Alicia Keys opens up about her friendship with Beyoncé 😍

She also debunks a rumour about herself

Fleur East, Alicia Keys and James Barr
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 14th Dec 2023
Last updated 14th Dec 2023

Pianist and singer extraordinaire Alicia Keys joined Hits Radio Breakfast with Fleur East, James and Matt to talk about her new song 'Lifeline', her friendship with Beyoncé, plans for Christmas, and she also confirmed to the team that a rumour about her isn't true! 👀

Alicia was in town to talk about 'Lifeline' which is from the new film The Color Purple, starring Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks. The movie is the second adaptation of the musical of the same name, which is in turn taken from the 1982 novel.

The first film adaptation starred famous talkshow host Oprah Winfrey, who also serves as a producer on the new film, and as Alicia explained she's had a few calls from Oprah.

"Definitely multiple calls from multiple places," Alicia explained. "But you know, Miss Oprah, she's definitely a really, really special human to me, since I was a kid. And so anything that I know that she's a part of is a special thing., and I always feel very, very connected to her. She's an Aquarius like me, I feel like we have a kindred spirit and style, I've talked to her a lot about things just in my life."

She continued: "This is the historic a HERstorical moment, this film is so iconic, and to be able to bring it back for a whole other generation is so fresh, and yes the vibes are incredible."

Alicia then went to reveal how she and Beyoncé have also known each other a long time, and the pair recently 'connected'. "I feel like we were able to connect recently and we've known each other for so long," Alicia explained.

"You know, we both really started at the same time, same labels, same kind of moment. And so it's crazy when we sit down and just, you know, talk, break bread, we kind of look at each other like I can't believe that we're both here. You know what I mean? It's kind of it's kind of nuts."

She added: "But she's doing great. I mean, I'm so excited for her amazed by her, she's incredible, it's a beautiful thing."

The conversation then turned to a rumour which has been circulating for a while, but sadly Alicia confirmed it wasn't true. Several places have previously reported that Alicia has a piano in EVERY room in her house, so if she gets inspired to write a song she's never too far from one.

However, Alicia has now confirmed that the rumour isn't true saying: “Not quite. You know, it would have been good, though I should have probably kept the legend alive.

“It's not in every room, but I think maybe what I was saying, or what it came from was… when I travel, I always bring a piano with me, you know, it's a keyboard. It's not like I'm bringing anything (big)."

As well as joining us at the Hits Radio studios, Alicia wowed commuters at a London train station, as she performed several hits, along with her recent release 'Lifeline'.

When was Alicia Keys on Hits Radio?

Alicia joined Fleur, James and Matt on Thursday 14th December, and you can listen again to the interview on Saturday 16th December, or through our app and right here on the website.

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Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online or ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio'.