A good song is a good song whatever your age.
— Sophie Ellis-Bextor
When it comes to my family I never quite know how protective I have to be, or what I should or shouldn't say.
I'm big in Russia, but no one's quite sure why.
Come rain or shine I walk short distances rather than taking my car.
Yeah, I'm not really a morning person.
I've got quite a curvy shape so I try to wear stuff that's tailored.
I'm too frightened of confrontation, so I will always tip - even if the service has been really shoddy.
You need to have a life outside your career.
'The X Factor' is great entertainment, but it doesn't prepare people for getting chewed up and spat out by the music industry.
Yes, being educated is definitely an advantage. But having said that, I've met so many people in life who haven't done very well at school but who are still really bright.
Trust your instincts: they tend to see you right. By listening to them, at least you can sleep at night.
I get really frustrated if people don't smile.
In terms of clothes, everything is on the same level for me. If I like it, it doesn't matter if it cost £200 or £2.
My little boy Sonny makes me laugh all the time. He has good comedic timing.
I try my hardest not to read reviews.
I'm a sucker for sad disco pop.
But I don't like working on lyrics publicly in the studio - I prefer to take them away and work on them in my bedroom.
You learn that, when your children are all right, everything is right in the world.
You should make an effort on stage because it's a performance. The stage should be glittery and camp, but I don't go down the shops in full stage gear.
I tasted huge success with my first album, and when it's happening it feels like a roller coaster you can't get off. You should be very careful about wishing for success on that scale.
Turning the thermostat down is something that I do pretty reluctantly. I like to be able to walk around in whatever I fancy at home.
A career in entertainment has a lifespan, like one in sport.
I try not to wear anything I have to fidget with - there's nothing worse than wearing something and pulling down the hem and re-adjusting the top. My pet hate is when girls wear those strapless dresses and spend the whole night yanking them up.
My parents are good role models because they've worked hard and gave me a happy childhood.
Some people are really good at packaging themselves, but that's not really me.
Writing songs about fancying people in dance clubs is all very well but it's not the be-all and end-all. There are other topics.
I'm always sticking up for other people.
Being a chef would be too much hard work.
I didn't feel so great when I was a teenager, but who does?
I've got a thing for footwear; I have about 200 pairs of shoes from all over the world.
I like the influence of the macabre, but I don't believe in ghosts.
I really love being in London at weekends - there's always so much to do.
I don't think writing or co-writing my songs makes me a better singer, but I haven't really got an excuse not to do it as I've got too many opinions!
That's part of the reason I called the album 'Shoot From The Hip.' I did feel it was time to open up more.
There are a lots of clowns in our family - our house is a fun house.
The NHS is a bit iffy when you sprain an ankle, but when it's a high-priority issue, it's fantastic. They don't mess about. They're incredibly efficient when things go wrong.
It's hard to feel comfortable in your own skin when you're younger.
I don't want to sound like an old grandmother but actually it's quite nice when you get up early and then, by the time it gets to 10am, you're quite perky and already quite switched on.
In terms of influence, my style icons have been a mixture of Julie Andrews and Olivia Newton-John. When I was little I used to watch 'Grease,' 'Mary Poppins' and 'The Sound of Music' a lot. If you put all those things together you do kind of get my outfits. A slightly tarty nanny in a second-hand outfit. That is pretty much what I wear.
I love getting dressed up. Being a pop star is the most brilliant job for that. A lot of girls love shopping, but they might see the most amazing outfit and think, 'When am I going to wear that?', so it's my duty to exploit the fact I do have events I can wear these things to.
I can definitely tell when mum has got money because then she likes to go shopping to spend it, whereas dad is steadier and avoids splurges. I like to think I've inherited both sides.
I do find it a bit disconcerting when your name becomes a brand.
I had my autograph down by the age of 13. I used to sign it everywhere.
I'm all for consumer rights. I get very aggravated if I don't get a good service.
I'm the messiest person I know.
I'm happy that I have a look, but I don't over-analyse whether or not it's beautiful or ugly.
In real life, I'm not super-posh but if that's the stereotype, I really don't care. It could be worse.
I never manage to get to bed early on Sunday night but this doesn't matter, as I don't know one level of exhaustion from another.
Dance music is great, but it's not a time to be reflective or particularly wistful.
I would love to record something with PJ Harvey or Alison Goldfrapp.
