Hey everyone... hope everyone is good and surviving the cold!
So after the drudge of January comes February, and the day that most females either love or hate depending on your relationship status... it's the dreaded Valentine's Day!
I never know how to feel about Valentine's Day. I think it was always a funny one when I was younger... although now I am so busy I don't really have time to give it a second thought. For example, I'm in full promo swing at the moment for my new single Elephant, and last week I flew to Denmark for two days to finish some bits for the album and then was holed up in rehearsals for the rest of the week... so my mind doesn't perhaps play on it as much as it did when I was a bit younger!
If you had asked me five years ago where I would be today, I would have said that I wanted the whole lot - before X Factor I was really into being part of a couple and being in a long-term relationship. I wanted the boyfriend, the marriage and the kids (although that part would be in years to come!) but now my views have really changed.
When you are in a relationship outside of the spotlight it's hard enough to keep the spark going, but trying to do that in the media glare can be quite challenging. I dread the question in every interview I do when they ask me about my relationships. I'm pretty open in interviews and will talk about most things, but that is one thing I do try to keep to myself as to whether I am single or in a relationship - because the moment that relationship stops and it breaks up, it's a huge new story. Sometimes I don't really want to talk about those things, that's a part of my life I like to keep to myself.
My mum always used to say to me that you must remain single for your male fans (my mum was the former lead singer of Soul II Soul) but I disagree with that - I don't think that has any sway on my fans, I don't think they would be that affected by it. For some artists however it can play a part. From a male point of view it can be different I think as sometimes the female fans can be a bit more tricky, and feel like they have more of a hold over the artists. I think that just shows how dedicated fans can be though - fans do really make the whole music cycle keep turning, they are the crux of everything and I am so thankful to my loyal fans who have been their supporting me from day one.
So, for me the whole relationship thing is just something that I'm putting on the backburner and something that will come later. I'm having far too much fun at the moment and doing the job of my dreams so a girl really can't complain.
Although saying that... if anyone wants to send me a card, some chocolates and whisk me away for a romantic dinner I wouldn't say no!