Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Digital Cover celebrities

Will.i.am: 'I'd love to hug the Queen!'


UPDATED FEBRUARY 7, 2019 7:38 AM EST

Will.i.am just wants Queen Elizabeth to show him some love. "I’d love to hug the Queen asit would remind me of my grandma," The 40-year-old Black Eyed Peas rapper tells HELLO! exclusively. "I want to go, 'Hug me, tell meeverything you know, tell meeverything is going to be okay.'"

Will.i.am would love to hug the Queen Photo: Getty Images

The musician says the Queen reminds him of his grandmother, a woman who despite not having a lot of money in east Los Angeles carried herself with a lot of dignity and was always dressed to the nines. He mentions: "It’s a different generation – they’re soft in how they speak and are full of chivalry, politeness and elegance."

Through his foundation i.am angel, he has donated over $500,000 to the Prince of Wales’scharity, The Prince’s Trust, to fundeducation, training and enterpriseschemes focusing on technology. “William is a good lad,” hesays of Prince Charles' oldest son, while adding an English accent.

Will.i.am on the set of his Lexus NX ad Photo: HELLO! Magazine

Although it seems the 40-year-old is everywhere, he just filmed an ad for the new Lexus NX that features his single #thatPower, will be celebrating the Black Eyed Peas 20th anniversary and is working on Fergie's upcoming album, he continues to maintain a low-key public profile. “A lot of people who getphotographed call the paparazzi," he explains. "They don’t go, ‘Oh my god, how didyou guys get there?’ “I don’t want to ruin anybody’s mython how that happens, but I don’t call.”

And as busy as this guy is, taking vacations are not for him. "‘We get paid to do things– why are we paying to do nothing?’" he quips of a recent trip he took. "I’d rather have fun and do thingswe love and get paid for it. This is aconstant vacay – that’s awesome.”

For his stress reliever, it always goes back to the music. “If I’m stressed,depressed or frustrated, I usuallywrite songs about it," he shares. "My therapy iscomposing or cracking jokes. Everymoment is my happiest momentbecause if not it means I don’tappreciate this moment.”

Read the full story in this week's HELLO! magazine, available via digital download or on Friday at all Barnes & Noble stores and selected newsstands.