I am lucky in that I love what I do, but it can still be hard to be away from the kids for long lengths of time. At the end of the day, all I want is to be with my kids, but it's worth it to create a future for my family.
I've always been interested in beauty. I studied it when I was 16 and 17, and I know it's a good idea to invest in something alongside my music.
I think being a mum gives you extra qualities. I'm more feisty, fiercely protective and less selfish. The main trait I want to instill in my kids is kindness. I think it's the most important thing. If you're kind, you'll go a long way.
If you are not happy with the song, don't sing it. Simple as that - no-one forces you to do it.
My advice is, if you are going to go on 'X Factor,' you have to know who you are as an artist.
I took lessons since I was little; I used to pay for my own singing lessons and take myself. Just take the bus when I was a kid and go. But I'd been writing music for years, since the smallest age.
Growing up, we didn't have anything. My mum wasn't well, so I was in three care homes then foster homes before me and my little brother went back to her. I was passed from pillar to post.
You have to be really strong in the music industry, and I'm naturally very timid. That was really hard for me. You have to be tough. You have to make decisions and be a businesswoman.
After the 'X Factor,' there were opportunities everywhere. It was all there waiting for me to enjoy. I didn't understand business.
I'm not very good at business. I'm more of a creative, fun-loving hippie type.
People think that because of my nature and the tone of my voice that I'm stupid, and that's hard.
I remember being wise beyond my years when I was little.
Constantly having to think about money is not nice. People used to say, 'Being rich doesn't make you happy'. And I'd think, 'I've got no electricity, nothing - tell that to my empty fridge'.
When I first studied Billie Holiday's life story years ago, I admit that I was quite judgmental.
We grew up in Woolton, Liverpool. We didn't have much, but it was irrelevant. We played out a lot with all the kids on the street.
When I was on the X-Factor, I found that I grew a lot as a performer. I knew I could sing but I didn't believe in myself enough... I needed to hear that I was good.
What I loved with Billie Holiday is she had a good way of parlaying the sorrow with a positive musical twist.
I like to write poetry.
I like listening to old soul music. I like Sam Cooke. When I was growing up, the first things I was listening to was Whitney Houston and Cher. They were really big inspirations for me.
You meet someone, you care for them, and you fall in love; it's what it is.
