Home is...
Still London! I have two homes now, but I would say it’s London, for sure.
What is your earliest memory of London?
Hammersmith bus station always comes to mind, because I got dropped off there to go to school. I got introduced to Millie’s Cookies there — that was a good time — Claire’s accessories, McDonald’s. If I passed a spelling test, I’d get a Beanie Baby every now and then from Cards Galore.
Most memorable meal?
I went to Kiln the other day, that was insane. Memorable because it was the spiciest food I’ve ever had.
Which shops do you rely on?
I love Rellik vintage. And it’s so expensive, but I really like the Notting Hill Fish Shop.
How do you like to get around?
I drive or walk. I’ve been driving in London since I was 19 because I went to Brunel University, and I was like ‘I need to pass my driving test because I can’t bear one more day on the Metropolitan line’ — the worst line on the face of the planet.
Best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
My sister and I stayed out so late the other night, we were coming home at something ridiculous like eight in the morning — and the cabbie who had dropped us off another time remembered us because we’re Ghanaian. Another time, my sister’s boyfriend’s dog is called Taxi, so we were calling the dog — ‘Taxi! Taxi!’ — and this cab pulled up, ‘I’m here! I’m here!’
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
If I had the whole of Park Lane to myself, do some drag-racing around that and then go into the park and do some doughnuts.
Best place for a first date?
I quite like the cinema because then you don’t have to talk. Oh and the Tate, because you’re walking around.
If you could buy any building and live there, which would it be?
Jo Malone Townhouse, who wouldn’t want it? But I’d have to have all the furniture too.
Where do you go to let your hair down?
I love karaoke. The K-Hole on Kingsland High Street is a favourite. We’ll do Robbie Williams, ‘Rock DJ’ — that’s usually my go-to.
I was like, ‘I need to pass my driving test because I can’t bear one more day on the Metropolitan line
What is the first thing you do when you land back in London?
I travel so much that they ask me on the plane now if I should join them as an air hostess. I’m the type of person who has to reclaim space when I get back somewhere, so I do a lot of moving things around — it doesn’t matter if the house is really tidy.
Favourite spots for beauty treatments?
111 Skin is great. And Ama nails. I’m really bad at upkeep, I do quite a lot of stuff at home.
What do you collect?
All sorts: magnets, stickers, Hello Kitty stuff. Knick-knacks.
Favourite work of art in London?
Can I have a building? I’d probably say Trellik Tower is my favourite thing.
What are you up to for work?
The podcast is up and running, I want to make it really special and have conversations with people who I don’t necessarily agree with. I don’t want it to be samey-samey, or just having unrelatable people because that brings numbers. I’m doing a whole rebrand for Gurls Talk. A lot of auditioning. I just finished filming something.
What makes someone a Londoner?
I think our appreciation for good weather...
Adwoa Aboah is Jo Malone London’s Global Ambassador
