Alsou info
        Articles/OK magazine interview (UK - February 2005)

Q: what was it like growing up in Siberia?

Alsou: I remember it was very cold. At that time we were very poor and lived in a trailer. In winter it would be -45, and it would get so cold the central heating would break. In communist times we didn't see much fruit, we would get apples which were a few weeks old and mouldy carrots and potatoes. But I had the happiest childhood there.

Q: Why were you there?

Alsou: My father got into the oil industry - he started a company and became successful. He made his money once communism came to an end - before then you could not get out, however hard you tried. My dad came from a poor background and he is a self-made businessman. I think that is where I get my drive and determination.

Q: When did you move to New York?

Alsou: I was just ten years old. It was very hard, as I was a shy kid and very insecure. I didn't speak a single word of English. I spent a lot of sleepless nights crying in my bed. My mum realised it was way too far from home as my dad was still working in Russia.

Q: Where did you move to after New York?

Alsou: We went to live in Copenhagen because of my father's work. But we only stayed there for 18 months and then we moved to London.

Q: How do you feel about living in London?

Alsou: This is my home. I was 12 when we came here. My mum moved back to Russia when I was 14 because she had another baby. I went to live with my older brother for a few years, then got a place of my own, i'm very happy here.

Q: Was it hard for you when your mum decided to move back to Russia?

Alsou: It wasn't too bad because I still got to see a lot of them. I was living with my brother and his wife, we have become the best of friends. I tell everybody she is my sister. We are like one happy family.

Q: You've had a nomadic lifestyle. Do you think this has made you more mature?

Alsou: I have always felt a little more serious than my friends, even when I was eight. I did a lot of travelling and had to adjust to a lot of countries and cultures. I started my singing career at 15 so I was surrounded by people who were much older than me.

Q: Didn't you get spotted singing at your brother's wedding reception?

Alsou: I sang "I will always love you" and a friend of my mother's came up to me and sais 'How could you keep this from me?. I didn't know you could sing like that. She arranged for me to meet the man who became my manager. In the meeting I started singing the same song and he stopped me in the middle of the verse. He told me that he had heard enough and we would start work the following day. It was crazy!

Q: If you were shy when you were younger, how did you cope with being on stage?

Alsou: It was really difficult. I would have serious panic attacks at first. I spent lots of the time crying. But once I got used to performing I saw the audience's reaction and that made me gain confidence. It just got easier, I've become much more confident in myself as well.

Q: You took part in Eurovision 2000, what was that like?

Alsou: I know that in the UK Eurovision is a big joke but in Russia it is quite a serious matter. I was only 16 and had very little experiance performing. I thought I was going to die when my manager told me I was the Russian entrant! It was probably the most nerve-wracking thing I have ever done I came second and after that my career just really took off.

Q: You are one of the country's biggest stars. Can you walk down the street in Russia?

Alsou: I don't really walk down the streets. I always go everywhere in a car and I have a security guard. But I had security even before I started singing because my father was a successful businessman.

Q: Why was that?

Alsou: Kidnapping happens a lot in Russia. It's just not a very safe place to be, especially if you are involved in the entertainment business. So I just had to be sure that I would be okay.

Q:Have you got a boyfriend?

Alsou: No, I haven't got a boyfriend at the moment. In fact I haven't had one for the past 18 months and i'm getting used to being on my own unfortunately! Before this I had 2 serious relationships and I couldn't have imagined being alone as from the age of 16 I was in relationships. Now i've forgotten what it's like to share my life with someone. Right now I have a life of my own.

Q: Do you have time for a boyfriend?

Alsou: For the past 2 years it has been pretty relaxed, as I have just been recording new material. But you know what, I have this gut feeling that as soon as I get busy again someone will come along and sweep me off my feet.

Q: Do you have a certain type of bloke?

Alsou: When I was younger my choice was always based on looks. They would have to be tall and handsome. But based on experiance, good-looking don't tend to have any personality and are vain. The most important thing to me is personality. He has got to be intelligent and love laughing. He would probably have to be older than me as 21-year-old guys are still boys.

Q: What other qualities has he got to have?

Alsou: He has got to be understanding and trust me. With all the travelling I do, my boyfriend would just have to trust me. But i'm not looking!

Q: Tell us about always on my mind...

Alsou: It's one of my favourite tracks on the album and I wrote it in about 15 minutes. It's autobiographical. It is about a time when I liked this guy and I didn't understand why. I think a lot of girls can relate to that. In fact I wrote a couple of songs because of him! The first one was happy but the next one was about how I regretted meeting him. Writing is the best therapy.

Q: Your next single, I wish I never knew, is a duet with Nelly. How did that happen?

Alsou: It was so exciting. I was recording my album and played this track to my manager and he flipped out. He said the single would be my big breakthrough, but something was missing. I worked with Justin Trugman, who worked with Eminem and he said he would send it to Nelly's management. Nelly loved it so we flew to St Louis and recorded his part of the track!

Q: You've also worked with Enrique Iglesias...

Alsou: Yes, about 5 years ago. I'd always liked him so we arranged to record a track, You're my number one. When Enrique came over for a couple of concerts I sang the duet with him and it became the best-selling single ever in Russia. I only spent 15 minutes talking to him-but I did think he was pretty sexy!

Q: Tell us about your new film, Spirit Trap...

Alsou: We shot it in Romania last summer. It's a horror, which is ironic as i'm scared of horror movies! I've always wanted to act and it was great fun.

Q: And your co-star Billie Piper....

Alsou: Yes, she is a lovely girl, really down to earth and very sweet. I think she's an amazing actress.

Q: What did you think when you heard about her split from husband Chris Evans?

Alsou: I was really shocked. Chris came to visit the set a few times and I just thought they seemed like a nice couple. They were one of the most affectionate couples I have ever seen, so I was really surprised.

Q: Have you spoken to her lately?

Alsou: She has been busy with Doctor Who but i'm looking forward to seeing her at the film premiere.