What's the story behind your new single, Can't Get It Back?
Alesha: There's a lot of people out there who give their all in a relationship and really put their heart on the line and then their partners throw it back in their face, so what we're saying in this song is that we're not having it. What we're saying is 'You've done this to me. You've disrespected me. You think you're getting your ring back? You've got another thing coming.' It's about exposing players. It's saying 'Don't be a walkover. And don't let anybody take the piss out of you'.
That's a kooky video you've got too - very Judge Judy...
Su-Elise: Jerry Springer! (laughs)
A: Yeah… Sabrina's going through her divorce court settlement, I'm her friend who's spying on her man, the man's seeing Su-Elise… and this guy's playing both women at the same time. There are a lot of people out there who become very timid in a relationship, and I think maybe if they see girls like us there – very strong and set on what's right and what's wrong – that'll help them in their lives.
Do you think you're seen as strong role models in the UK music scene?
S: We're very much aware that we portray a very strong, independent and postitive image to young women and it's great. We're aware that we have very young fans… we all come from very large families and we all have younger sisters and brothers and it's important that we set good examples.
A: I mean, I know what it was like the first time I listened to The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill and what she was singing about really touched me. So now, when we're making songs and having fun in the studio, we're creating our vibe… but at the same time we're aware of how the people sitting at home are reacting to our music. I think back to how I reacted to CDs when I was younger… it really makes you think.
What songs do you like to listen to before you go out?
S: 50cent: In The Club. It makes me remember some of my best nights out clubbing when everyone's hands are in the air.
How do you feel about television programmes like Pop Idol and Popstars? Do you think they're a good way to launch a career?
A: I think that some of the people competing on those shows actually have a lot of talent. The girls from Girls Aloud have beautiful voices… I support them all the way. They're beautiful. I don't have a problem with the actual artists. It's the people that produce these shows that piss me off. They're clogging up the music industry and the record companies are quick to sign these acts because the acts are already famous. I think its laziness. There's no better feeling than starting a band from scratch, and working with it and growing with it. There's nothing like it.
S: But you've got to have the passion… and these guys are looking at it as a business.
A: (Wagging finger at Su-Elise) Yeah – that's what I'm saying to you. These shows, they're about making money, quickly, and I don't think that's very healthy for the industry.
If you weren't already where you are today, would you ever have considered going on one of these shows?
S. No, I don't. It takes a lot of guts for those people to get up there and go through that process in front of the whole nation, and I actually don't think that I would have the ability to do that.
But you guys are up on stage and on television and doing interviews all the time!
A: But that's okay. When I was 18, I'd never been to an audition in my life. I'm just not the sort of person that does that.
S: I did. I did West End theatre and all that, but I still don't think I would have gone onto that programme.
A: I prefer the more natural way. Like when I met Sabrina, we just sat down and had a chin-wag, she sang for me and I was blown away. And she got a good vibe off me and she rang up the place where we'd met and said 'Can you put me in touch with that girl. I want to sing with her'. And that's a nicer way of getting together that someone saying 'Alesha Dixon. You're in the group and you're going to be singing with that girl Su-Elise and that girl Sabrina.'
What are the most exciting things you've bought with the money you've made?
S: I think gifts for other people… gifts for my partner and gifts for my family. My sisters have a great Christmas now. I buy them the whole of the Argos catalogue… They love it!
A: For me, it's my little red Honda. When I turned 17, a lot of my friends had parents that paid for their cars but my Mum couldn't afford none of that. So it was really nice to get to the point where I could afford to buy my car, in one go, and not be in debt. It's my little baby.
What was it like when you first started being recognised in public?
S: Funny! We'd be shopping on Oxford Street and people would come up to us and say they liked our music, and we'd be, like, 'You've heard of us?'
A: Knowing what I know now, I can't believe the people on the TV that make fools out of themselves or do things to turn the public against them. I don't know how they can walk down the street relaxed. I mean, I'm always aware that someone might recognise me. But I'm not scared of people because I carry myself in a way that doesn't cause offence. I've not changed. Imagine walking down the street thinking that everybody hates you, or hates something you've said in the papers! I imagine that would be quite a stressful life.
How do you keep your high-profile relationships private?
A: By living with my man, in my house. (Laughs)
S: And by not chatting our business. What's personal business is personal business and that's the end of that.
You guys have a very unique look beauty-wise. What are your favourite products?
A: Nivea. Vaseline. Cocoa Butter. We like the old-fashioned standards, definitely.
What lip glosses and blushers do you use?
S: MAC lip gloss, L'Oreal bronzers…
A: Juicy Tubes, and MAC lip conditioner as well.
Did you always aspire to being perfomers?
A: My friends say to me that they always knew I would end up doing something like what I'm doing now. I was always the one that was involved in the Christmas play… I'd be organising the costumes, I'd be choreographing the dancers, conducting the choir. (Laughs) I was DOING it… I was really active…
Who would you love to collaborate with?
A: For me, Eminem. And Lauryn Hill.
S: Busta Rhymes. Wicked.
A: Anyone that is talented is a pleasure and an honour to collaborate with. The thing I love about Americans is that they collaborate all the time – that's how they bring through new artists. Look at Wyclef… he brought through Destiny's Child. In England, we're very backwards. People don't really join together and and support each other.
Any plans to get over to the States?
S: We're very excited… we can't wait! We like America. We've got family in America and we love the weather and we feel quite comfortable there. It's the only place away from the UK where we haven't though 'Right… time to go back home now'.
A: They like the English accent out there too. (Laughs). The really do! But they don't really respect English music, so we want to try and prove them wrong a little bit.
If you weren't doing the Mis-Teeq thing, what other careers would you have considered pursuing?
A: I'd be a teacher… or a choreographer, or maybe in management.
S: I'd be doing my Masters in Business Studies.
You were doing a degree in business before you started out in music, weren't you? Has it helped you with the management side of the band?
S: Yeah. It definitely helps you understand the lingo... I'll say that much!
There's a rumour circulating that you want to break into acting…
A: Yeah, I did drama at school. It's another form of being creative and expressing yourself, and it's another challenge in life. Obviously our music's the most important thing and it's what we're focussing on but at the end of the day, if something came up film-wise, we'd be fools to turn it down.
What other hidden talents do you have?
A: I can do sign language – I had a deaf friend at school and I wanted to be able to communicate with her as well as possible…
S: I'm a trained ballet dancer.
A: And Sabrina used to be a dental nurse. She's very good with teeth…
