The singer revealed she actually uncovered the illness by happenstance. “When I found out I had cancer it wasn’t in the usual way. I went in for a breast reduction, and that’s when the diagnosis came,” she shared. Despite the shock, she faced the news with her trademark humor. “I can always pair anger with humor. I call my breasts ‘toxic titties’, you know? They’re my ta-tas. It’s a good way to turn something negative into something positive.”
Beyond her health battles, the star offered humorous behind-the-scenes stories from her early career performing at high-profile events. Recalling a chance meeting with filmmaker Steven Spielberg years after performing at his wedding, she laughed, “Steven said, ‘You know, the most ironic thing is that we’re still married.'” She also recalled singing for Arnold Schwarzenegger at his birthday party, where he kept requesting the song “What a Man.” Anastacia noted, “He was incredibly sweet about it. He wasn’t all about himself. He was like a kid in a candy store whenever it played.”
The chart-topping artist also explained the origin of her distinctive look, noting she chose the eyewear style initially to fend off unwanted male attention. “I decided to tint my glasses mainly because when I wore them without tint and with that unique shape, guys—more than I cared to admit—would call me a sexy librarian,” she revealed. The full, wide-ranging interview on How to Fail with Elizabeth Day is available wherever you get your podcasts.
