The Voice UK ’s Meghan Trainor tells us why she’s giving herself nothing but love
The Voice judge tells Gemma Calvert why she’s all about acceptance as well as that bass these days
In the cocktail bar of a swanky west London hotel, Meghan Trainor collapses into a leather armchair, sheds her oversized faux fur coat and lets her sweatshirt do the talking. Written across her chest in bright pink and turquoise letters, are the words, “Treat People With Kindness.” Highly appropriate given the superstar musician’s caring big-sister vibe on The Voice UK.
“It takes zero effort to be nice to someone and to strangers,” says Meghan, alluding to the words on her hoodie – which is from Harry Styles’ Fine Line apparel range – and setting the tone for her gorgeously honest interview with heat.
And she has plenty things to talk about. One year into her marriage to Spy Kids actor Daryl Sabara – they wed on her 25th birthday – Meghan is living her best life. Not only is she crazy in love, she’s also understandably stoked about her career. Her new role as coach on The Voice, (she replaced fellow US singer and Cats star Jennifer Hudson, in January) was, she says, a “bucket list” achievement, and last month, she released her long-awaited third album Treat Myself.
At just 26 years old, Meghan has already spent six years in the spotlight. Her 2014 debut single All About That Bass reached No1 in 58 different countries and urged us to “bring back booty”, cementing Meghan as an icon for female empowerment. Now, with over 10.5million Instagram followers, she is one of the most influential pop stars on the planet.
But through the smiles and success, Meg has also endured her share of struggles. Here, she opens up about mental health, body confidence and The Voice coach who’s stolen her heart…
Meghan, you’re killing it on The Voice! Do you prefer making music or recording TV shows? I love TV, especially when it’s talking about music and it’s a singing talent show. And I especially love The Voice’s message, because it’s about the pure talent. Which coach do you get on best with? They’ve all been very welcoming. I’ve been hearing legendary stories from Tom [Jones], but Will and I are like children, just the way we get along. Of course, Olly [Murs] is my new best friend, and Emma [Willis, the show’s presenter] is the sweetest woman ever. Poor girl, she has to be there with the contestants’ families when they’re devastated, so she has it the hardest. The track Nice To Meet Ya on your new album seems to be about not feeling good enough. Can you explain? I used to feel like that. I used to care way too much. I filtered myself out, thinking that I wasn’t enough, but now I’m giving myself nothing but love. Yes, girl! What were you like during your school years? I was always social. My older brother was very popular, so I was “Trainor’s sister” for a while and I had a fine time. I wasn’t bullied or picked on, but I was uncomfortable, mostly with my body. I didn’t know how to wear make-up, how to dress myself. I wore scarves to cover my double chin even when it was 90 degrees in the room. Back then, there were no Instagram make-up tutorials. What did that experience teach you about yourself? That it wasn’t about what I looked like, that people liked me for me. That’s the only thing that really continued throughout my career. What’s really awesome – and has been the coolest part of all this – is people going up to my parents and saying, “You raised an awesome kid.” That’s the biggest compliment ever. I don’t want anyone to be like, “Wow, she sucked!”
Are you deliberately non-diva-ish to ensure people like you? No, I’ve definitely requested a different hotel room. If the air conditioning’s broken, I need a whole new set up! Your breakthrough track, All About That Bass, became a global anthem. Do people still talk about it everywhere you go? Even on The Voice, the crowd are like, “I’m all about the bass!” It’s amazing that song is how I still relate to people everywhere. I can’t really believe it.
Three years ago, you had surgery on your vocal cords and subsequently suffered anxiety. How were you able to deal with it? I got to take time off, and I got married. I try to be healthy and work out as much as I can – except on holidays and birthdays! When people say, “We’re going to talk about your anxiety,” I’m like, “But I crushed that!” I’m so much better now. Were you a worrier as a kid? Yeah. When all that stuff was going down, my dad was like, “You’ve always been anxious, this isn’t new.” And I was like, “But this level is new.” I’ve always had this nerves thing where I pick the skin off my fingers. I think it’s because I play the guitar and I get calluses. I asked a hypnotist if she could help and she said, “You can stop someone buying cigarettes at the store, but if your finger is that accessible, that’s a whole other level.”
‘I used to think none of my dreams could come true’
What would 25-year-old Meghan want to say to teenage Meghan? I would play her the songs on my album and be like, “It’s OK,” especially Babygirl. I wrote that to my middle-school self, when everyone was like, “If you have a dream, believe in it and do it.” But I was thinking, “That’s just not going to happen, so I’m going to figure out some other way.” I was always thinking, “What’s my plan B?” You didn’t think your music dream would happen? I was like, “I’m too shy,” and, “How am I going to dance onstage?” I didn’t think any of my dreams could come true. You clearly make your mental health a priority. How do you help your own team to do the same? All the gifts that I give them are massages, because all these human beings need is time. I’ll be like, “Hey, go to bed! Stop being awake.” If I can give them a gift, I’ll give them rest.
You’ve had therapy. What did you discover about yourself that was particularly eye-opening? That I have a really bad problem with comparing myself to other people. I think it was because, in high school, Instagram blew up and ever since then… I can’t imagine what kids are feeling like growing up now, being on Instagram so young. I was rattled, and it’s beyond, “Who’s prettier?” It’s, “Why don’t I have all the things they have?” Or, “Why isn’t my career at their level?” Do you have social-media detoxes? I have in the past and it’s been great. My new favourite thing is watching Dr Phil [Mcgraw, a clinical psychologist and TV personality in the US] on Youtube. That’s my therapy. Do you feel pressure to be as honest and relatable as possible on social media? I don’t ever feel pressure. I’ve only been myself, so if this is what people are digging and it helps them feel better, that’s great. Sometimes they’re going through some real tough shit. One girl was like, “My aunt just died of cancer,” and posted about it. It’s a great way for me to go in and say, “I’m here for you, I’m so sorry this happened.” Other girls will say, “Excuse my ugliness in this picture, but I had to post.” And I’m like, “Don’t say you’re ugly, you’re beautiful.” When I grew up, there wasn’t stuff like that. I couldn’t talk to Christina Aguilera. It feels powerful, important and great to be able to connect to them, to give them some kind of hope. A like on their page gives them all the joy in the world. Your husband Daryl clearly brings you so much joy – how do you sustain a strong relationship in the public eye? I don’t think it’s any different to a relationship that’s not in the public eye. He’s my best friend and I want to make sure he’s happy, and if I can change something or do something that makes him happy, I will. We have a special love. Everyone who meets us says, “You’re soulmates.” You’re a poster girl for normal-sized women. What’s your relationship like with your body? I’ve had trainers, nutritionists – I’m just bigger, build-wise. It’s just my genetics. It’s all about acceptance. I’m doing the curve, hourglass thing. Where is home for you? I’m from the east coast – that’s why I love London, because it reminds me of the cold. I live in Los Angeles now and it just feels like vacationland. My house is amazing. I’m so lucky I get to live with my brothers [Ryan and Justin] and my four dogs, so it’s my happy place. One side of the house is the boys’ and the other side is for Daryl and me. We can see the makings of a reality TV show… Right? Many people have met with us and said, “We want to do a show.” But, so far, it’s never happened. ■
Treat Myself is out now. Watch Meghan on The Voice UK, ITV Saturday evenings