Chill Chat
The TV presenter on self-care, nudity, and her new podcast.
Every day looks vastly different forAnna Richardson.
Over and above,Naked Attractionis about acceptance, Richardson tells Bustle.
Ahead of her new advice-based podcastIt Cant Just Be Me, Richardson shares her grounding self-care routine.
Do you have any go-to rituals you turn to in hectic times?
I have had a lot of psychotherapy over my life in the past, Ive suffered a lot withanxietyanddepression.
That started a journey of me realizing that I needed a toolkit to help me in difficult times.
I have regular psychotherapy as needed.
I needed to place some people around me.
I needed to dodaily mindfulness meditationto really stay grounded.
What do you like to do to relax?
A lot of my relaxation comes from listening to things and watching things.
Who would be yourdream agony aunt?
Paul OGrady, God rest his soul.
He was always really lovely.
I first met him in 1989, in Manchester, when he wasLily Savage.
[Richardson was previously in arelationship with fellow broadcaster Sue Perkinsuntil 2021.]
How were those conversations?
Ranjon, who has such an interesting story.
Hes Sikh and was very much encouraged to get married, settle down, and have a family.
He fell in love with a woman and got married, but something was missing.
Ultimately, their marriage ended, and he subsequently came out as queer.
It was really interesting to hear his take on the spectrum of queerness and homosexuality.
What was sex education like for you growing up?
It was just very biological and woeful.
Thats why, no doubt, I ended up being pregnant as a student.
There was very little support at the time.
We haveto touch onNaked Attraction.
Did any contestants leave a lasting impact on you?
Theres been a couple of standout memories.
Also Brian, who had never had a date and had never had sex with a lady.
He decided to come onNaked Attraction, was hit by six vulvas, and basically almost fainted.
We had to stop recording and let him recover.
Youre surrounded by a lot of naked people day to day.
I have seen so many vulvas, boobs, testicles, willies you name it.
Its biology at the end of the day and it really doesnt matter.
At parties, Ill be nodding along and thinking: I imagine that youre probably circumcised.
Ive got a superpower where I can kind of undress people.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onMay 3, 2023
