My music appeals in America. There is less of the purist criticism I get here. And to be a hit in the U.S... what singer doesn't have that dream?

In Heaven, I believe my dad is somewhere doing something nice. I feel I've been too lucky to travel this far without somebody guiding me.

I always choose songs that I have an emotional connection to, and I often feel myself getting very emotional when I sing.

You learn your lessons from the mistakes you make, not the things you achieve.

People perceive opera and classical as elitist - I disagree. I've always tried to mix the two, make it more accessible.

If my mum thinks I'm acting like a diva she'll soon tell me off... She'll cut me down to size!

I'm a Cancerian, the typical crab with the tough outer shell and the soft bit in the middle. I don't think I'll ever come to terms with people being unnecessarily nasty, but I can take it if someone doesn't like my music - I'm not everyone's cup of tea.