Justine Magazine: We are so excited to hear your new song ‘Real Deal’ that you wrote for your partnership with M&M’s! Can you tell us a little about why you love them?
Jessie J: I remember eating M&M’s as a kid, and they have always been kind of part of my journey growing up. Yeah, to me it was kind of like a no brainer! I was like, ‘This could be the real deal.’
JM: So do you have a favorite color of M&M?
Jessie J: Orange!
JM: What is your favorite part of the process when it comes to getting a new album ready for release?
Jessie J: When you’re an artist it’s like you can’t live without the lyrics and the songs. There was a long time where I wasn’t inspired to write, so I didn’t. And then I had to get over it and tell myself, “I have to write, I have to get it out, I have to get back to who I was, and how I was with music before.” So, to me it’s about getting to know yourself from the inside out, and giving yourself the time and going at your own pace. It’s been a really amazing process. I do feel like a different person than who I was on my last record. I’m excited to explore my career in the headspace that I’m in right now!
JM: When people hear your new album, what message do you hope they take away from it?
Jessie J: Whatever they need! I obviously write songs kind of initially for myself. I stopped doing that for a long time, but I’ve gone back to it, and I’ve written songs that I needed for myself, but I know that other people will be able to relate to. I just want people to be able to take two things: whatever they need, and an understanding of where I’m trying to come from in my message in the album.
JM: So do you feel that your music has taken a new direction in the past few years?
Jessie J: Yeah, the new music is definitely different. I’ve written it myself! I think people will be shocked in a good way. I think the word “shocked” makes people feel nervous, but to me, it’s exciting, and it’s not what people are expecting!
JM: Is there a moment in your career you can pinpoint where you kind of felt on top of the world?
Jessie J: One that just came into my head was walking up that ramp [at the London Olympic opening ceremony]. It was definitely a moment I’ll never forget. I felt like I was the strongest woman in the world, and I could do anything! I felt like everyone was watching. And then afterwards I went home and had a cheese sandwich!
JM: What is something about you that not everyone knows?
Jessie J: I am addicted to organizing!
JM: We love your edgy personal style. Your look is so cool! What do you do to keep it unique and fresh?
Jessie J: Just trust your instincts and act on it. And don’t think that a trend is going to fit you just because it’s trendy. Just do what you feel good in and what feels right on your body.
JM: What advice do you wish you could give yourself when you were ten years younger?
Jessie J: Grow your eyebrows. Leave the tweezers alone!
JM: That’s so funny!
Jessie J: Also to understand that when people are mean to you, it’s more about them than you. It took me a long time to know that.
