ity Times gets up close and personal with Amelle Berrabah, one-third of Sugababes, who have been named the most successful female pop act of the 21st century in the UK.

You joined Sugababes in 2006, how has the experience been so far?

I’ve worked all my life for this. I don’t come from a very rich family, and I’ve had to work it. I’m glad that I worked very hard to get this because I’ve been through the rollercoaster ride of trying and being rejected.

Basically I was a struggling singer working part-time jobs as a waitress and every Saturday I would go to London stalking record labels waiting outside their offices for three to four hours. I was in college as well after receiving a scholarship to a music academy, and that’s how I think I learned the industry and the business side as well because I was very prepared when I did finally make it. The road getting here was hard, and I’m humbled and appreciate everything I have. Sometimes when you’re spoon-fed, you don’t appreciate things nearly as much but I’m glad I’ve had that journey.

The big break came, so strange, because I was sort of going for a solo deal to be honest and I get this random phone call from the Sugababes manager… he called me that day and said “I’ve got something big but I’m not going to tell you over the phone.” He asked me to go to London, so I thought something dodgy was going on. I met with him and we went straight to the studio, where he revealed that one of the members of the group dropped out. They tested me and the remaining two girls had the final decision, and all this took place within one week. It just felt right; it was almost like it was supposed to happen.

The group was already a massive success before you joined, what was it like being an overnight celebrity?

It was really strange because by the next day I’m all over the newspapers and people are calling my name on the streets, and I thought it was a bit weird and crazy because inside I still feel the same. Still to this day people scream and start crying and I’m like, “It’s just Amelle, don’t worry its all cool baby.” I still can’t get my head around it. This particular case I got fan mail from a girl going through a rough time, and it means a lot to you knowing that you inspire people to look on the brighter side of life, because whatever you’re going through in life isn’t so bad.

The group’s image has drastically changed this past year from girl next door to racy, sexy and mature. Can you explain this transition?

We are growing women, we’re not girls anymore. Of course we’re going to want to try new things. We don’t show too much, we’re quite respectable of ourselves so we like to dress classy but sexy, trying to keep it mysterious. You get bored very easily and there’s so many things changing all the time, so you want to experiment and reinvent.

You are born in England, but originally Moroccan. What influence has this had on your career?

For the new album I want to get at least one or two songs with an Arabian vibe and hip-hop beat. I just want to show ‘my people’ that I’m here! I love Arabic music anyway so I’d love to interpret that into our music. I never hide the fact that I’m Moroccan, because I’m proud of it, and I love where I’m from.

Sugababes have been named the most successful female act of the 21^st century in the UK, and are the biggest selling female group since the Supremes. How do you wrap your head around it?

I’m so proud of the girls and what we’ve achieved and what they achieved before me. It’s a great privilege that people are taking notice and enjoying our music. I just hope we keep getting better and progressing. I’m just someone from a small town who’s gone through struggles like most of us have… and every night I say thank you to Allah for giving me this and I hope to be doing this for the next 10 or 20 years. I want to be in music for the rest of my life, it’s in my blood and that’s who I am.

The tabloids have been particularly hard on you and your past indiscretions. When you’re at the top, how do you deal with the constant criticism and attention?

It’s quite hard to be honest, it did take me a while to get my head around and get used to it being careful with what I say because England and especially America are out there to get you, they’re waiting for you to mess up. It’s especially hard when they make up things about you and over-exaggerate and paint this picture of you… you get to the point where you got to just live, and stop reading it. You’ve got to have a strong heart and mind to take it, if you’re too sensitive, they’ll eat you alive in this industry.

Rumours abound over disunity in the group. How would you describe the current dynamic of Sugababes and your relationship with the other two members?

It’s quite refreshing to be in a band where we all get along. We have our funny times, and we even stay at each other’s houses. We back each other up and we help each other, I trust them with my heart. I wouldn’t enjoy work so much if everyday there was a big drama or if one of them was horrible and demanding, I wouldn’t be able to handle it… luckily it’s not that case and it hasn’t been so hopefully it won’t happen. I know in the past there were rumours and things like that. With every girl band I don’t think people can get their heads around three girls that like each other.

Definitely. My sister has lived here for 12 years, and Rashid Al Habtoor has become a close family friend, so he has supported me from the very beginning and is adamant about the group crossing over to the Middle Eastern market. The funny thing is, Timbaland performed here a year ago, and we were supposed to open for him, but it just didn’t work out. Hopefully this time around we’ll be able to able perform and experience Dubai, because I love the culture here and I feel very at home here. If people do like us, I’d love to take off in Dubai, it would make my mom so proud.

All about the band

To date the band have sold over 2 million singles, hitting No. 1 six times. They’ve sold more than five million albums (including three triple-platinum discs in the UK) and have amassed more Top 10 singles than the Spice Girls, All Saints, Destiny’s Child or Bananarama, and more Top 10 hits with original songs than any girl group since The Supremes. They’re also the first girl group since the 1980s to release more than three hit albums - trouncing Destiny’s Child, The Three Degrees, the Spice Girls and The Bangles.

During this time the band have become synonymous with imaginative, cutting edge, daring and effervescent pop music, turning in several defining moments in the modern pop era along the way and picking up plaudits including: a Brit award (along with various nominations), a Q award, a Smash Hits award, two TMF awards, 2 Capital Radio awards, two Elle Style awards and a Glamour gong -