Samantha Mumba

I'm really starting to think everything happens for a reason.

All I want to do when I have time off is to have a laugh with my school friends and go down the pub.

When I'm out with a group I hide in the corner and get legless. I just make sure my friends shield me.

But I've had to act and not depend on my voice so much.

All I say is that I don't go out with famous men.

People watch me, waiting for me to slip up, so my privacy has gone - but that's a price you pay.

I'm not into the whole showbiz scene.

I loved being behind the scenes and finding out how they make movies.

But I'm not crazy about the designers like Prada and Gucci. I hate going into designer stores.

I'm based in London now. I'm renting an apartment, making my own little home. It's great because I am around people all the time and I need my own space to get away from it all.

I'm having a great time. It's like I'm on some ridiculous big roller coaster not knowing what's happening next, but just having a great time on the ride.

I'm very picky, and I'm never 100% happy with the work I do; I hate watching myself and hearing my voice.

There are a lot of female artists my age around at the moment, but they're all American and blonde and blue-eyed and smiley. I'm totally the opposite of that. I want to show a bit more attitude and I have an opinion.