FKA twigs Covers Latest Issue of PAPER Magazine
She talks meeting Prince, Taylor Swift’s “friendship model,” and areas she wants to improve on.

Dancer-artist-singer FKA twigs is featured as the cover star of PAPER Magazine’s latest issue. In this intimate conversation, the UK songstress shares about her peers and artistic processes over a meal of steamed fish, vegetables and cake. Topics she visited in the interview consists of meeting and playing ping-pong with Prince, not needing to be friends with Taylor Swift, areas she wants to improve in, and much more. Read a few highlights below and head over to PAPER’s site for the full feature.
On meeting Prince
TWIGS: Probably Marlon Brando or someone like that. Even then, half those people were dead, so I knew the limitations of that relationship. I’ve never had that, “Oh my god, I’ve gotta wait backstage!” There is one person: I met Prince when he did a little show at Paisley Park in Minneapolis, where I supported him. I was a little bit like, “Wow. I met Prince.” Because he is, obviously, so epic. But even then, he just gave me some black currant juice and we played table tennis.
On Taylor Swift’s “friendship” model
TWIGS: I think Taylor Swift is great, but I wouldn’t necessarily think, “Oh my god, I have to be friends with her.” When I meet fans, they’re quite creative and intelligent, kind, sensitive. Some are old ladies, witch doctors from Louisiana, kids that have just left art school. Gay or lesbian couples, straight middle-aged couples…
On areas to improve in
TWIGS: Probably writing songs, or producing. Or classical dancing, contemporary dancing. Vogueing. I need to get better at being in front of the camera, not feeling awkward if I go on the red carpet. Or when it’s one of those moments where you’re suddenly the center of attention. It’s fine like this — if you’re talking to me, I don’t feel awkward. But if it’s loads of people, like, “twigs! twigs!” I don’t… I need to get better at that. I need to get better at talking to people in groups. If I go to a party or dinner party, not feeling like I have to be really quiet. I need to get better at texting people back. I need to get better at relaxing. I don’t get much time off, but even if I get one evening, I’m like, “I will hand wash everything I own.”