14 Jan, 2011

You first got a publishing deal when you were only 15. Were your parents ever worried about you heading into the music industry?
My mum initially was more worried than my father when I was pursuing it, but I think it got better when I was working with more solid people like LA Reid. My father would come to the studio and see that it wasn't bad.

They were probably worried about whether you would be struggling from time to time.
They want to make sure I'm focused on something that is guaranteed. In the music industry you could be pursuing music for a long time and it may not happen. You're not going to college. You're taking a big risk. You interact a lot with your fans. I've always known my fans are important but now more than ever it's important to me that I use every possible vehicle to interact with my fans and to have that intimate experience. That's who I work for everyday.
 
Who would you most like to do a duet with, living or dead?
Michael Jackson. He is someone I've always looked up to and he inspires me still to this day even when he's not here. He really made me believe I could do this.
 
Can you tell us about your first kiss?
My first kiss was with a guy I had a crush on, I was young. It was kind of gross!
 
And when was the first time you disobeyed your parents?
Oh, I bet I was really young when I did that. One moment that I do remember was when I was young my mum told me not to put my hand on the stove because it was hot and I was curious so I did it. I didn't do that again!
 
Do you have time for a man in your life now?
I do have time but right now I'm just really focused on my music and making sure everything is how I aspire for it to be.
 
You're in great shape. What's your fitness regime?
Honestly, I haven't trained in about two and a half months! But when I do train I go for like about jogging five days a week for an hour and I eat like five to eight small meals a day. I try to make sure there's a good balance.
 
Tell us about your Grammy — where do you keep it?
It's in my house in this little black case I have lit up.

What are you goals for the future?

Well I've been blessed to have one Grammy but I hope to have more. And I would love to headline my own tour, I haven't done that.
 
Ciara's album, Basic Instinct, is out now.