Real dilemmas; real solutions. From our real-life super-heroes. This issue: former Royal Ballet Soloist Eric Underwood has a crush on Oprah Winfrey and is thankful for not fitting in
Q What makes you feel wild?
A Learning.
Q Learning.
A I’m working on a project that will address plastic in our oceans.
Q Where does your soul most happily reside: city, countryside, or both?
A Both.
Q The DJ fails to show up. What’s your go-to track to get everyone dancing?
A Prince – I Wanna Be Your Lover.
Q Who is the hero or heroine you’d be tongue-tied to find yourself sitting next to at a dinner?
A Barack Obama. I would tell him that he has incredible leadership skills, charisma and intellect and I would love to know who inspired him.
Q The message to your younger self?
A Don’t worry, not fitting in will come in handy a few years from now.
Q Which world conflict would you like to see resolved first and how would you do it?
A I’m not certain solving one world conflict before another is as important as starting from a place of compassion and love. I believe those two qualities are the drivers that will create a space for change.
Man about town: Eric takes a stroll near his North London home
Q You’re on a raft adrift in the ocean and the sharks are circling. Who is your companion to get you to shore safely – and who would you feed to the sharks?
A If I were on a raft adrift in the ocean and two sharks were circling, my companion would be the person who is the most optimistic about our survival. I would throw whoever is more pessimistic about our survival to the sharks. Belief is everything!
Q What do you look for in a deputy?
A Honesty and loyalty. Those are the most important qualities for me.
Q What’s the key requirement for a lifetime partner of the romantic kind?
A Ultimately it would be a wild sense of passion.
Q What’s the retirement plan?
A I love to work so honestly I don’t have any plans to ever retire.
Q What’s your favourite lazy-at-home dish to cook?
A I love making mac & cheese on rainy days.
Q Career advice for the Eric wannabes?
A To not be afraid to create your own path.
Q What do you wish you had said to someone who has departed this earth? And what do you wish they had said to you?
A I’d like to think the love shared between humans transcends beyond life and death, so there’s no need for regrets or last words.
Q The last time you prayed, who did you pray to and were your prayers answered?
A I don’t pray to any particular god. I’m always wishing for more love, compassion and humanity on earth.
Q Who do you currently have a crush on?
A Oprah Winfrey and Meryl Streep. They’re both brilliant.
Q What would your Tinder profile say?
A Due to unforeseen circumstances, I’m unable to communicate with you in person but please refer to my Instagram for pics and Twitter for my thoughts. If you’re still interested, please provide information for a background check. Sorry we live in a digital era hahaha!
Q What superhero power would you most like to have and why?
A I’d love to have the power of telepathy. Life would just be so much easier.
Q Where do you get your therapy from?
A I get the best therapy and advice at my local barber shop.
Q Your book at bedtime?
A I’d say that I usually scroll through Instagram before going to bed. I’d rather read during the day when I’m more alert and can enjoy the book.
QYour epitaph?
A He lived in light and died in love…
Q What did you learn from the toughest time in your life?
A Resilience! The tough times have taught me that I can be very strong when I need to be.
Q And from the happiest?
A I’m learning how to cherish the happiest moments in my life and I’m discovering the meaning of true happiness.
Q You’re blowing out the candles on the birthday cake. What one thing do you wish for?
A When I’m trying to get those candles in one fell swoop, I always wish for more creativity, love and opportunity for myself and my loved ones for the oncoming year.
