Did you ever skip school?

I skipped school once - just one time ever - and I was caught. I went swimming in my friend's pool and had a great time, but when I arrived home that evening my mum said, 'Why weren't you at school today?' Apparently one of the teachers had called my home and left a message saying she was concerned about me because I didn't take sick days unless I was really ill!

What's your top book of all time?

Probably a book called Hitmen, about the music business. It's kind of a manual to sucess, containing lots of pointers about how to avoid pitfalls. It also gives a good backgroud insight - things people will never tell you directly.

Tell us your most impressive showbiz grooming tip.

I just erm, wash my face. I take care of my appearance and I use face care products because I've real sensitive skin - I don't want to break out in spots all the time!

Can you spot a bargain at a car boot sale?

A yard sale? Oh yeah, sure - more when I was little, I guess. You would spot someone selling things from the back of their car and if they'd toys, comics or books I'd be over there checking it out. You can pick some good used stuff!

Who's phone number would you most like to have?

Pamela Anderson's!

What temperature should you wash non-colourfast cotton at?

When I'm home, I do my own laudry, actually - so for non-colourfast cotton it would be... well, I know it's the lowest setting on the machine! When we're out on the road, we have our personal assistant who does all our laundry for us - it just wouldn't do if one of us forgot to wash our stage clothes!

What's the nearest you've come to popping your clogs?

When I five I had an accident and I skinned my knee. I caught an infection in my bloodstream and because I was born with a hole in my heart it went straight to my weak spot, my heart. I remember the doctors telling me it was really bad and not to be scared of dying. Later on they told me that scientifically I'd have no chance of living - I spent two months in hospital that time. I had a temperature of 107 which can normally leave you with brain damage. They were so desperate to lower my body temperature they lay me down in a bath of ice with only my underwear on, then they put me back in bed without any covers. My heart actually stopped at that point and I was out about 20 seconds before they manage to start it again.

Have you ever thought you could foresee your future?

No. I'm not into that mumbo jumbo. I can't predict what will happen although I set goals for myself and I work towards them. You never know what will happen next - it's a weird world out there and you've gotta stick to what you're good at.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of crime?

Yes. I had money stolen in a hotel in Europe. I'd only been out of the room for 45 minutes, and the maid had come in when I was gone. I told the manager I was missing $150 and when it had got missing, and he worked out who had been in the area at that time - and they found out it was some guy who worked in the hotel. He admitted it, and he was fired the same day.

Have you ever had a fabulous birthday party?

I had a big birthday party when I was ten or eleven at the roller-rink. We hired out a room in the rink, invited 30 of my friends, the DJ played some music and we skated all afternoon. Cool!

What do you keep hidden away under lock and key?

I don't really have a lot of valuables. I did buy a necklace which is worth quite a lot of money. It's a really thick chain with a cross that's encrusted with diamonds. I try to protect it... with my life!

Ever collected a winner's medal at school?

Well, I went in for all the vocals competitions, I won talent shows and went to all-state choral championships, but it's just as well I did well in that cos' look what I'm doing now - I'm a singer!

Would you be able to stop someone choking their fishbones at dinner?

Yeah, it's a thing called the Heimlich manuvour. If a person is choking you get behind them, ball you fist up, and squeeze, putting preasure just below the rib cage and they cough whatever they've just eaten back up! If not, I did a CPR (first aid and resuscitation) class once, so hopefully if someone is in trouble I'd know what to do.

Apart from basketball, what sports do you like?

Ooh, not basketball? I played baseball when I was at school, and whenever I have a chance I like to get out on the court and play a set or two of tennis. Am I any good? Erm, it depends who I'm playing.

Who is your one true love lost?

I don't know if it was really love but I liked a particular girl in High School for a long time until we started going out - then I discovered that although as a friend she's nice enough but as a girlfriend she wasn't what I wanted. So although I didn't really lose her, I lost the idea I had of her.

What's been yout worst travel disaster?

We were travelling from Hamburg to Berlin on a tiny six-seater Lear jet - like a sports car in the air. We knew it was going to be stormy, and we were racing against time to make the flight before the weather closed down the airport. We rushed to the airport, onto the plane and the wind whipped up around us as we were in the air. The pilot dropped the wing and the plane dived through the clouds, making a ch-ch-ch-ch noise. My stomach turned and I thought I was going to be sick - I was kissing myself goodbye! Just as we landed the lightning began, and the rain washed across the runway.

What's the most megabucks you've spent in one go?

When you spend a lot of money it's usually you need like a car - I have a jeep which I love! The chain I mentioned earlier is probably the most expensive luxury. It cost me $2000.

What's the most exotic food you've tried?

I ate frog's legs in Stockholm, Sweden. They kind of tasted like chicken - they didn't look too much like frog's legs on my plate but they looked scary enough, I guess! They were terrible. I took one bite and spat it out, eurrghhh!