‘I cry when I laugh, so I’ve always got tears in my eyes’: Corinna Brown

Describe your perfect hour…
In the gym, with a sauna or ice bath afterwards. It’s how I reset and get back into my body. I recently did my first reformer Pilates session and I’m obsessed, even though it’s hard because they make you move so slowly. I thought: “I lift weights, I’ll be good at this.” Oh my God, I was sweating!

If you could live in any era, which would it be?
I’d like to have experienced the 90s properly. I was born in 1998, so I missed most of it. The music and fashion just seemed cooler, and kids played outside a lot more.

What’s your favourite time of day?
Dinner time, because that means I’m going to eat something.

If you could spend an hour with anyone famous, who would it be?
Whitney Houston was so iconic. I’d love to have seen her perform live and ask her how she felt about all that fame, and about appearing in The Bodyguard. Most importantly, I’d say: “Darling, teach me everything you know about how to use these vocal cords.” If I had a voice like hers, I would never speak, only sing.

When’s the last time you stole something?
A cute yellow and blue T-shirt from on set, although I wouldn’t say “stole,” because I asked very loudly. It wasn’t even my costume, but I saw it on the rail and thought: “This is nice. I don’t know who it’s meant for, but it’s coming home with me.”

When’s the last time you cried?
Probably about 10 minutes ago. I cry when I laugh, so I’ve always got tears in my eyes. I’ve just come back from the dentist and normally cry, but I didn’t this time because I’m a big girl. Even my dentist went: “Well done.”

When’s the last time you had sex?
Wouldn’t you like to know?!

When’s the last time you checked social media?
Five seconds ago. Instagram is my addiction. I love the little cat and dog memes – I’m such a loser. You know the ones where they make the dogs dance? I love that people use AI for that, because it gives me a little giggle.

What do you never have enough time for?
Packing. Today I’m meant to be packing for a music festival in Paris, but I’ve decided to go to the theatre instead.

When’s the last time someone mistook you for someone else?
I can’t think. I’m pretty recognisable, and my voice speaks for itself. People say: “I love you in Heartstopper” or: “I like your energy.” The other day, someone said: “You’ve got a lovely smile,” and I said: “Thank you. You wait till my face is all swollen when I come back from the dentist.”

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?
Take more pictures, print them out and put them in a photo album. I’m obsessed with Instax photos. Every job or holiday, I take one and add it to my Polaroid photo album, which is really cute.

If you make it to your 100th birthday, what would be the reason?
All those perfect hours in the gym. Also, the love of my family and friends, and always looking on the bright side of life. Cheesy, but true.

Watch Heartstopper Forever, on Netflix now