Sonia burst onto the radio and into our hearts in 1989 with her number one single You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You. Her first gay club was LA2 and she’s back at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern this Thursday (26 Apr).
Where are you from originally?
I was born in Liverpool, which I am very proud of.
And where do you live now?
I live close to Chester now, which is not very far from Liverpool, with my husband Mark and daughter Gracie, who lives to dance and sing. She has two rabbits and a hamster.
What do you love about Liverpool and why?
I love Liverpool because I was born there and the Liverpool people have a great sense of humour and are very down to earth. We have so many talented people and entertainers that come from here and made Liverpool a centre for music and the arts.
What was the first gay venue you visited?
I’m not sure if it was the first, but the LA2 club at the Astoria, which went on to become G-A-Y, was the first gay club I can remember playing at in the early 90s. The atmosphere that night was amazing. Jeremy Joseph is so lovely.
You’re back at The RVT this week, what is it you like about the venue and performing there?
I love performing there because it has a great history and the crowd is so lovely and supportive. We have a ball in that wonderful intimate place.
What was the last theatre show and what did you think of it?
The last theatre show I saw was The Lion King. It was brilliant with so many amazing performers. It’s a great show.
What is the greatest pop record ever made?
The greatest pop record ever made has to be Thriller by Michael Jackson; just hit after hit on that album. At the time it was such a phenomenon and it still holds up today. He was a genius.
What is your guilty pleasure and why?
My guilty pleasure is a nice glass of Chardonnay and watching re-runs of Bullseye in bed late at night. It takes me back to when I was younger when my mum and dad used to have it on.
Biggest extravagance?
I’m not an extravagant person. I have a lovely life, I’m very happy and I have everything I need.
Best gift you’ve ever received and why?
The best gift was giving birth to my beautiful daughter Gracie. She is our whole world.
What has been the highlight of your career so far and why?
The highlight of my career so far was being on Top of the Pops at number one in the charts. I always watched and everyone dreamt of being on it. I was living my dream.
If you could go back in time which year would you choose and why?
If I could go back in time I would go back to when I met my husband over 30 years ago and do it all over again. I love him so much.
What’s the best party you’ve ever been to and what made it so good?
That would be the PWL Christmas party at the National History Museum in the late 80s. It was my first time in London and Pete Waterman sat me next to Rick Astley and introduced me as his next big thing. It was so exciting.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Life is what you make it, always make your own luck.
Who are the most entertaining people you follow on social media and why?
I follow a few people on Twitter but the funniest is a musician friend called Pete Faint. He’s not famous but comes up with some funny tweets.
Where in the world would you like to visit before you die and why?
I would like to visit Australia. I’ve been to many places, but Australia has so far eluded me.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you were younger?
Ooh there are so many, but life is an unpredictable journey and you just have to go with the flow.
Sonia is at The RVT this Thursday (26 Apr) at 372 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11.
Book tickets at vauxhalltavern.com
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