Rebecca Ferguson: ‘Marilyn Monroe had a very torturous life. I’d love to bring her back and allow her to have peace’ | Rebecca Ferguson

Born in Liverpool, Ferguson, 37, qualified as a legal secretary. In 2010, she was runner-up on The X Factor and, in 2011, she released her first Top 10 single, Nothing’s Real But Love, and her debut album, Heaven. Her other albums are Freedom, Lady Sings the Blues, Superwoman and Heaven Part II, which has just been released. Next year, she tours the UK. She is married, has four children and lives in Buckinghamshire.

When were you happiest?
The first time I remember being truly happy was with my children on Ainsdale beach, not far from Southport. I spent £15 on butties, and we spent the whole day by the sea.

Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
Antiques and art – I collect 17th‑century portraits.

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
Marilyn Monroe – she had a very torturous life, and I’d love to bring her back and allow her to have peace and happiness.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
It’s that bad, I’d never repeat it. I’ll just say it was particularly cruel and incredibly racist. It was somebody that I used to date, at the end of the relationship, and it hurt very deeply.

What was the last lie that you told?
I get invited to lots of lovely things, but when you’ve got an eight-month-old baby and he’s up through the night teething, it’s really hard to make that dinner. I say: “Oh yeah, I’ll try to make it.” But, if I’m honest, I know deep down that I’m probably not going to.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
My stepmother died a few years ago but I didn’t make that last hour to have a conversation with her, so I’d like to say sorry for that.

What does love feel like?
Safety, and being able to be completely yourself.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Like every scouser, I say “erm” a lot. And “sorry” – I overapologise.

What is the worst job you’ve done?
I didn’t enjoy a bar job and glass collecting – people could be really rude.

What has been your biggest disappointment?
Without naming names, some people I’ve put a lot of faith and trust and love into.

If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
I wouldn’t want to be anyone but a better version of me.

When did you last cry, and why?
The really terrible things that are happening in the Middle East made me cry for two days after 7 October. All those poor children on both sides.

When’s the last time you changed your mind about something significant?
I changed my mind on airing my views. Sometimes silence is better.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I campaigned for a creative industry regulatory body, and that’s now happening in the next 18 months. It’s called CIISA [Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority]. I’m proud that I set the ball rolling and dared to challenge the establishment.

Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Money.

How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who tried, who had dignity, and stuck to what she believed in despite the storms.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To be led by love and not judgment.

Born in Liverpool, Ferguson, 37, qualified as a legal secretary. In 2010, she was runner-up on The X Factor and, in 2011, she released her first Top 10 single, Nothing’s Real But Love, and her debut album, Heaven. Her other albums are Freedom, Lady Sings the Blues, Superwoman and Heaven Part II, which has just been released. Next year, she tours the UK. She is married, has four children and lives in Buckinghamshire.

When were you happiest?
The first time I remember being truly happy was with my children on Ainsdale beach, not far from Southport. I spent £15 on butties, and we spent the whole day by the sea.

Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
Antiques and art – I collect 17th‑century portraits.

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
Marilyn Monroe – she had a very torturous life, and I’d love to bring her back and allow her to have peace and happiness.

What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
It’s that bad, I’d never repeat it. I’ll just say it was particularly cruel and incredibly racist. It was somebody that I used to date, at the end of the relationship, and it hurt very deeply.

What was the last lie that you told?
I get invited to lots of lovely things, but when you’ve got an eight-month-old baby and he’s up through the night teething, it’s really hard to make that dinner. I say: “Oh yeah, I’ll try to make it.” But, if I’m honest, I know deep down that I’m probably not going to.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
My stepmother died a few years ago but I didn’t make that last hour to have a conversation with her, so I’d like to say sorry for that.

What does love feel like?
Safety, and being able to be completely yourself.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Like every scouser, I say “erm” a lot. And “sorry” – I overapologise.

What is the worst job you’ve done?
I didn’t enjoy a bar job and glass collecting – people could be really rude.

What has been your biggest disappointment?
Without naming names, some people I’ve put a lot of faith and trust and love into.

If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
I wouldn’t want to be anyone but a better version of me.

When did you last cry, and why?
The really terrible things that are happening in the Middle East made me cry for two days after 7 October. All those poor children on both sides.

When’s the last time you changed your mind about something significant?
I changed my mind on airing my views. Sometimes silence is better.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I campaigned for a creative industry regulatory body, and that’s now happening in the next 18 months. It’s called CIISA [Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority]. I’m proud that I set the ball rolling and dared to challenge the establishment.

Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Money.

How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who tried, who had dignity, and stuck to what she believed in despite the storms.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To be led by love and not judgment.