One Day with Robbie Williams

ONE DAY WITH | MASTERS & MUSES | WORLD OF CABANA

Ever since Robbie Williams revealed himself to be a fan of Cabana - the magazine could be seen on his coffee table during his recent Netflix doc - we have been intrigued to learn more about the singer's aesthetic leanings. He credits his wife, Ayda, for this. Sophie Goodwin learns about the interior life and artistic persuasions of the multi-hyphenate creative, fresh from the press tour of his new film, Better Man. 

INTERVIEW BY SOPHIE GOODWIN | MASTERS & MUSES | 4 FEBRUARY 2025

Left: Robbie Williams in Cannes © David Benett/Getty Images for Warner Music. Right: 'Montecito in pyjamas'; Original artwork by Robbie Williams.

I live between London, Gstaad and LA. I’m a moving caravan. And my wife, Ayda, is the same. We don’t need somewhere that feels like home. We have gypsy hearts. It’s a wonderful thing that we have options. Perhaps there's an element of escapism to it all. I always think the answer lies somewhere else, where it’s sunny for example. Even though we’re nomadic, the one consistency is that I’m creating every day all day. I draw constantly and come up with ideas for songs.

I write songs while I'm moving around. I make art every day, and when I get out of bed I put a new drawing on Instagram. It's a window into my mind. I, surprisingly, within all the chaos, like repetition. I am a happy agoraphobic. I’m not scared of the outside, I just can't be bothered to join in. I’ve seen too much, for far too long. I know what it's all about.

Left: 'The Heavily Bills'. Right: 'Life is One Long Awkward Moment': Original artworks by Robbie Williams. Images courtesy the artist.

I’m entering the third act of my life, and am still wildly ambitious. I want to build a hotel. I want to build a university. I have huge, grandiose, lofty ideas and want to see where they can go. I’m not supposed to be here, inhabiting the life I have created. And it makes me think, if I’ve managed all this so far, what else is possible? Every time I pass an impressive building I think, 'I want one of those'.

I have an obsession with achievement. I have to be hugely successful in everything I do. We all suffer from scarcity syndrome, myself included. We’re one generation away from the war and one generation away from a class system and rationing. It's the, ‘if you’re getting a slice of the pie and I’m not, it makes me feel unsafe’ mentality. 

Adya is the same, always doing things. She loves Cabana Magazine, and leaves copies lying around at home for me to trip over. Her brand is called Shop Ayda. She sells what we call ‘gear to make you feel fucking-tastic’: sportswear, pyjamas, witty merchandise. Cabana should sell her socks actually.

Original artworks by Robbie Williams. All images courtesy the artist.

There is a lot to be said for manifesting. I do it every day. Set your goals and don’t stop until you reach them. Banksy's done it. Trump's done it. Oasis even managed it. If they can, I have to. In the '70s you had to be a serious thinker, touched by a unicorn, but then punk happened and culture became much more disruptive. It became the land of opportunity almost overnight.

I don’t go to sleep before 5am. It's gradually become later over the recent years, and I wake up around noon. I have to fight to fall asleep most nights, so I draw or create images or listen to podcasts. Or I watch football, or programmes on the paranormal, angels and demons. I am a night time person, an introvert and if the world is asleep I find it very peaceful.

I don’t like the phone. I don’t like receiving voice notes, but I like giving them. My voice notes give the facts, the fat is cut off. Thank goodness zoom meetings are on their way out, I like a one-line text.

'Star Maps': Original artwork by Robbie Williams, courtesy the artist.

I work on my mental health every day. I’m so grateful that I discovered information through endless therapy. I found so much peace knowing there is nothing I can do about what is in me. Every afternoon I complete podcast workouts wherever I am, which helps my state of mind. I am currently in the longest run of me being consistent going to the gym and with exercise. 

My meals are erratic. I’m never that hungry thanks to ozempic. I haven’t cooked anything in my life, actually that is a lie, I used to make omelettes after school. However, I am a real comfort eater; things like rotisserie chicken and salt and vinegar crisps. Anything instant. Cocaine isn’t the demon in my life, it's sugar. Who doesn't think sugar in tea makes it taste better? I’m NA/AA. I’ve fought everything since the day I was born.

I never learned how to drive. I think it's best for the world that it stays this way.

'Malibu': Original artwork by Robbie Williams, courtesy the artist.