star challenge: Hanging on the telephone with... Des'ree.
Byline: Compiled by Lianne LudlowSoul singer Des'ree, 34, is the Croydon crooner who gave us smash hits like Life and You Gotta Be. And now she's back with a new single, It's Okay, and album, Dream Soldier. We gave the diva a buzz to find out how `Life, oh life, oh life, oh life' is treating her...
Us: What time did you get up?
Des'ree: 8.30, I always get up around then. I've got, like, this internal clock. I open my eyes and that's the time. I don't need an alarm clock. Ages ago I was in America doing breakfast TV, heard about programming yourself and thought, `Let me try it. I need to wake at 6.' So you tell yourself just as you're drifting off. It works. It does! Try it.
Us: Who was the first person you spoke to today?
Des'ree: My mum, I usually phone her first. I do live with someone, but he's a night person, he goes to bed at 4am and doesn't get up until midday. We've been together four years. He was in my band, and I always thought, `What a lovely guy.' Then one day I looked at him a few years on, and thought, `Gosh, how sexy is he!' And we were both single.
Us: Where are you right now?
Des'ree: In my living room at home in South-East London, my favourite room. It's dark plum red, the walls, and I've got antique Moroccan light fittings, chocolate-coloured wooden floor, oh, it's beautiful. I'm looking at my front garden, I've got a freshly-laid lawn and lots of buds. I don't know if they're daffodils, but something's coming up.
Us: What are you wearing?
Des'ree: I'm just about to head out, so I'm wearing black Ghost trousers, nice and loose and comfy, a deep plum Zara sweater - it's a roll-neck and close-fitting - and a Diesel hat for the cold. You know, one of those hats that cover the ears? That has those flaps? Grey with fake fur. And my favourite Dolce & Gabbana clogs, chocolate brown.
Us: What's your most recent purchase?
Des'ree: A load of Aveda products. They're quite expensive, but I kind of treat myself. The clove shampoo, the rosemary and mint conditioner, a styling gel and a moisture spritzer. Under pounds 100, not bad. I'm better with money now. When I first started having it, I loved to spend, getting older you don't have the urge. And when I see my tax bill...
Us: When were you last drunk?
Des'ree: Not for a long time, I don't do drunk well. And waking up I just feel like yuk! My poor liver says, `Des'ree! Why did you do that?' The last time was on a flight back from Milan. I hate flying, it's the only way I can do it. Just to take the edge off my nerves. So I had a couple of glasses of red wine in the lounge.
Us: What's the most recent domestic thing you've done?
Des'ree: I always do housework on a Saturday. I don't mind it, I put my favourite music on and, before you know it, it's done. We share it, I do the upstairs, boyfriend does the downstairs. He gets the dirtier half. He's amazing, I can't clean like he does. And I don't like ironing, I really can't bear it. So he does it, when the football's on.
Us: What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Des'ree: An Altoid, those Curiously Strong Peppermints. They really do clear the passages. Although it's afternoon, I haven't had lunch. I had a smoothie this morning for breakfast - banana and passion fruit, one of those M&S ones. I've had herbal tea and coffee since. I'm a bit hungry now.
Us: When was the last time you had a really good snog?
Des'ree: This morning. We're quite romantic, he's very handsome. Gorgeous! He's got a goatee he's always wanting me to trim, and a lovely face, a lovely smile, dark brown eyes. He's a sweetheart, so considerate, sensitive, funny. Very supportive - I can be quite moody. That's if I don't take my Vitamin B Complex! Yes, he's my mate.
Us: When did you last cry?
Des'ree: On the plane from Italy. It was quite a distressing flight. I just couldn't bear it, it was ergh! I think it was tiredness combined with anxiety. My best friend was with me, she was very comforting - `Don't worry sweetheart, you'll be OK.' I get quite emotional, I cry at films. I've even been known to cry at EastEnders.
Us: What are you going to do when you hang up?
Des'ree: Go to the health-food shop and get some green tea. Then go to Wagamama to eat with my mum before we go to see About Schmidt. I'm kind of quietly excited at the moment about my new record, I try not to get anxious. I've put a lot of tlc into it, but you just can't make people like it. Either they will or they won't.
Interview by Nina Myskow
It's Okay is out on 24 March and Dream Soldier on 31 March
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Mar 15, 2003 |
| Words: | 858 |
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