Sensational headlines and ditto stories. Everything has already been said and written about Robbie Williams, except the truth. With his new documentary Robbie Williams the music icon is changing this. Gentlemen's Watch spoke to the British artist about this.
Text: Annika Hoogeveen
Why a documentary now?
Why not? Netflix asked me. They didn't ask five years ago, and who knows if they would have asked again five years from now. The request was on the table and I thought, 'OK, that sounds good.'
The documentary deals with quite heavy but topical issues like alcohol and drug use and addiction, and mental health problems. Aren't you afraid it's too confrontational?
No. (first an outstretched face, then smiling)
Can the docu be considered a cautionary tale?
What matters most to me is that it is seen as an entertaining story. My biggest fear was that it would simply be boring. But tellingly, people are watching it. After episode one, they want to see the second episode. In the end, they all end up watching episode four. For me, that has been the most essential thing in the whole process; from Netflix's request to talking to you about it.

Is the documentary a way to offer 'redemption' regarding your person and reputation? That it offers more insight into your troubled years?
First of all, it's a way to get four hours on a streaming platform. When the documentary can be seen and its reception is clear... I suspect only then will I understand what this whole process -psychologically speaking- means for me. And whether it will also change the way people perceive me. Besides, it is important for me, as a human being, to have a say in the narrative of Robbie Williams. This documentary has my approval, unlike ninety-nine per cent of the things written, tweeted and posted on Instagram about Robbie Williams: what happened to and with Robbie, what he did. I don't recognise the person who appears in those stories. But I do recognise the Robbie featured in this documentary.
It also debunks certain rumours? In the documentary, you mention that you also wrote music for your songs and not just Guy Chambers, for example.
Probably yes. People have never seen me as someone who actually wrote songs, so I suspect people don't consider me talented. There is no doubt about my talent when it comes to my behaviour in the spotlight -entertaining- as that is more or less bragging. My showmanship... I don't think there has ever been competition in that area. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what I do that is of any value. Therefore, I think people wrongly assume that I have always had little to do in relation to my own career and I find that insulting.
Is Robbie Williams also a way to make connections with certain people from your past?
No. I think most tyres are beyond repair and I'm quite happy with that.
Was there anything among those three decades of footage that was too explicit for the final documentary?
(starts smiling during question) Just a few things I said about certain people that both they and I could do without. Certain adults around me who have my best interests at heart indicated that could be a problem. Besides, it is not interesting for the viewer anyway. It would pass by the people watching the documentary, but not the people it is about. Besides, they could then sue me. (grins)
Nobody someday. It came by in the footage and it is also the title of one of your songs. Are you now the version of the 'nobody' you once hoped to be.
The term nobody someday was probably a red herring - a misnomer - because I don't believe I ever wanted to be 'a nobody'. What I did want to be was a somebody who enjoys being a somebody and I have almost achieved that. (smiles)
Your eldest daughter appears on screen a few times while you are watching the material. Will your children be allowed to watch the documentary when they are older, and what do you hope they take away from it?
At the moment, they are too young anyway: I have a three-year-old son, a six-year-old daughter, a nine-year-old son and a daughter who is 11. If they started watching it now: the youngest three would get bored right away and the 11-year-old shouldn't watch it anyway. It contains too much truth about her daddy.

The duality of a Robbie Williams concert: behind the joy experienced by fans are painful emotions, such as sadness and panic, which you felt and had to hide.
It would be untrue to say that I was not enjoying myself. But there were also moments when my mental health deteriorated and I had to pretend to enjoy myself. On the other hand, there are moments when I fully understand that I have been given a gift in this life; the work I do and the lifestyle I live. It is very complicated and I don't fully understand it myself.
In any case, as a visitor to your concerts, I always enjoyed myself immensely.
Thank you. Bless you.
After being part of Take That, was there ever a chance for a normal life again?
Living a normal life after you have experienced something like that -being part of a very successful boy band- is impossible, I think, regardless of whether I went on to pursue the career I ended up having. From the age of 16 to 21, you are incredibly successful; you are at the top of the mountain. But there you realise there is nothing there. And that can seriously disturb your sense of reality. I think that's something you never fully recover from. Living a spiritual life to the best of your ability is the only way to deal with it. Prepare yourself for the extreme disruption of your life. Spiritually, you are thrown back on yourself. More than you ever expected.
Who is Robbie Williams at the moment: British pop artist, artist or anyone else?
I am transforming and rediscovering myself. I am becoming something else; something that has more facets and abilities than I once possessed. Creatively speaking, it is a great time to be me. I enjoy coming up with things: be it a business idea, drawing, written piece, song lyrics or a melody. It's fun and I find it very exciting. I have a fun time...
The documentary Robbie Williams is now available to watch at Netflix