Getting to know Estelle

Determined to make her mark in the industry, her recent single American Boy topped the UK charts and her current album, Shine, is proving a huge success. With artists such as Kanye West and John Legend behind her, and critics claiming she is the next Lauren Hill, Estelle has certainly come a long way in her career and is a great inspiration for all potential UK urban artists.

We wanted to get a bit more personal and find out about the girl who is Estelle. Here's how she responded to our Questions of Living....

Living... For The City
I'm living in New York at the moment and I absolutely love it. My favourite place in New York is Soho - it has some amazing restaurants. I only moved here in 2007 but it has a great vibe. I definitely prefer New York to London at the moment for its energy.

Living...On A Prayer
I am very religious and have a strong belief and faith in God and Jesus. I was brought up going to church with my family, it's something which has been instilled in me since I can remember. My faith has definitely influenced who I am today. Growing up within a religious family has really taught me good values and morals.

Living... For The Weekend
My perfect weekend away would be hiring a private jet and zipping off to somewhere remote and secluded! I would take along someone special and really get away from everything. I'd love to go to an island with no one else on it... maybe to Richard Branson's island, Necker Island. I love my work but it can get very hectic so an opportunity to go somewhere quiet and totally relax would be lovely. Going out partying is great fun but a perfect weekend would definitely be a quiet one!

The Living Years...
The happiest time in my life was in the early to mid-1990's. I have loads of cousins and family and we always had so much fun. We used to sing, dance around and laugh a lot which was all that mattered at that age! I think that between the ages of 15 to 18 is the best age because you don't really have much to worry about. After 18 you have to become responsible and think about practical things. Of course, I am really happy now as everything is going great and I'm having an amazing time doing what I love, but I also had a really good and fun childhood. I have some great memories.

The Living Daylights...
My favourite Bond film I think is Goldfinger (does a Shirley Bassey impression of Goldfinger). The theme tune was amazing. Or maybe Diamonds Are Forever...?

Living In A Box...
I remember for my birthday last year my sister asked me what I wanted for a gift. I told her I have everything I want or need and not to worry about a present because I really couldn't think of anything. She ended up giving me a beautiful picture of myself and my mum when I was really young – I'm lying next to her and she has her head right by mine – it's so sweet. It was a very sentimental gift and those kinds of presents mean so much more than material things. I'm not really sure what the best present I've ever given anyone is. I tend to give presents to people all the time! It doesn't have to be a birthday or Christmas - I really love giving presents.

Living TV...
My perfect night in would involve me on my sofa watching a box-set of Family Guy and eating some form of chocolate. I would probably be wearing my pyjamas and no make-up and not really caring what I look like!