The 5-minute Interview: Jamelia, Singer-songwriter
'People think I'm hard and a bit of a diva but I'm very down to earth'
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Your support makes all the difference.In 1999, EMI signed a half-Jamaican, half-Zimbabwean teenager named Jamelia Davis. She became one of the UK's leading R&B acts, with a string of hits including 'Superstar' and 'Thank You'. Now 26, the mother of two has just released a collection called 'Superstar – The Hits'
If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...
Watching Desperate Housewives. I'm in the middle of the third series and it is great.
A phrase I use far too often is...
To be honest.
I wish people would take more notice of ...
My songwriting ability. Everyone knows I sing, but I also write a lot of my own songs. Thank you and See It in a Boy's Eyes were all written by me. Usually I write 90 per cent of every album.
The most surprising thing that happens to me is...
That I always say one thing to journalists and they write something totally different down. It is very, very irritating.
A common misperception of me is...
That I am quite hard and a bit of a diva. In fact I am very down to earth. I have to be ready to get down with the kids.
I am not a politician, but if I were...
I would emphasise the importance of investing in our children.
I'm good at...
Cooking. I'm no Nigella but my fiancé does call me Jamelia Smith. I love inviting people round for dinner and I make a mean macaroni cheese.
I'm very bad at...
Time-keeping andorganisation.
The ideal night out is...
Going to have something to eat in Birmingham with a big group of friends, then a drink afterwards. Having a good time and a laugh is the most important thing.
You know me as a singer but in another life I'd have been...
A child psychologist. This is what I wanted to do before I was offered my record deal. It's important to inspire children.
The best age to be is...
The age I am now. The older I get the more I appreciate the things I have.
My philosophy is:
Seize the day.
Emma Joy Carroll
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