Sir Patrick Stewart, the beloved British actor, recently made a highly anticipated appearance on the renowned talk show, The Late Late Show with James Corden. During his conversation with Corden, Stewart revealed an interesting tidbit about his pre-show routine, which involves reciting a personal mantra.
Corden expressed his delight at having Stewart back on the show after a long absence, to which Stewart humorously replied, “I haven’t seen you for 18 months, and my life has been poorer for it. It’s so dark, isn’t it? When you don’t see me, I know, and when I don’t see you, suddenly there’s a light in the studio. Thank you for being here; we’re so happy to have you.”
The conversation then shifted to Stewart’s mantra, which he recites before going on stage or in front of an audience. The acclaimed actor shared that for many years, he would try to do what the director wanted, finding success when he repeated the director’s instructions night after night. However, he had an epiphany and realized that he wasn’t truly giving himself to the performance.
Stewart explained that the important aspect of being on stage is living in the moment, recognizing that each moment with the audience is unique and has never happened before. He revealed his mantra by saying, “I don’t give a…” This empowering phrase allows him to free himself from the limitations of trying to meet everyone else’s expectations and instead focus on his own instincts and desires.
Corden expressed his enthusiasm for Stewart’s mantra, loving the audacity behind the words. Stewart further elaborated that the phrase worked wonders for him, as it allowed him to break free from the constraints of continually trying to please others. He mentioned that he used the mantra not only before going on stage but also before important scenes when filming.
The conversation took a lighthearted turn as Corden playfully mentioned that it was Stewart’s 8th wedding anniversary, and he was spending it with them on the show. The audience erupted in laughter and applause, and Stewart joked that his wife was “very, very happy” about his appearance on the show but also acknowledged that he wouldn’t be good company for the rest of the evening due to his early wake-up time.
Corden then surprised Stewart by inviting a special guest, Lucian, whom Stewart’s wife had a history with. It turns out that Lucian is a musician and singer-songwriter, and he and Stewart’s wife knew each other from their time in Brooklyn 20 years ago. The unexpected reunion brought joy to both Stewart and the audience.
The conversation shifted yet again as Corden mentioned Stewart’s recent venture into writing. During the lockdown, the actor started working on his autobiography, a project that he initially had reservations about due to being a non-writer. However, Stewart’s agent encouraged him to give it a try, given the unique circumstances. To his surprise, Stewart found the process to be extraordinary and therapeutic.
Stewart revealed that he has written an impressive 274 pages so far, covering events up until 1987. He expressed his excitement about delving into his childhood, which was difficult and often filled with fear. It was the first time he openly wrote about these experiences and reflected on how they shaped him as an actor. Stewart found writing to be a form of therapy, allowing him to explore his past and make sense of his career and encounters.
During the interview, it became evident that Stewart’s autobiography would be a captivating and insightful read. Corden couldn’t contain his excitement and expressed his certainty that the book would be nothing short of brilliant.
Stewart’s appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden certainly provided fans with some intriguing and heartwarming moments. From his empowering mantra to the surprise reunion with his wife’s friend and his delightful writing journey, Sir Patrick Stewart once again left a lasting impression on the audience.
