THE PRESENTER ON HOW FOOD IS HER LOVE LANGUAGE
MIQUITA OLIVER
Although heat may have been interviewing Miquita Oliver since 2001 –when she became the host of Channel 4music show Popworld with Simon A mstell –there’s still plenty to talk about when we catch up.
These days, rather than interviewing pop stars in the studio, the presenter is more likely to be found working alongside her celeb chef mum Andi, chatting to guests from the comfort of their kitchen for their podcast Stirring It Up.
Here, Miquita, 39, fills us in on her 25-year career in the spotlight and the A-list friendships she’s made along the way….
You’ve interviewed alot of people in your career –any standouts?
Pharrell Williams was such alaugh. We got on really well, because he was obsessed with the fact that Iwas amixed-race girl who knew who Nirvana were. Will Smith was another great interviewee, because he’s such aclassic star. He was so honest and funny, and he made me better at my job.
Are you and Simon Amstell still close?
We’re best friends! One of the greatest gifts of Popworld was our relationship, because Inever would have met him otherwise. I’m still close with all of the people who I’ve worked with, like Steve Jones and Grimmy [Nick Grimshaw].
And now we’re all turning 40!
How are you feeling about the big 4-0?
It’s making me very reflective. Ineed to put my big -girl pants on. I’ve been scared about getting older since Iwas 17, but there’s areal opportunity at the
beginning of anew decade.
Will you have abig party to celebrate?
Why not? Lily [Allen]’s threatening me with along speech in honour of our friendship.
It’s crazy that you and Lily grew up together…
Lily is my family and my heart. We’ve known each other since birth because our mums are best friends. And now we’re working together on our podcast Miss Me?, which is amazing.
How do you maintain your transatlantic relationship?
Idon’t even feel like Lily lives in A merica, because we FaceTime so often. From the outside, our lives are very different �
