Tony Cowell
The little lady with the big voice, Anastacia, 48, has sold over 50 million records. She’s not daunted by much, but she says flirting seriously fazes her...
You’re touring with your Ultimate Collection right now – are you happy to be back performing live? I’m enjoying it all, and I’m writing a new album at the same time. I’m so happy to be back doing what I used to do. It’s only since last year that I have been able to do it and feel good about it.
The tour is currently at venues in the UK – is it fun performing here?
I love London, and when I did Strictly last year, I rented a flat there and it was just wonderful to walk the city. I even got myself an Oyster card, so I was really rocking and rolling. I think, as I’ve got older, I tend to want to just walk around on my own. I find I don’t tend to need all the trappings of fame any more.
You suffered from a lack of self-worth when you were younger – are you happier in your own skin now?
I am, and when they take away your body parts [she had a double mastectomy in 2013 after surviving breast cancer] you have to love the ones you have left [ laughs]. You learn to appreciate life in a different way. As a young girl I was always admiring other girls who were taller, prettier. Now I’m happy with my curves. I guess this self-love does come with age. Being older has made me better, and calmer.
What makes you nervous these days?
Maybe a date. That’s a whole different kind of nerves from performing. If a guy starts flirting with me, I’m like, ‘Oh, God!’ I really don’t know what to do then!
What made you decide to do Strictly last year?
Mainly, I wanted to raise awareness of cancer, but also, it was a way to get my movement back. So when they asked me, I thought, ‘ Yes, this could help me.’ I also thought, ‘If I get kicked off, so what?’ – and, of course, that’s what happened. I have to say Brendan [Cole] was amazing: we got on really well and still keep in touch.
You got your big break on MTV talent show The Cut. Are you still a fan of talent shows like The X Factor?
I was a guest judge [in 2012], but I don’t think The X Factor helps a new artist any more. It does help their profile but, if I was the manager of an artist, then I don’t think I’d let them go on there. It’s still a great entertainment show, but I’d actually like to see a TV show where they sing their own material, to watch them grow as songwriters.
Success came relatively late for you, didn’t it?
Yes, I think I didn’t look how they wanted me to look, because of how I sounded. I was kind of a rock chick, but I wasn’t singing like a rock chick, I was singing like Chaka Khan, or Janis Joplin, with a little bit of Britney Spears. But that was me. I wasn’t trying to be anybody else.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
For me, Ed Sheeran is leading the pack. He’s able to take a story and actually paint it for you like a picture, like you’re walking through his day. I so admire that skill. I love Adele, too. I have a huge girl-crush on her, big time.
Both your parents were singers – did they inspire you to be a singer?
My dad was a Sinatra-style crooner, and my mum sang in church – so I started singing when I was six. I sounded like a teeny black woman on helium. I was the person they wanted to put in shows without auditioning. My mum knew I had a natural gift, but she didn’t want to push me.
You’re very open about your health struggles – how did you stay positive during the time after your double mastectomy?
There were dark days, of course, but somehow, luckily, I was always faster at the recovery stage. That helped make me more positive. The mastectomy took so long, and there were so many operations – that was the worst part. But you get through it.
Did you change your lifestyle then? I notice you don’t smoke or drink.
I never did smoke. I’m making choices now about not drinking because I don’t want to damage my immune system – and, basically, alcohol is a poison. I used to throw them back in the old days like everybody else, and I still like to go to the pubs in London.
You have a new album in the autumn – what can we expect from it?
It’s going to be different from the last album [2014’s Resurrection], because that was quite dark. It was recorded during my recovery. This one’s going to be my power album – I’ve got it back!
For tickets for Anastacia’s Ultimate Collection tour, see livenation.co.uk