James Corden: ‘I’ve lost 70lb!’
James Corden, 38, talks about how he lost 5st and why Carpool Karaoke is such a huge success...
Nobody can harmonise in a car like James Corden. He’s the Brit boy who’s hit the big time in the US on The Late
Late Show by getting celebs to sing along in his car. And he’s proved so successful that he’s been given a new spin-off series!
The uber-healthy Californian life is clearly agreeing with him, too. As anyone who’s followed his career from the early days will know, the James Corden of today is a shadow of his former, chunkier self.
He confirmed as much last September, revealing, ‘I’ve lost 70lb! I want to lose another 30lb, maybe two stone, by the time I’m 40 – that’s two years away.’
And the Londoner’s been losing the weight by doing three fitness classes each week. ‘It’s something called PlyoJam – dance using plyometrics [ jump training].’ He’s a far cry from the podgy schoolkid who would use humour to hit back at bullies who called him fat.
James previously revealed, ‘If you’re big at school, you’re going to be a target. If you go to school and you’re me, you go, “Right, I’m just going to make myself a bigger target. My confidence will terrify them.”’
Here, the seriously trimmed-down 38-yearold chats about his new TV show on Apple Music (which involves musical stars like Alicia Keys, Miley Cyrus and Will Smith), family life, and where he sees himself in 10 years’ time...
So, James, do you have a favourite Carpool Karaoke?
In terms of pure enjoyment? Bruno Mars. Just to be singing Bruno Mars songs in a car with him, I adored it! But I can take something from all of them that I’ll never, ever forget.
What makes a great Carpool guest?
Well, you want someone who is very comfortable and relaxed being themselves. Someone who will, with joyous abandon, throw themselves into the ridiculousness of singing at the top of their voice in a car. Someone who just... goes for it.
Who were you most nervous working with?
The Red Hot Chili Peppers – we’d never done it with a band before, or with four people. And, my God, I got out of that car thinking, ‘If I could do that again now, I would do it,’ because I’d never had more fun than with those guys. They were unreal. I felt like I was in the band.
Do you have any advice for Carpool Karaoke virgins?
I’d say, ‘This is only a waste of time if you don’t enjoy it. If it’s bad and you’ve enjoyed it, then it’s great you’ve had a great time.’ That unbridled freedom of singing in a car is the glue that holds it all together.
How are your driving skills at such times?
It’s easy, you mostly drive in a straight line, and you are in a convoy of a few cars. Our rules are, just drive as straight as you can away from the sun, turn around and come back.
Have you always been a big music fan?
It’s always been there. Dad was a musician in the Air Force, his father was a musician, and his father, too. Music has been with me through the ups and downs. If there are moments of heartache or sadness, sometimes there are songs and artists that feel like they’re reaching out a hand to you and saying, ‘ You are not on your own with this.’
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Woah, that’s deep! I hope I’m happy. I always find it odd when anyone’s got any other answer to that. I think it’s strange to go, ‘Oh, I’d like to be here, or there...’ and you think, ‘ Yeah, but careful what you wish for sometimes.’ Happiness is all I really care about.
Do you want to do more acting?
I’d love to, but right now my job is quite restrictive. And it’s not like I’m sitting pining to [do that], that would be a bit silly! I’m really enjoying what I’m doing.
As a dad, too, how do you squeeze it all in?
Actually, the days I’m least fulfilled are the easiest days, because I don’t really get that much out of just sitting. I enjoy a variety of creative things and it can get overwhelming. But mostly I consider it an honour to feel tired.
Carpool Karaoke: The Series is on Apple Music now