[INTERVIEW] British singer Connie Talbot

Connie Talbot poses during an interview with 10Asia held at Banyan Tree Club & Spa in Seoul, South Korea on November 9, 2010. [Jessica Kim/10Asia]

British singing sensation Connie Talbot may have shot to international stardom three years ago after appearing on "Britain's Got Talent" where she stole people's hearts by singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" but she is still just like any other ordinary nine-year-old girl who is a fan of Justin Bieber and "The Twilight" series.

She also likes being back at home in Streetly in England the best rather than flying tens of thousands of miles to tour the world and although she misses out up to 30 percent of the school year to do so, she manages to keep up with her school work, or rather excel at it as "one of the top four brightest ones in her grade," according to her mother Sharon Talbot.

In Seoul to perform at a concert celebrating South Korea's hosting of the G20 summit, her third trip to the country, Talbot sat down for an interview with 10Asia on Thursday.

10: How do you like being in Korea compared to the other times you've been here? Is there anything that's different for you?
Connie: It's still really good. And I'm sort of used to Korea now. It's one of my favorite countries to travel to because everyone is so friendly.

10: How is it having to travel so much for your world tours?
Connie: I get jet lagged a lot. But I get over it in a few days so it's okay.

10: Isn't it hard to keep up with school work?
Connie: I just try to work harder when I'm in school. And I usually miss school when we have holidays.
Sharon: Her school is okay with her having to miss class... she probably misses out around 20 to 30 percent the school year. But she's still in the top group. Her school has said she’s top four brightest in her year. If her grades drop, we will have to make sure she's up-to-date and not let it fall back because of the singing. We prefer that she receives more education and be working to the best of her ability. But the balance is good right now since she's above average so we're still okay to be prodding forth in the time being. (laugh)

10: Do you carry around your school work with you when you travel then?
Connie: No. I read though. I'm reading "The Twilight"...... I like Edward. (smile)

10: What are your favorite subjects?
Connie: English, like reading and writing. And I like art. Music too of course.

10: Do you play any instruments?
Connie: I learned to play the guitar and piano starting a few months ago. But I do play with a smaller guitar. (laugh)

10: Do you still like singing as much as you did three years ago when you auditioned for "Britain's Got Talent"?
Connie: I like it better because I can sing but I’ve been around the world and it's been fun to meet people from other countries.

10: Your albums have hit No. 1 in several countries now. How does that feel?
Connie: The same. I don't feel any different. It hasn't changed my life.
Sharon: Her personality hasn't changed. And she'll never boast about anything. She actually never speaks about her singing in school.

10: What's tough about being popular?
Connie: My fingers hurt, they get cramped, when I'm signing autographs. (smile) But nothing else I think.

10: Sharon, don't you ever become worried about your daughter receiving so much attention from such a young age?
Sharon: I'm happy for Connie’s fans to be able to listen to her because we get lots of mail and messages saying she’s helped a lot of people overcome hard times, such as people suffering from depression or people who say their health has improved because they feel happy from listening to her. As long as she’s always grounded and always stays the same, then I’ve got no problems with it.

10: Do you have any other dreams outside of wanting to become a singer? How about an actor?
Connie: I want to be more of a singer but maybe a doctor as well. I'm not a very good actor and I enjoy drama class a lot but I don't know... (laugh)
Sharon: She has been approached by people to do films and acting but it's something she's not comfortable right now although we would not rule it out. Maybe somewhere down the road.

10: What kind of singer do you want to become in the future?
Connie: I don't know. I'm just going with the flow. (laugh) I do like several singers though like Beyonce, Leona Lewis, Pixy Lott, Justin Bieber.... Have you met him?
10: No, I haven't. Are you a big fan?
Connie: Yes, he's one of my favorite singers. (smile)

10: And what kind of person do you want to become? What sort of person do you want people to see you as?
Connie: A kind person. Not big-headed. Not a show off. I hope that's what they'll think of me, hopefully...

10: What are your plans in terms of your singing career for the next year?
Connie: I'll hopefully have a new album coming out in April, with a new song. And I will tour to different countries next year, maybe do mini-concerts. I might hold a concert in Korea around May next year.

Jessica Kim jesskim@