Jason Derulo: ‘What happens when we die? I am going in a first-class seat to heaven’

Born in Florida, Jason Derulo, 33, attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. In 2009, his debut single Whatcha Say was a huge hit, and other chart-toppers include Wiggle, Take You Dancing, Acapulco, Savage Love and this year’s Slidin’ (ft Kodak Black). Derulo has sold more than 200m records worldwide and has more than 52.5 million TikTok followers. He lives in Los Angeles.

When were you happiest?
When my son Jason King Derulo was born.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I dislike my relationship with food. I wish I didn’t love food so much.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
The need to put other people down.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
When I couldn’t take my jacket off while performing at Wembley. It was hot and I had a leather jacket on, and it just wouldn’t peel off my skin. One of the guys had to come and help me.

Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
A restaurant called Catch LA.

Describe yourself in three words
Relentless, headstrong and giving.

What would your superpower be?
Outworking anybody in any room.

What makes you unhappy?
When I’m not able to be creative.

What does love feel like?
Like a true connection – if you are away, you feel an aching, and when you’re together, you feel complete.

What scares you about getting older?
Not being able to move the way my mind tells me to move.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
That I had a dad bod. People say that to get under my skin, and it works.

Would you choose fame or anonymity?
Fame.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Chocolate lava cake and vanilla ice-cream.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My son.

Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it?
For sure.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“That’s a vibe.”

What has been your biggest disappointment?
That I haven’t done a film I love yet.

If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
My son.

When’s the last time you changed your mind about something significant?
I had a thought that I wouldn’t dance any more onstage and then I changed my mind.

How often do you have sex?
Very often.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Deciding what and who I wanted to be early on in life.

What keeps you awake at night?
The studio. I work late.

Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Sex.

How would you like to be remembered?
As one of the greatest entertainers.

What happens when we die?
You either go to heaven or hell. I am going in a first-class seat to heaven.