Judi Love - Mad Hatter Q&A: "Life is too short, and energy is too precious, to spend milestone moments making polite small talk with people who don’t truly know me"

Who would be the last person you would invite to your birthday party?
Someone I have absolutely no connection with. Life is too short, and energy is too precious, to spend milestone moments making polite small talk with people who don’t truly know me.

Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?
My closest inner circle. The ride-to-live people who see me, support me, and bring pure, unfiltered joy into my life.

Favourite song?
‘Human Nature’ by Michael Jackson. The melody, the production, and the sheer vulnerability in his vocals.

Favourite book?
And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. It is a literary masterclass in resilience, grace, and unapologetic self-love.

Favourite film?
Love Jones. The poetry, the soundtrack, and the effortless chemistry between Darius and Nina...

Favourite author?
Maya Angelou. Her ability to capture the pain, triumph, and sheer beauty of the human experience using simple-yet-incredibly powerful language is unmatched.

Favourite actress?
Angela Bassett, Viola Davis and Sarah Lancashire. A trio of absolute powerhouses.

Favourite musician?
Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo and PJ Morton. Lauryn brings the raw truth and lyricism, D’Angelo the ultimate groove and sensuality, and PJ Morton that pure, church-honed, feel-good musicality.

Favourite food/drink/stimulant?
Ceviche. There is nothing better than fresh, perfectly cured fish with that bright, citrusy lime kick and a bit of spice.

Favourite TV programme?
Insecure. Issa Rae captured the beautiful messiness of navigating friendships, careers, and love in your twenties and thirties.

Favourite TV personality?
Alison Hammond. She is pure, infectious joy in human form.

Favourite item of clothing?
Denim shorts are the ultimate staple of comfort and effortless style.

Most desirable date?
The one where I feel a genuine, effortless connection. If the conversation flows, the laughter is real, and the energy aligns, that is the perfect date.

Favourite method of relaxation?
A full-body massage. There is nothing quite like completely shutting off your brain and letting go of the physical tension you carry.

If you weren’t pursuing your present career, what other career might you have chosen?
A midwife or a therapist. Both are about guiding people through profound, deeply vulnerable transitions in life .

Biggest thrill?
A night out with the girls in a completely different country. There is an unmatched sense of freedom and adventure when you’re exploring a new city.

Your concept of heaven?
A state of being where anxiety, worry and fear do not exist.

Your concept of hell?
A place where people are disconnected from one another, unable to feel compassion and constantly divided.

Greatest ambition?
Becoming a parent. To bring life into this world, and to guide a child with love, wisdom, and patience is the most profound and fulfilling legacy I could hope to build.

Which period of history would you most like to have lived in, and why?
The ‘70s revolutionary era. There was such a powerful, unapologetic shift in culture, music, fashion and social justice. People were demanding change, all while looking incredibly stylish and listening to some of the best music ever made.

If you weren’t a human being, which animal would you choose to be?
An elephant. They are majestic, incredibly intelligent and fiercely loyal.

If you were told the world was ending tomorrow morning, how would you react/what would you do?
I would gather my children close, hold them tight, and spend my final hours surrounded by love, praying and preparing our souls for whatever comes next.

Biggest fear?
Wasting time. Time is the one resource we can never get back.

Humanity’s most useful invention?
The ability to grow food. It is the very foundation of human survival.

Humanity’s most useless invention?
Processed food. We took the beautiful, nourishing gifts of the earth and stripped them of their value, replacing them with chemicals and preservatives that compromise our health.

• Judi Love brings her brand-new All About The Love show to the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin on Friday, September 4.