Will.i.am, 38, was born William Adams to a single mother in a poor area of Los Angeles. He co-founded the Black Eyed Peas in the 1990s and the band has since sold more than 31m albums worldwide. In August his song Reach For The Stars was the first music to be broadcast by Nasa back to Earth from Mars. He has donated £500,000 to the Prince's Trust to help young people develop technology skills. He is a judge on The Voice and his new solo album is #willpower.
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
My mom – she's dope.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I can procrastinate a little bit.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Small-mindedness.
Property aside, what's the most expensive thing you've bought?
I spend money on things to make – such as the car I made.
What is your most treasured possession?
My ideas.
Where would you like to live?
In the future.
What would your super power be?
The power to manifest anything I wanted.
What makes you unhappy?
Complication, drama.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Nothing.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
If somebody is going to be playing me, they are going to be playing me when I am older, because what I am going to do will be more significant than what I did.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Umm."
What is your favourite smell?
Citrussy things.
What would be your fancy dress costume of choice?
A dress? I don't wear dresses.
What is the worst thing anyone's said to you?
I didn't acknowledge it.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Chicken curry with rice.
What does love feel like?
Romantic love is painful.
What was the best kiss of your life?
I like to keep that personal.
Have you ever said 'I love you' and not meant it?
I try not to.
Which living person do you most despise and why?
I don't despise people.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
I would invite the best Japanese chef ever. Then I'd invite today's best scientists and innovators like Dean Kamen, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Marc Benioff, and the world's most influential venture capitalists, and the dinner would be about investing in new innovation led by youth in inner cities.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
That nobody's having that dinner party.
What is the worst job you've done?
I never had a job.
When did you last cry, and why?
The last time I cried was at New Year's dinner, because my mom was proud that I did the family prayer.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
More discipline.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
There would be no music.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Ask questions, be curious.