X-Factor star Rebecca Ferguson: I’m very good at writing children’s books
SINGER Rebecca, 30, lives in Paris with her children, Lillie May, 11, Karl, 10, and two-year-old Arabella.
Not a lot of people know this but I am very good at… writing children’s books. I’m a bit nerdy, to be honest. I wrote one about a ladybird’s interpretation of being picked up by a child. I did it for my kids. I want to get some published, but every time I get to it there’s an album that needs promoting. God willing I’ll do it at some point. I do love it.
My best friend is… Lee. I’ve only known him for five years, but our grandmothers were best friends. We had no idea when we met. It’s weird the way life works out.
I seem to be a poor judge of character when it comes to love
The bravest thing I’ve ever done is… childbirth. Carrying my daughter Arabella alone was probably the bravest moment of my life. I wasn’t with the father.
My favourite TV show is… The Tudors with Jonathan Rhys Meyers. I love that sort of stuff.
My perfect evening is… sitting outside on a summer’s night with a glass of wine just talking with friends with music in the background.
I’d like to say sorry to… I am sorry for how I’ve handled some things in the past, but I’m very quick to apologise for my mistakes.
My first kiss was… horrible! I forget his first name but his surname was Duffy. I remember pretending that I’d kissed someone before. I had no idea what to do.
My biggest regret is… putting up with people’s nastiness for too long. When I came off The X Factor some people had issues with me and I didn’t understand why. I’d try to make them like me, but they were just jealous. I wish I’d learnt sooner that sometimes people are nasty because they’re unhappy.
The one thing I’d change about myself is… I’ve got eczema around my eyes. I get really paranoid about it and nothing I do makes it better. It’s very annoying. It’s a superficial thing, but it makes me feel insecure. Other than that I’m quite content. I’ve learnt to love myself and my flaws.
The best thing my parents taught me was… My mum was a 60s hippy. She taught me to love people, forgive quickly and understand why people are the way they are.
Rebecca Ferguson sings Make You Feel My Love - The X Factor Live show 5 (Full Version)
The last time I cried was… when I came off the stage after performing Bones on Strictly Come Dancing. It was a cry of relief. When you work on an album you’re locked away from the public. It’s a big moment to share your song. It’s make or break. If people hate the song, what can you do?
The first album I ever bought was… Whitney Houston’s Greatest Hits. I loved it. The artwork was amazing. She looked so fresh and young. I played that album nonstop.
It’s not good for my image but I like… smoking. I can’t promote it, but I do like to have a sly smoke with a glass of wine. It is my guilty pleasure.
My greatest weakness is… a bad boy. I’m getting better now, though. I’ve stayed away from men for a while. I seem to be a poor judge of character when it comes to love.
If I could pass any law… I’d enforce an hour a week of giving back for each citizen. Something kind, like helping out at a nursing home. It might make everyone a bit nicer.
I drive… I’ll never drive. I’m too dozy. I’ve had lessons but I just don’t trust myself. I’m a bit of a daydreamer, which isn’t good for the road.
The shop I can’t walk past is… Harrods. It’s so ridiculously expensive. If I’m having a bad day I like to walk round and pretend I can afford it all. I love the shoe section. I remember when I came off The X Factor I was still Rebecca from Anfield. I couldn’t believe the price of the shoes in the YSL section. I felt ashamed but I ended up buying them and felt guilty for months afterwards.
The most expensive thing I’ve ever splashed out on is… definitely shoes. But I don’t spend like that any more. I was a young girl and my life had changed. I’m much older now and I’m more chilled. I’ll treat myself to something designer, but I’m happy wearing Primark, too. As long as it’s nice, I don’t care.
My perfect Sunday is… watching cartoons with the kids in my pyjamas. Their favourites are Zootropolis and the Netflix series Once Upon A Time.
My favourite place in Britain is… London, especially in the summer. Kensington Gardens is beautiful.
I’m currently reading… about a sculptor called Camille Claudel. She lived during the 1900s and was a genius. She was surrounded by people jealous of her work and died unknown, but her sculptures are now famous.
The best day of my life was… the first day of having each of my children. Those first couple of hours when you’re alone with them, getting to know them, it’s magical.
If I had half an hour left on Earth I’d… spend it with my family. I’d make sure everyone I love or anyone who has had an impact on my life knows how much I love and appreciate them.
Rebecca’s new album, Superwoman, is out now.