'It was like therapy:' Rebecca Ferguson reveals how singing helped her deal with depression and heartbreak... in an EXCLUSIVE interview and preview of new album Freedom
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She is a breakout artist of The X Factor whose first album Heaven impressed both fans and critics, selling over a million copies.
But Liverpudlian Rebecca Ferguson, 27, revealed to the Mail Online that she almost didn't record her second album, Freedom, as she battled depression.
'I was depressed and I remember turning to my label and saying that I am not sure whether I should do this album,' she said.
Getting things back on track: Rebecca Ferguson is hoping to show off a younger and more modern side of her music
'They turned to me and said "Becks, take a couple of months off," but in the end I just said no.
'I need to create an album for when you're feeling as bad as I am feeling.
'Hopefully I have created the kind of music to pick you up when you're feeling down.
'And afterwards I did end up feeling better - it was like therapy.'
And it appears Rebecca has come back stronger, and looks stunning in new promotional photos accompanying her new release.
https://soundcloud.com/rebecca-ferguson
https://soundcloud.com/rebecca-ferguson
Stunning: Rebecca's new album cover sees the star smouldering in a long red dress, surrounded by a cloud of billowing red smoke
The mum-of-two, Lillie May, 9, and Karl, 7, who said the new album is not only a lot more 'modern' and 'younger' than her previous album, has created a compilation of emotive songs as a result.
'The songs are all about overcoming fears and becoming a woman,' she said.
'They are about just getting on with things even when you're at your lowest, you have to pick yourself up and dust yourself off.'
Something Rebecca has plenty of experience of. The singer is currently in the midst of a law suit with former management company, Modest! who are suing her for breach of contract.
And on top of that there is a police inquiry pending into the people who scammed her out of £100,000 over the past two years.
Still a little self-conscious: Rebecca Ferguson said although she's toughened up, she still is a little upset when she sees an ugly photo of herself
Transformation: Rebecca has transformed into a confident woman following her shy days on The X Factor
Stunning: Rebecca performed in stunning dresses every week when she was on The X Factor in 2010
However the artist believes that as a result, she has learned more in the last two years than in her entire life, adding: I know that sounds pretty said but I'm a stronger person now.
'I think I was just too innocent and naive, was not used to fame and was not used to being in the public eye.
'I wasn't enjoying my time in music for a long while because I was trying to get my head around the business side of things - now I feel ready for it.
'But don't get me wrong, it is still not nice seeing an ugly photo of myself!'
Rebecca, who has been dating childhood friend, Jay, 30, for a year now, said she wanted to change up the sound of her music because she didn't like 'getting place in a box'.
'It's not a hip hop album at all, but I wanted the song My Freedom to have the base of a hip hop song,' she said.
'I did it because people began to pigeonhole me as easy listening and I thought "oh no, that's not actually who I am."
'It turns out that my hardcore fans love the new work, but I've also connected with more people by branching out.'
Rebecca also spoke about her relationship with One Direction's Zayn Malik, putting their relationship down to being thrown into the public eye after both appearing on The X Factor 2010.
She said: 'What is forgotten is they have gone from being normal people to having thousands criticise you saying "why is she doing that?'
'I thought I can relate to you, and he was like "yeah I can relate to you too."
'It has all been a big life lesson.
Shy days: Rebecca Ferguson was a contestant on The X Factor with Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd with Cheryl Cole as mentor
'We don't speak now, but at the same time if we were to see each other we would be civil.
'We were both going through a crazy time, and I'm old enough now to to look back and know that our relationship came about from being thrown in the public eye.
'It is an easy thing to happen - the same group seeing each other every day, and going through the same emotions.'
Rebecca, who moved from her native Liverpool to Surrey for a short stretch following The X Factor, has returned home and said: 'I missed my friends and family too much.'
She summed up her time in the spotlight by saying: 'I'm just enjoying it now.
'I feel like I've gone through so much and I am finally at a place where I can just enjoy it.'
Rebecca's new album Freedom, will be released by Sony on December 2, and her single, I Hope, on December 1.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2514910/Rebecca-Ferguson-talks-battling-depression-love-fame-new-album-Freedom.html#ixzz2lzepaE7m
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