I would like to preface my answers by saying that they are temporary and affected by and related to this time of year- the nostalgia of Christmas time, the pandemic that we have all been living with for the last 20 months and the morosity and reflection it brings. Certainly I would answer this questions quite differently in a joyful Springtime, if we had more lateral movement in our daily lives and if our planet and humanity was healthier and happier.

What is the best thing that I love about my work? Knowing that I suspend reality for the people watching me for 5, 10, 15 minutes… an hour, and making them smile and laugh.

What is my idea of happiness? Being able to freely and joyously do what I love to do.

Photo credit: Mily Serebrenik

What is my greatest fear? Failure to deliver what I think I can do.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Self-doubt

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? Dave Chappelle, Joni Mitchell, Tina Turner, Miles Davis, Patatchouille,

What is my greatest extravagance? Astounding Wine, Thai massages, vacations in Mexico and Thailand

On what occasion would I lie? To protect someone I cared about.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Stingy & Shifty Club-owners, Promoters, Producers

Photo credit: Mily Serebrenik

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? Now!

If I could, what would I change about myself? Add a coupla kilos more of hushtpa and intelligent, comic repartie. And a coupla kilos less of my winter tallow!

What is my greatest achievement in work? Touching people

Where would I most like to live? I live there actually. Montmartre.

What is my most treasured possession? My voice, but in all the senses of the word

What is my most marked characteristic? Being stubborn… for better or worse.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? The view from the top of Montmartre, overlooking Paris, in front of the Basilica

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? La Mascotte, El Nopal (I have become extremely local since the 1st confinement!)

What books influenced my life and how? Autobiography of a Yogi: because Paramahansa Yogananda is such a simple and humble humain being and yet his teachings are so deep and pure and important. He makes faith something that is incredibly accessible and more than often, playful, fun and joyful! The Dancing Wu Li Masters: Because it shines a new light on the spiritual beliefs that I gravitate towards and makes me feel reassured that I’m pointed in the right direction. The Music Lesson: It is of utmost necessity for me to believe in magic and magical episodes my life; especially induced by music.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Pat Metheny

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Charlotte (Charlotte’s Web)

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? BKS Iyengar, Dave Chappelle, Wanda Sykes, Martin Luther King, James Baldwin, Malala Yousafzai, Oprah Winfrey, Dame Edna

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? “A Beautiful Life”,

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me I honestly feel we hold a great part of our destiny in our own hands and imaginations. It is up to us to be brave enough and step out into what we want our life to be and to paint it with our own colours.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My creative partner in this project: Mily Serebrenik. She sees exactly what I see before I see it (and even better!) and she has an eye for the audacious and ridiculous that makes my heart jump up and down and that serves this project to a T!

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022?
Lee Delong
Jethro Massey
Aurelie Saada
Andree Deissenberg
Emmanuel Dorazio
POP Champagne
RuPaul
Dita von Teese
Netflix
Cirque du Soleil

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on? Taki Watanga’s One Woman Show

Where can you see me or my work in 2022? In cabarets, sidewalk cafés, theatres, private cocktail parties and in Taki’s ‘ShoeBox Théâtre’.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? If you have the fire in your heart and under your feet and ass, not even going to sleep is gonna stop you thinking about your thang! You’re on it 24/7. There is no such thing as closing time. You dream it at night!

How can you contact me?
takiwatangaparis@gmail.comlinktr.ee.com/TakiWatanga