Call Her Daddy
Call Her Daddy
"I think you have to do the actual work to like take care of your mental health and you can't expect to be able to do it by yourself." — John Legend
"I think we were so different in what we were trying to make. Like I'm an R&B singer. He's a rapper. He's a producer... And so everything we did actually was pretty complimentary." — John Legend
"The hottest thing. Honestly, like, it's probably obvious, but she makes me laugh all the time. And I think that is that it just changes your whole world when you have somebody around you that makes you laugh." — John Legend
The podcast features an in-depth conversation between Alex Cooper and John Legend, exploring his multifaceted career and personal life. Legend recounts his early years, marked by academic precociousness and an unconventional educational path, including homeschooling and skipping grades, which he credits with fostering a deep love for learning and an early interest in music. He details his surprising transition from a management consultant role at Boston Consulting Group to pursuing his musical ambitions, highlighting the vibrant Philadelphia music scene during his college years at Penn and his early collaborations with artists like Lauryn Hill.
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Legend's personal experiences, including becoming a father for the third time and the profound impact of pregnancy loss. He shares the deep grief and feelings of powerlessness experienced during this difficult period, emphasizing the importance of proactive mental health care and therapy for navigating trauma. Legend also discusses his relationship with Chrissy Teigen, their meeting on a music video set, the evolution of their romance across multiple cities, and their eventual marriage at Lake Como. The conversation touches upon the challenges of maintaining intimacy amidst demanding careers and the joys of raising their children.
Furthermore, Legend reflects on his creative process, his early collaborations with Kanye West, and the genesis of his hit song "Ordinary People." He elaborates on the inspiration behind his piano album "Legend," discussing the reinterpretation of his existing catalog. The episode also addresses the prevalence of conspiracy theories surrounding public figures, with Legend offering a candid explanation of the QAnon phenomenon and its unfounded claims, underscoring the disconnect from reality within such subcultures. The dialogue concludes with reflections on the qualities he hopes his children inherit and his enduring connection to Philadelphia.