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Nigella Lawson tells “Diva” about the time she crushed on a girl

At first glance, it might seem like an odd choice for UK lesbian magazine Diva to put straight-identified celebrity foodie/author Nigella Lawson on the cover of their March issue. But when you think about the thousands of men and women who have drooled at the sight of Nigella as she serves up a hot dish on one of her Food Network or Channel 4 shows, and how she’s so often referred to as the “queen of food porn,” it might not seem that strange – especially when she’s open to answering questions about women.

Here’s an except from the interview:

On her lesbian following:

I’m happy to have a following. But also, funnily enough, I think people mistake these things. When I was younger, I was asked why I didn’t find it offensive if someone wolf-whistled at me. Listen, I’m a feminist who doesn’t find it offensive to be attractive. Just like I feel that eating is an occasion for pleasure. I feel that any form of appreciation deserves a smile back and a thank you. Being found attractive has never seemed at all offensive to me.

On if she ever had crushes on females:

Oh yes, at school. I was at one school for a while and they were called a crush, a craze, and I remember there was a very beautiful Egyptian girl called Nilgen and I was allowed to go make her bed every day. Nevertheless, it was considered normal in those days.

I think it was seeking the comfort of a mother or an older sister. Being at boarding school is a strange feeling, and you want somebody to show concern for you. It was certainly a very unphysical sort of crush. I was very much an introverted child who lived in my head. I was so shy, I remember hating it if any of my parents’ friends addressed a question to me. Up until I was 19 and went travelling in Italy.

On if she’s ever been with a woman:

No, I haven’t had a love affair with a woman but I have very close woman friends, which is a very different thing but I think we all have it in us – women more than men.

I do feel that I find difference very interesting. In a sense, a smooth-skinned man wouldn’t appeal.

I know a lot of straight men feel threatened. But pleasure is pleasure, and I’m not saying it’s all fluid, but in a sense one’s relationship is with the person.

And, yes, she also talks about food. You can get your own copy of the March issue online or at select bookstores now.

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