Clara Amfo on Beyoncé, Sir Elton John, and loving London life

As one of the UK’s coolest broadcasters, Clara Amfo is no stranger to red carpets, star-studded interviews, and a schedule that requires her to be constantly "on." 

But away from the airwaves, the former Radio 1 favourite and Royal Academy trustee finds her true joy in switching off - whether that means slipping into a gallery for a solo exhibition visit, discovering hidden listening bars, or indulging in her current culinary obsession on D’Arblay Street.

Now, Clara is celebrating London’s vibrant cultural landscape by partnering with Art of London and the Royal Academy of Arts for Step Into the French Riviera - a new immersive public art experience inspired by the RA’s upcoming Painting the French Riviera exhibition. 

Curating a French Riviera-inspired soundtrack for the project, Clara is helping encourage more people to engage with culture in accessible, unexpected ways, championing the idea that art, music, and creativity can offer valuable moments of inspiration and escapism in everyday life.

From her secrets to navigating red carpet style to her ultimate hidden spots across the city, Clara talks to HELLO! about getting fashion compliments from Beyoncé, sharing intimate dinners with Sir Elton John, and her insider’s guide to enjoying the capital.

What can you tell us about this partnership and why you got involved? 

First of all, I’m a London girlie - I love everything this city has to offer culturally. I love exploring cities across the UK, but London is my home, and it has great things to see and do. As an art lover and an honorary trustee of the Royal Academy, this partnership just made total sense. And most importantly, it’s a gorgeous exhibition.

You're a busy broadcaster and your job involves being constantly switched on. How do art, music and gallery visits help you reset? 

They really help me reset. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do - I love engaging with people, whether it’s one-on-one interviews, live TV, premieres, or live events. But there’s so much to be said for switching off and being a bit more selfish with your time. I love sharing moments with friends, but one of my absolute favourite things to do is go to a gallery by myself, not talk to anyone, take everything in, and just formulate my own thoughts about what’s in front of me. It truly is one of my greatest joys. 

You’re known for having great music taste - what music do you turn to when you just want to chill out and relax? 

There are so many! At the moment, I’m switching between the new Tinashe album and Stevie Wonder. Tinashe is amazing - she’s having that RAYE/ Zara Larson moment where she’s put in years of hard graft and is finally getting her dues, which I love. But on the flip side, I’m listening to a lot of Stevie Wonder because he’s forever the blueprint and an absolute icon. Plus, he’s performing in the UK imminently, so I’m taking one of my besties to see him. It’s been a Stevie and Tinashe sandwich for the past week or so!

You've always championed the idea that creativity isn't just elite galleries - what's the cultural experience recently that's completely blown you away? 

So many things! Even though we’re very much in autumn, Notting Hill Carnival every year is just an absolute explosion of different people and cultures coming together - from sound system culture to the incredible street art, the food, and the music. I love all of it. And can I fit theatre in, too? I went to see Lolly Adefope - who people probably know from Ghosts - at the Trafalgar Theatre, and she was phenomenal. I think she’s one of the funniest people in the UK. I laughed from start to finish - I’m laughing just talking about it now! I urge everyone to go and see her, she completely blew me away.

Where are your favourite hidden spots in London to find inspiration or just soak up the atmosphere? 

I’m obsessed with listening bars at the moment - it’s my dream to open one in the future! The Barbican has a new Spiritland one opening soon, and there’s a lovely spot called Jumbi in Peckham. I also recently enjoyed Hidden Grooves on Curtain Road. I’m a social person, but I cherish going to these places by myself.

In East London, Autograph off Rivington Street always has brilliant exhibitions - it's perfect for a leisurely Sunday. Living and working near West London, I’m also spoiled for choice in Soho and W1 - the new Blue Note has just opened there too, so great to have it in London now. The Royal Academy is right around the corner from work near Green Park. On weekdays, my golden hour to visit an exhibition is 10:30 AM. On weekends, go an hour before closing - you’ll get the place to yourself!

Are there any upcoming gigs, shows, or cultural events you’re particularly excited about? 

Music-wise, I’m so excited for the Stevie Wonder gig, and I can’t wait to see RAYE at the Royal Albert Hall. She’s soared all over the world! I’ve been to every Beyoncé concert - Renaissance was a spiritual experience - so I’m hoping she announces another tour soon. On the comedy side, I’m really looking forward to seeing Morgan Jay next year; he’s hilarious. Beyond music, I’m right in the middle of the London Film Festival, so I’m at the cinema a lot - I actually just hosted a Q&A with Cynthia Erivo. I also have to give a shout-out to the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square. I went to see The Craft there for spooky season. It’s wonderful the cinema survived it’s possible closure – it’s such as staple of London cinema.

You’ve interviewed so many music icons - is there one artist who made you feel genuinely starstruck when they walked into the room?

Being starstruck has become quite rare for me because you quickly realise that everyone is just a human being doing their job. But saying that, I went to Sir Elton John’s house to play records with him, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh wow, we’re literally hanging out and playing tunes together.’ I actually had dinner with him and David Furnish recently, and when he walked in, I was still like, ‘Wow, that’s really you!’ But he’s just so cool, very dry, loving, and sincerely cares about supporting young creators. And I will always be starstruck by Beyoncé. I hosted The Lion King premiere in London - just around the corner from the Riviera exhibition! -  and meeting her remains one of the absolute top moments of my life. She told me she liked my dress, so I was very happy! 

You have such incredible red carpet style - what’s your secret to balancing high fashion with feeling comfortable and authentically yourself? 

I think you said the key word there, which is comfort! Though I’ve definitely suffered for a shoe before - you know that famous Céline Dion quote where she says, ‘I don’t let the shoe walk me’? That’s been me a couple of times. But overall, I just have to feel like myself. People can always tell when an outfit is wearing you rather than the other way around. I get inspired by Pinterest mood boards and bygone eras, but you have to listen to your gut. One of the cruelest things we can do to ourselves - both literally and metaphorically - is try to squeeze into things that don't fit just to chase an aesthetic. Work with what you’ve got! Discomfort always translates, and I don't want to waste time worrying about an outfit I don’t feel 100% in when I'm interviewing someone.

Who tops your Pinterest style mood boards when you're looking for fashion inspiration? 

Oh gosh, there are so many! Anything Tracee Ellis Ross wears, I’m like, ‘Yep, I’ll take that!’ I also love Solange’s style, and Julianne Moore is such an underrated fashion girl - she always looks incredible, especially on the front row at Bottega Veneta. I also love what stylist Harry Lambert does with Alexander Skarsgård - it’s brilliant and bonkers. His recent graphic t-shirt looks are amazing. It’s so refreshing to see a guy who looks like him actually have fun with clothes. He could easily just wear a standard ‘hot guy’ suit, but instead he makes really bold, playful choices, which I think is fab.

Are there any other London staples you’d recommend for an ideal day out in the capital? 

I was late to the party with Crème cookies on D'Arblay Street, but that place is literally ruining my life in the best way! They make these amazingly soft, warm, doughy cookies. Last week after doing radio or having meetings in town, I think I walked through Soho and picked one up on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! I blame my friend Jazz for getting me hooked, but life hasn't been the same since. You can even get them served with soft-serve ice cream - they are pure magic.

What do you hope people take away from this new exhibition? 

I staunchly believe that art shouldn't just be for elites. So many of my favourite artists and creators don't come from privileged backgrounds. At the risk of sounding pretentious, I genuinely believe that having access to art is a cultural human right. It’s bizarre to me that beauty and creativity should ever be restricted to a certain class. Whether you’re a five-year-old kid, spending 20 minutes on your lunch break, or in your sixties, everyone is welcome in this space. You just never know who is going to be inspired. I love hearing stories from performers who reacted to any kind of art as a child and decided right then who they wanted to be. You just don't know who you don't know who is being affected by what. So I just think it should be open to everyone. So, come on through.

Clara Amfo unveils Art of London’s Step Into the French Riviera in London’s West End, a free immersive public art experience created in partnership with the Royal Academy of Arts, open to visitors until 25th October