Unless you're living under a rock, you've probably heard of Dua Lipa: singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur.
But maybe you didn't know that she also runs her own book club? And that she interviews the authors of the books she chooses?
Now I know what you're thinking: not another celebrity book club where the famous host peppers nervous writers with obsequious questions?
You're not alone: YouTuber Below the Fray had some doubts too. But the thing is, Dua Lipa is... actually a really good interviewer.
The key to her success as a literary interviewer is that she builds trust with her interviewees. Without that trust, she's not going to get good answers because the author will always be guarded.
No matter what line of work you're in, you have to build trust with those around you. So these are five things that Dua Lipa can teach you about building trust.
Do your research
I've linked Below the Fray's video essay on Duo Lipa's interview technique below. Notice how the authors are amazed and delighted at some of the questions she's asking; you can almost hear them thinking to themselves: how did she know that?
She's wows Herman Diaz with her knowledge of Ida Tarbell, an investigative journalist whose work was instrumental in the dissolution of the Standard Oil monopoly in the early twentieth century. Dua asks Diaz if the Ida in his novel Trust is a nod to that Ida, and he admits that he'd never even heard of Ida Tarbell!
How often does an interviewer reveal something about an artist's work that they'd wished they'd known when they created the art? What a way to earn their trust!
So do your research if you want to earn someone's trust: show them that you've taken the time to understand their background, their culture, their tastes, their past work. It doesn't just give you a topic of conversation, it also shows them you care enough about them to take the time to learn who they are.
And speaking of time...
Take your time
The strength of the podcast format is that it's just two people having an extended, uninterrupted conversation. Dua Lipa didn't have to choose this format, and if anything it puts as much pressure on her as it does the interviewee: there's nowhere to hide in a long-form conversation.
But that extended time allows something magical to happen. Instead of rushing through a checklist of questions, Dua can let conversations breathe and develop naturally. When an author mentions something intriguing, she can pursue that thread without worrying about a ticking clock.
In your professional life, resist the urge to rush through interactions.
Whether it's a one-on-one with a team member or a client meeting, giving people your unhurried attention signals that they matter. Trust grows in those unrushed moments when someone feels heard rather than processed.
Create a connection
Watch any of Dua's interviews and you'll notice how she finds common ground with her guests. She doesn't just ask about their books, she shares her own reading experiences, talks about passages that moved her, and reveals how certain themes connect to her own life.
This is trust-building gold. When you're trying to build rapport with colleagues, clients, or anyone really, look for those moments of genuine connection. Share something of yourself. Find the common ground. People trust those who feel familiar, not foreign.
Create space and listen
Here's what separates amateur interviewers from the pros: Dua Lipa isn't afraid of silence.
She asks a question, and then she actually waits for the answer. She doesn't jump in with the next question the moment someone pauses to think.
More importantly, she listens to understand, not to respond. You can tell because her follow-up questions build on what the author just said rather than jumping to her predetermined next topic. She's genuinely curious about their answers, not just checking items off a list.
In your conversations, practice the art of the pause.
When someone is thinking through their response, don't fill the silence with more words. And when they speak, listen with your whole attention. People can sense when you're truly present versus when you're just waiting for your turn to talk.
Be authentic
Perhaps most importantly, Dua Lipa doesn't try to be someone she's not in these interviews.
She admits when she doesn't understand something. She gets excited about ideas that genuinely excite her. She's not performing the role of "serious literary interviewer"; she's just being herself, someone who genuinely loves books and is curious about the people who write them.
This authenticity is disarming. Authors relax because they can tell she's not trying to trap them or make herself look smarter at their expense. She's just someone who read their book, loved it, and wants to talk about it.
The lesson here is simple but powerful: people trust people who seem real.
Don't try to be the smartest person in the room or hide your genuine reactions behind a professional mask. Let people see who you actually are, complete with enthusiasm, curiosity, and the occasional "I don't know, but I'd love to understand."
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Building trust isn't rocket science, but it does require intentionality. Whether you're managing a team, serving clients, or just trying to have better relationships with the people around you, Dua Lipa's approach offers a surprisingly practical roadmap: do your homework, take your time, find connection, listen deeply, and show up as yourself.
Not bad advice from someone who also happens to make pop bangers.