I grew up barefoot, dirty, climbing trees. It made me appreciate things more.

I'm actually a barefoot girl.

I grew up at a time in Singapore - the '70s and '80s - where it was still possible to go riding around the island barefoot. And I was one of these kids that was just climbing trees and running around the neighbourhood.

I grew up loving Etta James and Aretha Franklin and Al Green and Otis Redding, and I just love old-school R&B. It's just music that moves you and grooves you, and it was very important, I think, for music.

Being a woman has only bothered me in climbing trees.

You never know which Elle you're going to see day to day, because I wake up in different moods.