We all have that one friend we outsource our better judgement to – the person we text before we say yes to a potential date, or book dinner without consulting first. Here at Service95, that person is Dua Lipa.
For you, right now, she is too.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day this Saturday, Dua has been combing through the comments and DMs, reading the questions you submitted via our Instagram last week. She’s narrowed it down to five questions, covering love in all its forms: relationships, friendships, family drama, you name it. And now she’s clocked in and at your service to share her thoughts, tips and real talk. No platitudes. No rose-tinted clichés. Just her take. Keep reading to find out if she’s answered your question...
Please note, some small details have been removed to keep the identities private.
The Long-Distance Test
“I moved to another country for work a few years ago, and doing long-distance with my family is hard. I’ve missed so many occasions, and I go home when I can, but our relationship has suffered as a result. Do you have any tips on staying connected with loved ones from the other side of the world?”
This is something I’ve had to get pretty good at over the years, especially during touring seasons! I’ll start by saying this: it does get easier with time, but it never stops being hard. Being far away from your family is tough. It’s not just the big occasions you miss; it’s the build-up of small moments that can leave you feeling out of sync with each other. And yes, relationships do change with distance, but love doesn’t. If anything, it can feel even stronger when you don’t get to see each other all the time.
One thing that really helps is letting go of the pressure to stay constantly ‘in the know’. You don’t need a deep catch-up every time you speak. Keeping things light and normal, the way you would if you were seeing each other regularly, makes staying connected feel easier. I like to save the big conversations for when you’re together in person and can really listen and be present.
Something I love doing when we’re apart is sending small messages whenever something reminds me of them: a book they’d like, a song I’ve just found, a film recommendation. Then, when they’ve watched or listened, it gives us something new to chat about from far away.
The Self-Worth Struggle
“My sister is going through a break-up and has lost all her confidence. She’s the best person I know, and I want to lift her up, but I just don’t know what to say or do to make things better. How can I lift her spirits and make her realise her self-worth again?”
Hmmm, this is a tough one. Break-ups are never easy, I know that firsthand, and it’s horrible watching someone you love get knocked by one. When someone’s confidence takes a hit, your instinct is usually to rush in with the big affirmations: You’re amazing! F*** them! But I’d say that’s not always what they want or need to hear right away.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be there and be reliable. Let her say, ‘This makes me feel like shit,’ without trying to fix it or put a positive spin on it. Break-ups are disorienting and having the space to feel the weight of that can actually be really healing, IMO.
Also, I don't think it's not your job as her sister to ‘fix her’... Confidence comes back with time. Invite her into things you know she usually loves (even if she says she won’t) and be that gentle push when she needs it.
The Awkward (But Necessary) Conversation
“My friend’s new partner doesn’t seem to share the same values as him, and when I met them, the vibe was... Off. I’ve also heard the way they speak to him, and it makes me uncomfortable. Should I say something, or let it be? Can you ever tell a friend you don’t like their other half?”
Oof, yeah, honestly, I think it’s something most people run into at some point in their friendship groups, in one way or another.
You’re absolutely allowed to notice when something feels off. That instinct is there for a reason. The tricky part is that saying ‘I don’t like your partner’ almost never lands how you hope it will – it usually just puts people straight on the defensive.
I think if you do decide to say something, try to keep it to what you’ve actually seen, rather than turning it into a judgement on their whole relationship. ‘The way they spoke to you made me uncomfortable’ is very different from ‘They’re bad for you’ – if that makes sense? From my own friendships, I know the first would open up a conversation, while the second would likely shut it down pretty fast... Which we don’t want!
Timing matters, too. This is definitely a quiet, private kind of conversation – not something to bring up on a night out, or after a few drinks. Keeping it calm and coming from a place of care gives it the best chance of actually being heard. Good luck!
The Realities Of Single Tax
“I’m in my thirties, I’ve never been in a serious relationship and I’m starting to think I won’t find ‘The One’. I love the life I've built for myself, but it does get lonely – and it’s hard seeing friends couple up and move on, while I’m still living the life we had together before they got into relationships. It’s beginning to put a strain on our friendships – I'm not invited to couples’ dinners or holidays, and I feel left behind. How can I say something without looking bitter?”
First off, I’m sorry this is starting to put a strain on your friendships. As someone who’s just entered my thirties, I get what you mean about how tricky it can be when you and your friends suddenly find yourselves at very different stages of life.
I’ve got friends with kids, friends in brand-new relationships, friends happily single, and others deep in the dating trenches – and trying to bring everyone together for the same plans can genuinely be a challenge. It’s no one’s fault, but it does change the dynamic.
I’ve also been on the single side of things while friends start organising life around couples, and I definitely felt that! You don’t have to pretend it doesn’t hurt. And if they’re good friends, they’d probably be upset to know this is how you’re feeling.
If you do say something, I’d keep it simple and honest: ‘I miss spending time with you and I’ve been feeling a bit left out lately.’ That isn’t bitter, it’s just saying you miss your friend. Some people may make more effort. Some won’t. And that can be painful, but it can also be clarifying! I would always go towards the option of having an open conversation with friends, rather than sitting on your feelings.
The Palentine’s Hosting Dilemma
“I'm going big for Palentine’s this year, and I'm hosting – how can I make a night with my friends feel extra memorable and full of love, that night and always?”
I love this question! A dinner with all my friends is honestly my favourite kind of night. If you want to go big, there are a few easy wins that make it feel thoughtful without being stressful: good food that’s meant to be shared, a playlist everyone knows and loves, and lighting that makes the room feel warm and inviting, not harsh.
If you want a bit of structure, I’m always a fan of a game, it gives everyone a moment to laugh, be silly and come together. But one of my biggest hosting pet peeves is forcing the fun. Let the night breathe. Don’t rush anything, and don’t stress if it doesn’t go exactly to plan.
My last tip? Get a camera (disposables work perfectly) and put it on the table for people to pass around and take pictures of each other. It’s so fun to look back later and see the night from everyone else’s point of view.
Honestly, just focus on good food, good tunes, and good vibes and it’s going to be a night to remember!
I hope you have the best time.
Dua x
