Twelve Questions: Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle reckons she has gone down well in NZ because she appeals to the underdog.

Susan Boyle is a TV talent quest singing sensation whose previous albums have gone straight to No1 in NZ. This Christmas, the Scottish surprise pop star sings with Elvis Presley on a festive album

1. Did you know you're big in New Zealand?

No pet, I didn't know that. Am I really? Well that's lovely. Why is it? It's probably the appeal of the underdog, of the ordinary person. I've never been to New Zealand but I'd love to. I've heard there are a lot of Scots there.

2. What's it like singing with Elvis?

It felt very exciting and very surreal because it's funny singing with someone who has passed away. I suppose it's one of the crazier moments (of my life) but the craziest was the very beginning of my career five years ago.

3. Paul Potts' movie is just out here: who should play you in a movie of your life?

Oh well, there are several; Meryl Streep; Julie Walters. It's an open market really. I have seen Paul's movie. It's very good. There are plans to make a movie about me early next year. Fox Searchlight called me and I said okay. I really don't know who is going to play me.

4. Has being famous helped your love life?

That's a very personal one. I wouldn't say that I have had more marriage proposals. My love life is incredibly stable at the moment. Ha ha! There isn't anyone. Still looking. I think it will happen one day.

5. Has having money changed you?

Well, it's handy for paying the bills. It's nice to have a nice wee cushion but it doesn't really mean much to me. I came from a working class background and it just doesn't mean a lot, though it's nice to have. I have given a lot to my family and charity. I've tried to help my family with their businesses and other things. You do that with family.

Recently I have bought myself a piano. It's a black upright and I'm going to learn to play it. I've never had the chance to play piano. What did it cost? Oh, a pretty penny. No, no it was reasonable, really. I still like a bargain. I shop around and look at the bargains. Yes, people will recognise me and come up and want their photo taken with me. I don't mind at all. I'm just a normal person.

6. What did you have for dinner last night?

I had steak pie, potatoes and peas cooked by my friend Cherry. Oh yes, I still cook for myself sometimes, depends how much time it takes. Oh God no, no chef, I'm fairly normal that way.

7. What's the worst thing the media have done to you?

Ohhh, that's a tricky one. Most of them have been very friendly, very supportive, don't say anything negative. Once they called me a hairy angel but having had the hair cut now I don't think it would be true. It was all part of the cycle really, all part of the territory.

When they have said unfair things about me in the past, it hasn't been nice. That's when I've felt most uncomfortable.

8. Who's the most impressive person you've met?

It would have to be the Pope, the one before this one, Benedict. I'm a Catholic myself and I had often dreamed of meeting the Pope. Francis is good, too. He's the people's Pope, he's very humble. I think he's going to be very good for the church. I still go to church regularly. My faith has got stronger because of my fame, because you have a lot of pressure in what you are doing and it's all too easy to forget your roots. I won't ever forget my roots. Favourite prayer? I like the Our Father. It's a conversation with God, acknowledging that he's part of your life.

9. How do you feel when you're singing on stage?

I feel elated. I feel well, I can make other people happy because when you're happy everyone is happy. It's like a drug to me. It's infectious. I feel most comfortable when I'm singing on stage. I'm off to Houston next to be singing in front of 20,000 people.

10. Do you wonder why all this happened to you?

I'm a great believer in things happening to you through Our Lord. I believe my mother's watching over me and interceding for me. People can see how real I am and that I'm not manufactured. What you see is what you get with me and there are a lot of artists that are manufactured.

11. What would you say to the young girl you once were about what life had in store?

I'd be very happy. I'd be jumping up and down. I'd probably say to that little girl, be prepared for a lot of attention, a lot of media interest, because little girls don't know very much about these things.

12. You seem very polite: do you ever swear?

Bloody hell, no. I'm a good girl. I have always been a good girl and tried to do right and never stepped out of line apart from the odd bit of swearing.

• Home for Christmas including a duet with Elvis Presley is released November 22.