Eleven-time Grammy award winner Brandi Carlile has revealed she's currently experiencing the happiest period of her life, describing it as a "sweet spot" where everything aligns perfectly.
Finding Happiness in Family and Career
The 44-year-old American singer-songwriter, who recently released her eighth studio album Returning to Myself, shared intimate details about her personal life during a revealing interview. Carlile lives in Washington state with her wife and their two young daughters, and attributes her current contentment to several key factors.
"I'm the happiest right now," Carlile stated. "I can see that I'm in a kind of sweet spot: my parents are alive, my kids are little, my wife is hot and my body doesn't hurt." This refreshing honesty characterises much of her approach to life and career.
Confronting Past Regrets and Stage Anxiety
Despite her current happiness, Carlile didn't shy away from discussing more challenging aspects of her life. She expressed particular regret about her behaviour as a school bully, revealing this remains a source of guilt that she actively addresses.
"To kids I bullied in school - I have apologised and I will continue to," she confessed. "To repay those things karmically, I will watch my kids' hearts like a hawk for signs of hardening or any distortions of empathy that they might develop."
The musician also opened up about experiencing a severe panic attack during a performance in her twenties, which forced her to leave the stage. "Hearing the audience angry" remains one of her most embarrassing moments, demonstrating that even successful artists face significant performance anxiety.
Defying Beauty Standards and Embracing Self
In a particularly striking comment that's likely to resonate with UK audiences, Carlile made a humorous observation about British beauty standards. When asked what she dislikes about her appearance, she responded: "I actually like the way I look, which I think is against the law in the UK."
This witty remark highlights her hard-won self-acceptance and serves as a subtle commentary on cultural differences in body image and self-perception between the US and UK.
Carlile's career continues to flourish with notable collaborations, including her work with music legend Elton John. Their joint album Who Believes in Angels? was released this year, and their song Never Too Late received an Oscar nomination, adding to her impressive collection of eleven Grammy awards.
Beyond her musical achievements, Carlile has established the charitable Looking Out Foundation and published a memoir, showcasing her commitment to using her platform for positive impact while maintaining an authentic connection with her audience through candid reflections on life's complexities.
