Dua Lipa On: Radical Optimism, Falling On Stage, And “Writing Yourself Into A Good Idea”
May 3, 2024
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Dua Lipa, a Multi-Grammy winning singer-songwriter famed for her sultry vocals, shares her insights on radical optimism and resilience, especially after facing the unexpected challenge of falling on stage. She discusses her rigorous work ethic and daily practices like meditation to maintain mental health amid her busy life. Dua emphasizes the importance of collaboration in creativity, revealing it took her 97 songs to create her latest album. She also explores the value of self-compassion, saying, “You have to be shit to be good.”
Dua Lipa emphasizes radical optimism in her work, showcasing resilience even after falling on stage.
She values psychological safety in creativity, fostering an environment for diverse ideas and open dialogue.
Dua Lipa advocates for self-compassion in overcoming creative blocks, embracing imperfection on the journey to excellence.
Deep dives
Radical Optimism in Creativity
Dua Lipa discusses her album Radical Optimism, highlighting the concept of Radical Optimism and how it influenced her work. She shares insights on writing 97 songs to curate her album, emphasizing the importance of being adaptable and staying optimistic even during challenging times. Additionally, she mentions the collaborative process with Kevin Parker and the organic dance exploration that shaped the album's creation.
Spirituality and Energy
Dua Lipa reflects on her spiritual beliefs, mentioning her fascination with astrology, destiny, and the energy of signs and numbers. She discusses finding meaning in life experiences, such as meeting like-minded individuals or encountering repetitive numbers like 22, and how these instances influence her perspective on spirituality and energy in the world.
Maintaining Psychological Safety
Throughout the creative process of her album, Dua Lipa prioritizes psychological safety within her team, encouraging open expression and diverse perspectives. She values creating an environment where everyone feels free to contribute ideas, fostering creative exchanges and collective growth. By embracing individuality and promoting open dialogue, she ensures a harmonious and productive working dynamic.
Overcoming Creative Blocks
Dua Lipa shares her approach to overcoming creative blocks by embracing the journey of creation and allowing room for imperfection. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and patience, acknowledging that creativity takes time and involves iterations. By permitting a free flow of ideas and being gentle with herself on challenging days, she navigates through creative hurdles with resilience and optimism.
Empowering Self-Talk and Growth
In her creative process, Dua Lipa advocates for empowering self-talk and embracing the journey from imperfection to excellence. She underscores the value of being kind to oneself and recognizing moments of growth and progress in creative endeavors. By fostering a mindset of continual learning and self-encouragement, she navigates the ups and downs of creativity with grace and determination.
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Talking creativity and sanity with one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
British-Albanian singer-songwriter Dua Lipa emerged as a global pop sensation with her captivating blend of sultry vocals, empowering lyrics, and infectious beats. Born in London in 1995 to Albanian parents, Lipa's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by her father's own musical career. She hosts the podcast Dua Lipa: At Her Service, and her latest album is Radical Optimism.
In this episode we talk about:
What she means by radical optimism – and how it applied when she literally fell on stage
How she resists the temptation to fully armor herself
Her famous work ethic and packed schedule
Her non-negotiable daily practices, including meditation
Her social media hygiene (specially, how to stay sane when nearly 80 million people follow you on Instagram alone)
And we have a great conversation about creativity, including how she builds psychological safety with her team in studio and on tour
Why she had to write 97 songs to make this one album
And her concept of “writing herself into a good idea” – as she says, “You have to be shit to be good.”