FLEUR EAST

Everyone assumes it is just 'Wendy who works at Tesco' who goes to audition for 'X Factor,' and then their lives are changed, wham, like that. Me, I am someone who has tried for years in the music industry.

My album is very uplifting and positive and fun. That was my mission - to get people up on their feet and escape the seriousness of life.

I would never totally deny myself any specific type of food.

I've always loved working out. When I was little, my dad used to make me and my sister do 10 press-ups every day before we brushed our teeth in the morning. It was like a boot camp! Then I did a lot of athletics at school and was a dancer.

Everyone's path is really different, and you just have to be in the right place at the right time. 'The X Factor' gave me that chance I needed, that platform.

Even before I auditioned for 'X Factor' the second time, I was doing a lot of dance music.

I got to the point where I'd featured on songs; I'd done backing singing for major artists. I'd done all these shows, but it was always for other people.

I put pressure on myself all the time. I felt it so much with 'Sax,' but I had to just let go and enjoy it.

I'd love to write with some people from the U.K., like Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande... there's a very long list.

I do body conditioning, spinning and yoga. On the treadmill, I'll do intervals of running flat and then on incline. I'll do that for an hour.

I used to just sit in the living room and make up songs on the keyboard.

I used to shop in ASDA all the time. Every now and then I still go in to get a little salad for lunch.

I hated my big hair. I always wore it straight.

The attitude among the people I knew was, 'Fleur wants to be a singer' but it was never, 'Go for it. You can do it.' Everyone was cynical because we'd never seen anyone where we came from do it.

I've been hyper-conscious about staying away from rubbish. I don't eat white bread, white rice or cereal unless it's porridge.

I'd done an EP, and nothing came from that, and I didn't know where to go from there.

I feel like I'm quite versatile. I want to do lots of different styles.

My mum is from Ghana, and she used to play highlife music in the house, and my dad used to listen to music.

I've worked in a call centre and as a nightclub waitress. I served champagne to Rihanna.

There's so much pressure, but I think if you really love it, if you truly love it, and it's your passion to sing, then that's what will get through. I think if you don't have that, you'll realise quickly.

I didn't grow up in a wealthy family at all. Being at home all day and watching movies, that was a luxury.

I remember, one day, I just printed out about a hundred CVs, and I was running around London. I was going to modeling agencies, temping agencies, anything. I was so desperate.

I normally hit the gym five times a week. I tend to do half an hour of cardio - on the treadmill or a spin class - then head for the weights. I do a lot of core work, obviously!

Traditionally with debut albums, labels insist on a face, so people know who you are.

I used to hate performing in front of anybody, but I was forced to sing in front of family, at family gatherings. Then it slowly developed, and I started to love it.