Yet with a unique voice, a talent for songwriting and two number one singles already under her belt, Essex’s latest musical success story is grabbing the interest of music-minded Britons and a generation of teenagers.
You’re very busy at the moment, when was your last day off?
I am very busy but I’m not complaining. My last day off wasn’t too long ago because it was my Dad’s birthday and I went out for lunch. I was supposed to have something on but my mum asked if I could have the day off. It wasn’t that fun: I couldn’t talk the whole day because I was resting my voice.
This year has been a really good year for you but how can 2010 better it?
I hope 2010’s going to be even more amazing because I’ve only really released two singles so far so I’ve got a long way to go. I’m also going to be spending a lot more time in America because I’ll be launching over there soon. I love America so, yeah, I think it’s going to be fun.
Is stage school the endless singing and dancing world of fun it’s always portrayed as?
It is amazing. It was the best days of my life so far because everyone is so lively and just wants to do singing and dancing. It was a great place to grow up in: it’s just full of life and there’s never a dull moment.
If you weren’t selling the trillions of records that you are would you be going to university?
If I’d gone to normal school and couldn’t do any sort of performance then I would have gone to university because I’m really into the academic stuff as well.
What would your subject be?
Probably English.
Are many of your friends heading to university?
Yeah I have friends in their first year at Nottingham and Loughborough and they’re having a great time: they keep telling me how much fun it is. I’ve been to Norwich because my brother’s at UEA. I really want to go and visit my friends but I just don’t have much time.
Do you think it's right that education costs so much more than it did twenty or thirty years ago?
Surely the Government want more kids to be educated so what’s the logic of making university more expensive? It’s wrong.
So you support the Funding Our Future campaign?
Yeah, definitely.
You’re a happy story in the middle of a tough time for many young people. Do you feel as lucky as you are?
Yeah, I know so many talented people who are amazing, a lot better than some people who are working. Sometimes it’s about the look; sometimes it’s about being known or knowing the director. It can be who you know not what you know.
You’ve said before that you’re a big Motown fan. Do you think that young people are still the powerful force for good that they were in the 60s and 70s?
I think young people are really powerful because they have so much energy. I’m young, though, so I probably would say that!
What was the last thing to make you angry?
Not so much angry but it made me annoyed when I had to get up early this morning.
What makes you smile?
My friends, music, life in general.
What disgusts you?
Bullying; people who force people to take drugs; people who are really miserable for no reason.
Where are you most creative?
In the heat of the moment: say, I’ve just had an argument with my sister and am really upset then I’ll go straight to the piano and take it out there.
Your new single ‘Cry Me Out’ sounds quite Christmasy. Would you like to record a Christmas song?
I’d love to do it because I love Christmas. Maybe next year, that’d be cool.
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