[on where she grew up] There were people taking drugs but I never really got involved. People I knew went to prison for burglary and drugs.

We were really broke. There were times when I didn't have money for the bus. Winning The X Factor would mean my family would finally get to have a bit of luxury - and I would be the happiest person ever as I would be getting to do what I love most.

I was really young when this girl came up to me in the playground and said, 'Urgh, what colour are you? Your skin is really dirty'. I remember going home in tears and my mum and dad said to me, 'don't ever listen to anyone who makes those kind of comments - you are beautiful and this is the way that God made you.' They told me to ignore people like that. But it was still awful. I would get asked by kids, 'are you black or are you white?' I was often in a position where I felt like I had to pick a side and that was difficult. Those comments were horrible but I never lashed out. I hated confrontation. I would walk away.

Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise