Under the microscope

CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS?

I CAN. I run two or three times a week and can do 10K. Since the Covid pandemic started I’ve also had weekly ballet lessons with an ex-Royal Ballet dancer, which I’m really enjoying.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOU?

I GOT Covid in Georgia this summer, but had light symptoms. I’m sad about having to cancel tours but since I was 18 it’s just been making records, touring, promoting — and repeat, and I’ve recalibrated. I’m not sure I want things to return to how they were.

GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?

I DO, I’m not religious about it though. My mum lives close to me and her Georgian cooking is out of this world.

EVER DIETED?

IN MY 20s I used to get wound up about having thick arms but looking back at the photos they were fine. I’m 155cm [just over 5ft] and I’m about 57 kg [8 st 13 lb] which I’m happy with.

ANY VICES?

I’M NOT into alcohol as I just don’t like not feeling fresh and alive. My biggest vice is procrastination.

WORST ILLNESS?

I WAS in hospital for six weeks in 2010 with a breakdown, but physically I’ve been fine.

POP ANY PILLS?

I TAKE vitamins for hair and nails and lipoic acid, which breaks down carbs.

HAD ANYTHING REMOVED?

I HAD some moles on my back and side removed — they were benign, but the doctors didn’t like their shape.

EVER HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY?

I’VE always said never, but when I had the moles removed — in a cosmetic clinic — I saw they can extract fat from your arms. Now I ‘never say never’.

COPE WELL WITH PAIN?

I’M AVERAGE. My dad is a doctor so I used to read his surgery books growing up and look at weird things.

TRIED ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES?

I’M QUITE trusting of mainstream medicine, though I do meditate.

EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?

ACTUALLY no. When I had the breakdown I wasn’t diagnosed with depression. I had a psychotic episode which was caused by lots of pressures: too much travel, work. Since then I’ve been OK, although as a writer, I do explore the sadness in me.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?

THE question of when to have a baby. I’m 37 and would like a family, so I’ve frozen my eggs as a back-up. The other night I woke up thinking, ‘Oh my God, when it is going to happen?’.

ANY PHOBIAS?

I FIND frogs really frightening. ■ ACOUSTIC Album no. 8 is released on november 26th; katiemelua.com