Master Pea may bring that “boom boom pow” to the stage, but he admits to Andrew Goldman that he’s a Billy Joel-quoting romantic whose mother raised him right

Williams + Hirakawa/Icon International

Only God (and a few accountants) knows what polymath William Adams Jr. lists under "occupation" on his tax return. The 36-year-old, who's better known by his Seussian stage moniker,, is certainly a rock star; the Black Eyed Peas, the band he co-founded in 1995 and has been creatively driving since, has sold more than 28 million albums worldwide to date. But the East L.A. native has also been a producer for such acts as U2, the late Michael Jackson, and Britney Spears. He's an activist: that viral pro-Obama "Yes We Can" video in 2008? Yes, he did it. He also happens to be a tech guru. This year, Intel announced that he was being named a creative director, which, we hope, means fashion-forward rocket packs may finally not be a thing of (science) fiction. But we're pretty sure that "playa" isn't listed on his 1040; it turns out that, who's in a long-term relationship he declines to discuss, is not the type to waste good, good nights ogling various lady lumps.

ELLE:  Who from popular culture did you fantasize most about as an adolescent? Who's the lady that did "cuchi-cuchi"? Charo! I loved me some Charo. Back in the '80s, she was everywhere—The Love Boat, Fantasy Island.

ELLE:  I have a pet theory about Fantasy Island—that it was created to provide, uh, bathroom fodder for 14-year-old boys.
W:  I didn't do that until I was 19.

ELLE:  Really?
W: Yep. I think my mom had a big role in it. It was a subject we never talked about growing up.

ELLE:  I don't imagine many mothers encourage their sons to do that sort of thing. From talking to other men, did you ever consider that you might be less sexual than other guys?
W: To me, sex isn't like an extracurricular activity that you do because you're [feeling amorous]. Because I was raised around girls, I think I've adopted that perspective on sex. When you're with somebody and you love them, then you're going to do it and you're going to do it a lot. On tour, the band started calling me G. S., for the Good Samaritan.

ELLE:  Do you think there are women you've dated who have told their friends, "I just cannot for the life of me get into this guy's pants"?
W: Yeah, I'm pretty sure there are women I've dated that are probably like, "What's up with him?"

ELLE:  So if you waited until 19 to... explore yourself, then when did you lose your virginity?
W:  I walked before I crawled. You can ask my mom. That applies to a lot of things in my life, and that indirectly answers that question.

ELLE:  I understand you've never met your father. Do you feel like you missed out on anything?
W: I asked my mother about it once, and she said, "Willie, can I ask you a question? Are you happy with your perspective on the world? Are you proud that you're tenacious and driven? Are you happy how me and your uncles have raised you?" I was like, "Yeah." She said, "Then you shouldn't feel like you're missing anything. I am your daddy. I protected you, and the proof is your happiness with who you are right now."

ELLE:  Wow. She's quite a philosopher. What's the angriest you ever saw her?
W:  I think when I got caught doing graffiti. In high school I used to write expo—short for exposure—everywhere. My uncle Fay caught me and was like, "Deborah! Willie over there writing on them walls." My mom called me in the house and she's like, "Sit your butt down on the couch!" And she started hitting me.

ELLE: Having been hit as a kid—and having turned out well—do you think that when you have children, you'll do the same?
W:  It's a different era. My mom's discipline worked out perfectly. I wouldn't change a thing. And my mom got hit by my grandma, who's the sweetest person on the freakin' planet. But cultures change.

ELLE: I'm surprised that since you became famous your dad hasn't materialized.
W: I have no idea if he's tried. I've been truly protected by my uncles. All I know is that dude don't come around, and I'm happy it's that way.



ELLE: Wet sinks?
W: Yeah, like a wet sink. You don't wipe the sink after you use it? Dry it off! And if she's got only dry toilet paper and no baby wipes next to the toilet. You ain't got no baby wipes?

ELLE:  I've heard about this particular deal breaker before. Why is that a big deal to you?

ELLE: Hypothetically, if God appeared to you and said, "William, I'm going to eradicate every love song that's ever existed, with one exception—your choice"...what would you choose?
W:  "Just the Way You Are," Billy Joel. If you love somebody, that person is going to fuck you up one day. So the song's saying, "Here's my love, and I ain't going nowhere. So don't go changing.... I like you even though I know you're going to slip and fall, and it's going to fuckin' ruin my life."

This Is A Developing Story

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