TheCBSspecial airs Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
ET and 8 p.m. PT.
She also described the rehearsal process as Royal Albert Hall boot camp.
AN EVENING WITH DUA LIPA
Keep those tissues close by.
Its also having the confidence to try new things, Lipa said of the concert and this reunion.
John joined her for a performance of their collaboration Cold Heart.
She also performed Be the One from her eponymouys first album as well as a cover of Sunshine.
We played a lot with that emotion and feeling.
I wanted there to be a real depth of intensity with all the songs.
That was the changes that were being made constantly.
It was, how do we make this as grand and as epic and as big?
It was almost like doing a film score.
I love the theater feeling of it, and how grand it is, and also very intimate.
Its a very special venue that, if youre lucky enough, you get to perform there.
DEADLINE:How many rehearsals did you have for this special?
What was the process like leading up to it to this one-time performance?
Actual rehearsal time was about a week straight with my band and the orchestra [rehearsed] separately.
In the month of October, I was preparing lots of different shows at the same time.
And I managed to go home to London four days before the Royal Albert show and just do nonstop.
It was like Royal Albert Hall boot camp, orchestra boot camp.
It was like four nonstop days before the show, running it with the orchestra.
Was it a process picking those out?
Did you have more options?
LIPA:Well, performing in dresses like that was a first for me.
I felt like the night and orchestra lent itself to being able to wear something more elegant.
DEADLINE:Elton John performed with you.
His outfit felt a little toned down as well from what he could have worn.
LIPA:You think so?
He had, like spectacular jewelry and he was wearing a velvet suit.
Anything Eltons in is always show-stopping, so I dont know about that.
DEADLINE:Thats true.
I loved the earring.
Did you consider having any other guests perform with you?
LIPA:No, I didnt.
I felt he was the perfect person to hold my hand through that.
Knowing that he was gonna show up, gave me another surge of confidence during the performance.
It was special to have him there with me.
DEADLINE:And you reunited with Ray, your teacher.
Something that stuck out to me is you excel most when youre outside of your comfort zone.
How do you apply that still daily and how did it apply to this special?
It is something completely new.
It is something that people have never seen me do before.
So to be able to take something on like that is nerve-wracking.
Its out of my comfort zone.
But I guess thats where its the most rewarding.
DEADLINE:Youve worked with Elton John, Miley, Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion.
Is there anyone youre hoping to collaborate with on music in the future?
LIPA:I dont know.
I havent thought about it.
I feel like Ive really ticked off so many people off my dream list of people to work with.
I dont know right now.
