Meet Zara Phillips! "How One Woman's Journey Through Adoption, Art, and Healing is Changing the Narrative"  

Exploring Identity, Advocacy, and Creativity with Zara Phillips 

Interview by Gina Sedman | The Indie Post Magazine Head Editor 

Zara Phillips, a powerhouse of talent and resilience, wears many hats—singer-songwriter, filmmaker, performer, and adoptee advocate. With her autobiographical film Somebody’s Daughter, Zara invites audiences into her deeply personal journey, shining a light on the challenges and triumphs of adoption. 

Zara delivers an honest and unfiltered perspective in a world where adoption is often portrayed through rose-tinted glasses. Drawing from her personal experiences as an adoptee and years of work advocating for others like herself, she explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and the psychological effects of early separation from birth parents. Her journey also delves into addiction, healing, and rediscovering familial connections, creating a raw but ultimately uplifting narrative that resonates with many. 

Based on her memoir and one-woman play of the same name, Somebody’s Daughter balances heartfelt revelations with cheeky humor and whimsical storytelling. Directed by Liam Galvin and featuring Zara herself, the film is an entertaining and emotional rollercoaster that touches on love, loss, and self-acceptance. Alongside witty dialogue and poignant dramatizations, Zara showcases the struggles adoptees face—while celebrating the resilience that drives them forward. 

From her early days as a backing vocalist for iconic artists like Bob Geldof and David Essex to her award-winning writing, filmmaking, and advocacy work, Zara’s career is a testament to the power of storytelling. Whether facilitating workshops for adoptive families or collaborating with mental health experts, she continues to inspire and educate, ensuring adoptees are heard and understood. 

In this interview, Zara opens up about the transformative journey that led her to create Somebody’s Daughter, the lessons she’s learned, and how her creative passions intertwine with her mission to spark meaningful conversations about adoption. I had the honor of interview the amazing Zara Phillips, and here is what she shared.  

Gina: Hi, Zara. How are you doing today? 

Zara: I'm good, Gina. It’s very rainy where I am, but I’m doing well. 

Gina: Awesome! We’ve had our fair share of rain here in the UK too, but today it’s just cloudy—not raining. So, tell me, where are you originally from, and where are you currently living? 

Zara: I’m British, but I’m currently in New Jersey, USA. That said, I’ve been spending more time back in England recently, and I’ll actually be there in a couple of weeks. 

Gina: That’s great, Zara! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. I’m truly excited to hear about all the wonderful things you’re doing. 

Zara: Thank you for having me, Gina. 

Gina: It’s my pleasure, Zara. Let’s start by introducing you to our Indie Post readers. For those who might not know, can you share a bit about who you are, how you got into the entertainment industry, and what led you to where you are today? 

Zara: Sure! My name is Zara Phillips, and I’m British. I was adopted in the UK—domestically—and that’s played a big part in my journey. I started my career as a musician in the 80s. It all began when someone asked me if I wanted to join a band, and I said yes! I had always loved singing, so it felt natural. 

Around 1986 or 1987, I started working as a backing vocalist for pop bands. Back then, it was all word of mouth. Someone would say, “Do you know another girl who can sing or be in a music video?” It was an exciting time with shows like Top of the Pops and MTV. I toured, appeared in music videos, and eventually realized I wanted to write my own music. 

In the 90s, I moved to America, had children, and raised them while continuing my music career. Along the way, I became an author. My writing was inspired by my experience of being adopted and finding my birth mother at 24. That was also when I got sober, which marked a turning point in my life. 

Becoming a mother brought up a lot of emotions for me, and I used music and writing to process my experiences. I’ve even produced two one-woman shows that incorporate my music. Recently, I created a new show based on my book, Somebody’s Daughter, which was published a few years ago. 

Gina: Thank you, Zara. Let’s talk about Somebody’s Daughter. The book tackles the profound emotional challenges adoptees face, blending humor with heartfelt moments. How did you balance these contrasting elements while staying true to your story’s serious message? 

Zara: Over the years, I’ve learned that adoption comes with a lot of pain and grief—for the adoptee, the birth mother, and sometimes even the adoptive parents. In my generation, there was a lot of secrecy, and I wasn’t allowed to talk about it. 

When I first began writing, my work was very intense because I was processing a lot of emotions. As I healed, I found humor in the unique characters in my life, like my adoptive and birth parents. Growing up with British TV shows like Monty Python and Benny Hill influenced my sense of humor, and I wanted to incorporate that into my work. In my new film, I was able to play a lot more with the humor. 

I didn’t want my story to come across as preachy—I wanted it to be honest and balanced. Humor helps people connect with the message without feeling overwhelmed. 

Gina: Thank you for being so open. In your advocacy work, you’ve spoken about the psychological and physiological effects of early separation from birth mothers. What changes would you like to see in how society and mental health professionals approach adoption and adoptees’ well-being? 

Zara: There’s still so much misunderstanding. Babies separated from their mother's experience trauma—what we now recognize as PTSD. Even if the adoptive parents are in the room when the baby is born, to the baby, they’re strangers. Babies know their mothers from the womb, and when that bond is broken, it impacts brain development. 

Adoptees are overrepresented in addiction, incarceration, and mental health struggles. Family preservation should always be the first priority. If a mother can care for her baby, that’s the best option. If not, the child should ideally stay within the biological family. 

In the UK, we’ve made progress in understanding the importance of keeping babies with their families, but there’s still work to do. Transparency is crucial—it’s a human rights issue. 

Gina: That’s such an important perspective. Your journey to reconnect with your birth father is deeply moving, especially discovering your Italian heritage. How has that shaped your sense of identity, and what advice would you give to others on similar paths? 

Zara: Meeting my birth father was life changing. I knew his name—Vittorio—and that he was Italian, but nothing more. In 2015, I took an ancestry DNA test, and a year later, I matched with a sister who was also adopted. 

It turned out my birth father was living just an hour away from me in New Jersey. We had an instant connection when we met. Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly two years later, which was devastating. I lost both my adoptive and birth fathers within nine months. 

For anyone searching for their birth family, I recommend finding support. The process brings up a lot of buried grief, and it helps to connect with others who understand. You’re not crazy—your feelings are normal, and support makes all the difference. 

Gina: Thank you, Zara. It’s clear how much passion you bring to these issues. Collaborating with Gabor Maté and speaking at mental health workshops demonstrates your commitment to adoptees’ well-being. What’s been the most impactful moment in your advocacy journey? 

Zara: I think the most impactful is when I get an email, and somebody says, “You know, you really helped me. I felt really alone with this, and you really helped me.” That makes me know that what I’m doing is right. For me, I wouldn’t wish the pain that can come with being adopted on anybody, but the people I have met along the way have become such good friends. I have such a strong community, and it has helped me understand myself and have more compassion for myself. That, in turn, makes me more able to help others. 

I always want to help little adoptees who don’t have a voice yet. When I work with adoptive parents or give talks, and when I’ve done work with adopted teens who’ve had drug problems—because so many of us have struggled with that—it’s very impactful. I can sit with them and say, “You know what? That’s what I did.” It’s powerful and gives me a sense of purpose for all the hard stuff I’ve been through. 

Gina: Awesome! So, in closing, how can people find out about all the great things you’re doing, Zara? What website should they visit? 

Zara: Thank you, Gina. Yes, they can visit my website at zaraphillips.net. 

Gina: Thank you so kindly. Lastly, Zara, can you give our readers any words of wisdom that you would like to share? 

Zara: Yes, Gina. I would like to say that things pass—the good stuff and the hard. You just must hang on when you’re in the hard stuff. This is something I always say to my kids: “I promise you; nothing stays the same forever.” That helps me get through. Sometimes life can feel hard for years, but if you hang on, there are always little miracles. Don’t miss the miracle because it’s there. We sometimes must be very patient. 

Gina: Yes, that is so beautiful. You know what, Zara? It is such an honor to speak with you today. I’m honored to be able to tell your story. My prayer is that God will bless the work of your hands, that His will for your life will be done, and that He will bless your family. I pray that your continued journey will be wonderful, full of joy and peace, and that great things will come your way. I want you to know I’m so proud of you. I’m proud of everything you’ve overcome, all the hardships you’ve endured, and how you stuck through it. I’m especially proud of how you’ve become an advocate and a support system for those going through things that many people don’t talk about. 

Zara: Thank you, Gina. And you know what? There’s enough love out there. I always say to adoptive parents, “Don’t be scared.” I love all my three kids the same. I love all my parents. It’s not about loving any less; it’s about understanding who we are. Adopted kids sometimes blame themselves, thinking, “Oh, there’s something wrong with me. My mother gave me away because there was something wrong with me.” Once we find our stories, we realize that’s not true, but that’s what many adopted kids think. 

Gina: Well, Zara, I pray that more beautiful people with big hearts like yours continue to support and love adoptees and their parents. When God’s love is shown to others, that agape love can heal in the deepest ways. The world needs more loving people like you, Zara. Thank you. 

Zara: Thank you so much, Gina. 

Gina: You’re welcome! You have a wonderful evening, Zara. 

Zara: You too, Gina.