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'

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