you?
Antonia Bowers, Surrey
Not any more. She did until recently, but now she’s trying to do her own thing.
How did you feel when you lost your voice?
Sarah Herbert, Peterborough
That rumour wasn’t true. I had a nervous breakdown and it was completely psychosomatic. There was nothing physically wrong. It was just a rebellion against the record company. They wanted a particular track to be released and I was fighting against it.
When are you next touring?
Janice Mitchell, Sheffield
I’m coming to the UK in November. Twelve shows have already been sold out, so we’re putting on extra ones to reach out to all the fans.
What can’t you leave the house without?
Vicky Sharp, Norwich
In LA you never leave the house without your driver’s licence and the one thing I can’t forget is my asthma spray. If I’m on the road I have to take my computer.
Are you an actor or a singer?
Jean Birchill, London
An actor! I don’t know how to sing. My mother always said: “Good thing you’re not going to be a singer.” So I developed characters who could sing.
What’s the last CD you bought?
Amy Watts, London
Pink’s album because she tells the truth. Most singers don’t. They’re trying to be controversial and write lyrics that they think the public wants to hear.
What’s your faveorite place?
Grace Meyer, London
It changes all the time, but there’s a street in (London’s) Holland Park that’s the most beautiful street in the world.
Do you have any hobbies?
Anneka Andrews, Heathrow
Internet sports. I love playing fantasy games on the ESPN site.
Does Bat Out of Hell still hold the record for the longest stay in the album charts?
Alison Ward, Leeds
I’ve no idea. As far as I know, no one’s beaten it.
Who’s you idol?
Esther Massey, Walton-on-Thames
My new idol is Peter O’Toole. He gave the most eloquent, beautiful and intelligent acceptance speech for his honorary Oscar that I’ve ever heard. When I get back to the US I’ll be ordering all his films and I’ll watch each at least 50 times because I’m so enthralled by him.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Mandie Sharp, Preston
It doesn’t make any difference who gets the credit as long as the job gets done.
What’s your home like?
Gillian Jefferies, Liverpool
Very traditional, unlike those crazy Osbournes. I have very classical furniture and style.
Love is…?
Jo Hunter, London
Never having to say you’re sorry.
Prize Question
Your first job was in the musical Hair. Did you mind going naked on stage and would you do it again?
Claudine Jackson, Edinburgh
It was my first professional stage performance and I didn’t go on stage nude. No I did not! It was an optional thing and an extra $12.50 a week if you went naked, so I decided not to go for the extra money.