FIRST IMPRESSIONS: KATHERINE JENKINS
What are you working on?
Apart from being in the studio working on my new album, I am preparing the programme for my performance at Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons. It’s an intimate evening as part of the Martell Very Special Nights events. I love Raymond Blanc, we always have such a laugh, so I am really looking forward to it.
When are you at your happiest?
With my mum, dad and sister in our little touring caravan in France playing card games for pistachio nuts.
What is your greatest fear?
Cancer: I lost my father and my best friend to it.
What is your earliest memory?
My mum teaching me how to write my name.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I’m a perfectionist. It can be a good thing sometimes but it often drives me and everyone else crazy.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My mum. She’s a strong, independent lady. She’s worked hard and taught my sister and I that we could be anything we wanted if we are prepared to put the eff ort in.
What is your most treasured possession?
A locket with a picture of my dad inside.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Bad manners! They cost nothing... I can’t bear inconsiderate people.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
At 5ft 4in, people always meet me and tell me I’m tiny. I guess the long dresses make me appear so much taller.
What is your favourite book?
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon.
And your favourite film?
Forrest Gump.
What is your favourite piece of music?
The Welsh National Anthem.
What is your favourite meal?
Cockles and laver bread. Or a good old-fashioned roast dinner followed by chocolate molten cake.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
My family and friends. With all my travelling, I don’t get to see them enough. A meal and a good catch-up with them would be my perfect night.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
That I ran the London Marathon (in memory of my father and in aid of Macmillan) as a publicity stunt.
Do you believe in aliens?
I definitely think there must be something else out there.
What is your secret vice?
Probably Diet Coke… chocolate… and shoes.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, I think it’s nice to send and receive handwritten notes.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Fabulous! (It’s ‘Fablass’ in a Welsh accent.) I’m also not happy to have started saying ‘Awesome’ a lot due to the American [fiancé] in my life.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
More sleep.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I love cooking/baking – my bread is very popular among the family.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Beloved wife and mother. She sang a bit, too!’
Katherine Jenkins will perform at the Martell Very Special Nights event at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons on 25 July 2014. To win tickets, visit www.martellveryspecialnights.com
Apart from being in the studio working on my new album, I am preparing the programme for my performance at Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons. It’s an intimate evening as part of the Martell Very Special Nights events. I love Raymond Blanc, we always have such a laugh, so I am really looking forward to it.
When are you at your happiest?
With my mum, dad and sister in our little touring caravan in France playing card games for pistachio nuts.
What is your greatest fear?
Cancer: I lost my father and my best friend to it.
What is your earliest memory?
My mum teaching me how to write my name.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I’m a perfectionist. It can be a good thing sometimes but it often drives me and everyone else crazy.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My mum. She’s a strong, independent lady. She’s worked hard and taught my sister and I that we could be anything we wanted if we are prepared to put the eff ort in.
What is your most treasured possession?
A locket with a picture of my dad inside.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Bad manners! They cost nothing... I can’t bear inconsiderate people.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
At 5ft 4in, people always meet me and tell me I’m tiny. I guess the long dresses make me appear so much taller.
What is your favourite book?
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon.
And your favourite film?
Forrest Gump.
What is your favourite piece of music?
The Welsh National Anthem.
What is your favourite meal?
Cockles and laver bread. Or a good old-fashioned roast dinner followed by chocolate molten cake.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
My family and friends. With all my travelling, I don’t get to see them enough. A meal and a good catch-up with them would be my perfect night.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
That I ran the London Marathon (in memory of my father and in aid of Macmillan) as a publicity stunt.
Do you believe in aliens?
I definitely think there must be something else out there.
What is your secret vice?
Probably Diet Coke… chocolate… and shoes.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, I think it’s nice to send and receive handwritten notes.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Fabulous! (It’s ‘Fablass’ in a Welsh accent.) I’m also not happy to have started saying ‘Awesome’ a lot due to the American [fiancé] in my life.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
More sleep.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I love cooking/baking – my bread is very popular among the family.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Beloved wife and mother. She sang a bit, too!’
Katherine Jenkins will perform at the Martell Very Special Nights event at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons on 25 July 2014. To win tickets, visit www.martellveryspecialnights.com