MANILA, Philippines - Up close and in person, Jessie J proved to be just like the light and empowered vibe of many her songs.
The 27-year-old British pop star was in town last week to headline Smart’s free Christmas concert at the KIA Theatre in Araneta. The minute the singer-songwriter walked into the room, she charmed the press by shaking everyone’s hand and moving her chair to close the space between her and reporters.
What topped the intimate chitchat was that the media could ask her anything. “No restrictions,” reps from Smart and the record label MCA Music Universal said.
So, inquire we did, from her shaved-head-look again. (The first time she did, it was for a cause, raising nine million pounds. For the second time around, the British press hinted at a break-up as probable cause.) She said, “This time we didn’t raise anything. Why? That’s the thing with fame, everyone is like, you wear a pink dress, why? Because I want to. I miss it, I can sleep more, I’m always on time (laughs).”
As for her stint as judge on The Voice UK and The Voice Australia: “I love giving back… kind of inspiring artists with the knowledge that I’ve gained. I love teaching. My mom’s a teacher and my dad’s a therapist. So literally, I’m in the middle of the two. It’s a kind of natural thing for me.”
As of January this year, Jessie J has already sold over 20 million singles and three million albums worldwide. Her third and latest album Sweet Talker became her highest-charting record in the US and turned multi-platinum worldwide.
Here are excerpts from the interview with the Price Tag, Domino, Laserlight and Bang Bang singer:
On how important it is for her to inspire listeners with her music:
“It’s the reason I do it. I started writing music because I’m a complicated person and I think I attract complicated people … If I could help anybody kind of understand the feeling in their life that they can’t understand, it makes me feel that I have reasons as to why I do this, you know?
“It overwhelms me if I think about it too much though since I can’t say to people what they can say themselves. But if I can kind of — from a distance — hold their hand and help them out, that feels good.
“(As for what fans can get from Sweet Talker) people are gonna take (anything) away from my album if they want to. I don’t think you can tell someone, I want you to take this away from me… This album, I wrote this very quickly during an incredible two-month period of my life. It was very instant. But it was definitely the most fulfilled album. I want my fans to take whatever they need from it. Always to be strong. Always to know there’s a happy ending. (It’s) not instantly there always, but it’s there.”
On what formal music studies taught her:
“I was in the same year as Adele (at the BRIT School for Performing Arts), she was in music and I was in musical theater. I was learning and training to be in the same roles as my friends. Little did I know I was going to make a career being myself … But it gave me the biggest sense of independence. I had to get six trains from home to school every day. Oh, it was so stressful! If I missed one train I was done. So I had to be up so early then I would get to bed about 6 p.m. But so worth it! So (I learned there) independence, then common sense, and being around many different people. It made me grow up.”
On fame and staying grounded:
“I don’t see myself any different from anyone else. I suppose from the outside, in other people’s eyes, you’re a star, but I just sing, you know. I make sure everyone around me is really normal and doesn’t just do, ‘You’re amazing, you’re amazing, or yes, yes, yes! You have everything,’ blah, blah, ‘coz it’s just not real. But I also have two great, amazing parents who have been married for 36 years, they’re like my bestfriends. And they tell me about myself.
“But I don’t know. How do I stay grounded? Being stupid (laughs). I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being famous. It freaks me out.
“Whatever craziness my life brings, my song Who You Are always grounds me back, being 17 and being vulnerable, and I had no idea that this life would happen. It could be taken away the way it has been given. So, I’m very aware of that all time.”
On taking a break after 10 years in the music business:
“I’m taking a break. I’m gonna finish this year. Then, I’m going to be a human and stay in one place, sleep in one bed, or travel to places and actually see them. And just refuel my brain, my soul, my heart.
“(Where can fans find my work?) Who knows? Not even on Instagram. I don’t know where it’s gonna take me. I’m definitely 10 years older than when I released my first record. I haven’t had a break since. I’ve been working and haven’t had a break longer than two weeks in six years. So, it’s a long time.
“I need to relax. I need to inspire myself. I can’t inspire anyone else if I am not inspired. I feel like I’ve come to the end, the natural moment for me to step back and refill my love for music. It’s not a negative thing. I’m not worked out, I’m totally not. I just enjoy (myself).”