Your single Sweet About Me has been in the Top 15 for 20 weeks and you're only 16. You must have flown the nest pretty young?

I left Melbourne a year ago. I was doing my album during the school holidays and moved so that I could focus on it more. I'm now doing the Australian equivalent of A levels, studying history, English and English literature. They send the work, I follow a course book, and I have a tutor I can contact if I need to.

Busy girl?

I did Glastonbury, which was cool, and I was at a festival in Switzerland the day before. Pretty crazy though at Glasto, seeing little kids being carted around in wheelbarrows.

Wear you out?

I can get tired, but it's mostly just fun really. It's the flights that get me. All that air con; you get all dried out.

Ever get homesick?

No, not really. I love living in London. My mum moved over here with me and I always have family dropping by. In the past few weeks my cousin came to visit, then my dad and my brother came, then my aunt and uncle. We're never alone.

Big family, then?

My parents are Italian, so, yeah.

Miss the Aussie way of life?

I miss the sun and I miss having a back garden. I can sit on my roof in London though. My bedroom's in a loft, so I just climb out of my window on to the roof.

Bit of a beach bum?

I love the beach. I can't swim in pools any more, it just feels funny.

Any hang-ups?

No; I'm pretty confident with my body. I guess everyone has got something they'd like to change, but I feel all right.

Are you a foodie?

I can't not eat. I love food. I can't get enough, especially pasta. I don't do dieting.

Fussed about organics?

Yeah, I guess so. We have a veggie patch back home, but there has been a drought, so everything is ruined. The fruit and vegetables are all right here, but they taste different. British strawberries are great.

Are you a gym bunny?

I have a little trampoline; that's my exercise. I used to go to the gym more often, but when you're on tour it's hard to find the time because you're always on the move.

Ever consider a nip'n'tuck?

Maybe when I'm 80. I'll have plastic surgery, smoke heaps and take lots of drugs.

Any vices?

I like a glass of wine, but I don't smoke. And I'm definitely not a binge drinker.

How do you let your hair down?

I go out with my mates, and love going to gigs. I saw Jay-Z a few weeks ago at the O2 Wireless Festival, and Jack Johnson recently, too. I met most of my friends at the studio where I work.

Ever tried the healing power of herbs?

I've gone to see those people and they give you funny drops that are supposed to help. I got something once for anxiety, or cleansing of the liver or something. How ridiculous. As if I needed saving from anxiety. Whatever, they tasted good. I think they do some good, but it's probably all in the mind.

Are you a good Catholic girl?

I go to church whenever I have a moment. It makes me feel good when I go and makes me feel like I'm closer to home. My grandparents are really religious, so it's almost a connection to home and to them.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

I meditate before I go on stage. When you're performing it's really hard to relax and you need to channel all your energy somewhere. I do a style of meditation from Hong Kong, called tan tien, which is all about how to focus and control your thoughts. It helps me to channel my energy.

Get the heebie-jeebies when you're on stage?

I'm pretty laid-back in general, but when things get stressful, meditation really helps. It's just so rewarding when it goes well. Performances never really go wrong, as such. It's about whether you connect with the audience or not. Fortunately, things have been really good for me recently.

How do you escape?

I go out with my mates. I write songs. I get inspired by observations and experiences. When I look back at the album, it's like I'm looking at a photograph because every song means something.

Are you a sociable type?

I need lots of people around me all the time. I'm a Libra, so I like to share everything with people around me.

Optimist or pessimist?

I try to be positive. My aim for the year is to be more like Pollyanna, but I'm not sure if it's really working.

What about the boys?

There's no one special at the moment. But I'm actively seeking! I love the guys in the Kings of Leon, the Followill brothers. I like their music and a talented guy is very attractive. I think I'd rather keep my distance though, just in case they're not what I expect them to be.

Fairy godmother, please change...

Remove all weapons in the world. And encourage communication. People should talk more.

Gabriella Cilmi's debut album, Lessons To Be Learned, is out now (Island Records)

Explore Women

• Fashion

• Beauty

• Diet & Fitness

• Relationships

• Families

• Celebrity

• Body & Soul

• The Way We Live

Times recommends

• Babyboomers still partying on in their sixties
• Do I have a chance of finding love again?
• Video: How to do party make-up