No.1 for Interviews - Anastacia
Anastacia

No.1’s Nadine Hawkins caught up with one of America’s best exports singer/songwriter Anastacia, who talks candidly about her fight against breast cancer

Singer/song writer Anastacia released her debut album Not That Kind in 2000, which reached number one in eight countries. The multi-platinum singer has achieved worldwide recognition and is renowned for her massive voice, but despite her success she is lesser known in the United States. In 2003 she was diagnosed with breast cancer after going into hospital for a breast reduction and the star has suffered from Crohns Disease since her teenage years. She recently found love with her bodyguard of five years, Wayne Newton. The couple were together for six months before marrying just over a year ago.

You have your new album out called Heavy Rotation, what was the thinking behind that title?
Well it is actually the name of one of the songs on the album, which is a real good fun song, normally my songs are a little deeper, whether its love or hate – there is always some sort of emotional surprise in there. Once I finished the album I looked at it in comparison to the previous one, which was really heavy in terms of emotion, so it was a real rotation! The title correlated to where my life was then and the stage I am at now.

What influences your music?
Well my previous album was influenced by what was going on at that time – cancer. I was writing the album during the period I was being treated so a lot of the songs were influenced by how I felt at that time: Really intense and full of emotion. I love that album as it has a different energy. I think that people really like it because it is relatable. But it is different to how I feel now, so light and happy. And Heavy Rotation reflects that.


Did your music help at that time?
I wouldn’t really say that the music itself helped me; if anything the fans helped me, they gave me strength. I mean if you think about it – singing sad songs over and over again isn’t going to be much of a help! I would perform and end up crying for real. It’s interesting what songs can do to you. I write songs when I feel like I need to say something – it’s almost like a diary. So with the new album I thought, ‘Let’s change it, let’s pick this up and be happy and loving.’ That’s the spirit my heart and life is in at the moment.

It is well documented that you have suffered from Crohns Disease since the age of 17. How has that impacted on your life?
I have good days and bad days but at the moment they tend to be more good than bad. Crohns Disease is something I have to live with forever. It’s not like cancer where you can get rid of it. But I have had it for so long it is a way of life for me. Sometimes if I have a flare up it does affect what I can eat or drink, however on the most part I can eat what I want -I can do popcorn at the movies or nuts in a bar.

You have a fantastic figure how do you take care of yourself?
Surprisingly a lot of it has to do with Crohns – it does actually keep you slim. Most people who suffer from it lose weight, although your stomach can protrude because of all the medication you are on. I call it the Cambodian belly. Your face can also look quite round due to the steroids which is one of the medicines you need to take – I call that the moon face look!
People have seen me with my swollen stomach and the next thing it appears in the papers that I am fat or pregnant!

You revealed recently that you were older than you had originally stated?
Well my record company was like, ‘You know you look so young why don’t we make you a little younger?’ I think I would have had an issue if they were trying to actually make me look younger. I was lucky because I didn’t smoke, drink or do drugs when I was younger so I think that keeps you looking youthful. However more recently I realised that my age doesn’t have an impact on my fans. I am proud of who I am and what I have achieved.

You married recently, how are you enjoying married life?
I love it! I love it that it happened later in life for me as I don’t know if I would have had enough life experience to make it work before. I think if I got married earlier I would probably have ended up having a few husbands! I am a proud person I love the word husband. It is work though. He was actually my bodyguard – all of a sudden it went from friendship to love, which I suppose might seem strange to some people. We have been married for 18 months and together for two years.

How does he cope with your new workload?
He is still my bodyguard so he is really involved. The energy he has given me in two years is amazing, he understands me to my core.

You are known for your daring dress sense...
I think that when you wear glasses you can end up looking like a secretary. Luckily I had my voice to help me stand out. I think fashion has always been important to me, not in the respect of getting accolades from someone else, more my own standard. I will be one of these old blue hairs going to Sainsbury’s who still has a fancy hair do. My husband has given me the nickname of Bette Lynch because I love a bit of leopard print!

How do you relax?
I watch mindless television – as long as it is in the English language I will watch it. It can be an awful reality show or half way through a movie as long as it takes me out my own head. It’s because I am a Virgo and can be a bit of a workaholic.

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