I don’t make music for eyes. I make music for ears.

I get so nervous on stage I can’t help but talk. I try. I try telling my brain: stop sending words to the mouth. But I get nervous and turn into my grandma. Behind the...

There is nothing that would upset me more than my dad being bribed by the press. It’s like, ‘Just let them run it, then. Don’t you give them ammunition.’

People are starting to go on about my weight but I’m not going to change my size because they don’t like the way I look.

I was about to meet Beyonce, and I had a full-blown anxiety attack. Then she popped in looking gorgeous, and said, ‘You’re amazing! When I listen to you I feel like I’m listening to God.’

Even if I did have, you know, a ‘Sports Illustrated’ body, I’d still wear elegant clothes.

My worst fear is my music won’t connect with the public.

I love love songs. But I love pop music as well: Girls Aloud, Kylie, the Spice Girls, East 17, Mika.

I can’t believe I did a peace sign on TV – like Ringo Starr!

I want to go and see things as a fan again. I am a fan, but I can’t remember what it feels like to be a fan anymore. Because I’ve become an artist. I’ve become...

I am never writing a breakup record again, by the way. I’m done with being a bitter witch.

Sometimes with pop music, you have to see it to love it. With soul music, it’s sparse. There’s nothing that’s pretentious or planned. It’s just so gutsy.

My life is full of drama, and I don’t have time to worry about something as petty as what I look like.

I am quite loud and bolshie.

It’s never been an issue for me – I don’t want to go on a diet, I don’t want to eat a Caesar salad with no dressing, why would I do that? I ain’t got...

I don’t like going to the gym.

In five years’ time I’d like to be a mum. I want to settle down and have a family, definitely sooner rather than later. I’d like to have finished my second album too, maybe even...

I am quite loud and bolshie. I’m a big personality. I walk into a room, big and tall and loud.

I don’t want to be in everyone’s face. I’m a big music fan, and I get really pissed off when it gets like that… and I don’t want people to get like that with me.

I can’t write another breakup record. That would be a real cliche.

I can’t dance to save my life.

I’ve never been more normal than I am now.

I love a bit of drama. That’s a bad thing. I can flip really quickly.

It has gotten worse as I’m becoming more successful. My nerves. Just because there’s a bit more pressure, and people are expecting a lot more from me.

You have to prioritize what you stress about when you have a child.

I doubt I’ll be singing forever, because at some point people aren’t going to want to hear my music, and I hope that I’ll still get the opportunity to write songs.

I don’t want to be a celebrity. I don’t want to be in people’s faces, you know, constantly on covers of magazine that I haven’t even known I’m on.

I don’t date celebrities.

I’ve been singing properly every day since I was about fifteen or sixteen, and I have never had any problems with my voice, ever. I’ve had a sore throat here and there, had a cold...

I will not do festivals. The thought of an audience that big frightens the life out of me.

I’m nervous whenever I perform.

Mum loves me being famous! She is so excited and proud, as she had me so young and couldn’t support me, so I am living her dream, it’s sweeter for both of us. It’s her...

If I am constantly working, my relationships fail. So at least now I can have enough time to write a happy record. And be in love and be happy. And then I don’t know what...

I make music for ears, not eyes

I’d love to be an artist always, but if no one wants me, I’d love to write songs for other people, be a manager, nurture new talent.

I don’t rely on my figure to sell records.

I’ve never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines. I represent the majority of women and I’m very proud of that.

In the songs I can still be really really direct but in interviews when I’m explaining my songs I shouldn’t be so direct about who they’re about.

I wanted to be a singer forever. But it’s not really my cup of tea. Having the whole world know who you are.

I don’t really need to stand out, there’s room for everyone. Although I haven’t built a niche yet, I’m just writing love songs.

The thought of someone spending $20 to come and see me and saying, ‘Oh, I prefer the record and she’s completely shattered the illusion’ really upsets me. It’s such a big deal that people come...

I like having my hair and face done, but I’m not going to lose weight because someone tells me to. I make music to be a musician not to be on the cover of Playboy.

I’m a big personality. I walk into a room, big and tall and loud.

I think it’s shameful when you sell out. It depends what kind of artist you wanna be, but I don’t want my name anywhere near another brand.

Heartbreak can definitely give you a deeper sensibility for writing songs. I drew on a lot of heartbreak when I was writing my first album, I didn’t mean to but I just did.

Sometimes my songs wander off a bit and are not always coherent.

I no longer buy papers or tabloids or magazines or read blogs. I used to. But it was just filling up my day with hatred.

The way I write my songs is that I have to believe what I’m writing about, and that’s why they always end up being so personal – because the kind of artists I like, they...

My voice went recently, never happened before, off like a tap. I had to sit in silence for nine days, chalkboard around my neck. Like an old-school mime. Like a kid in the naughty corner....

I’m like Johnny Cash. I only wear black.