A founding member of one of the biggest girl groups in the UK, if anyone knows the entertainment industry (flaws and all) it's Keisha Buchanan. Keisha's journey in the Sugababes and becoming a certified vlogger shows us she's not only the Jill of all trades, but the master of many. ReVamp had the pleasure of talking with the multifaceted star, where she shared the best moments from her career, dealing with imposter syndrome and the importance of a strong support system.

You’ve had such an iconic career, what’s been one of your favourite moments?

Yes it’s been an amazing ride! I have so many cool memories but a highlight for me will always be touring. I loved every tour but Angels with Dirty Faces was my favourite as it was our first major tour. We had the best time.

When did you know you’d ‘made it’ as a pop star?

During the height of our success I could recognise that people knew who we were and how exciting it was to be greeted at TV stations by fans and paparazzi, but we were always on to the next thing so I never got to smell the roses as much as I should have. For me it hits home more so now. I meet people who say they grew up listening to the Sugababes which is lovely and I still get shocked when meeting other artists like Stormzy & Jorja Smith who show love. I assume they wouldn’t know anything about us but I guess it opens my eyes to the impact we had.

What was your most memorable outfit you wore in the Sugababes?

My most memorable outfit would be the sparkly dress from the video “In The Middle”! 

What’s your favourite song that you’ve written and why? 

I really can’t choose one because each has a personal story to me. I’d say the standout tracks would be “Situations Heavy” and “Whatever Makes You Happy”. I wrote them in 10 minutes and at a time in my life where I was dealing with a lot: trying to juggle being so young in this industry and dealing with the obstacles that came with it like friends, boys etc. My verse in “Stronger” was exactly how I was feeling at that time, dealing with depression but trying to be optimistic.

You’ve recently entered the world of vlogging. What made you want to take the step into social media?

I started vlogging in 2008 and even before then I always enjoyed recording videos, but there was no platform to put it on. By the time there was, I was in my head too much. I began second guessing myself and overthinking what people would possibly say, so I kept everything under wraps until lockdown hit. I finally felt brave enough and realised that this is a platform that I get to be myself on, without anyone else’s narrative. I’m glad I made the right decision!

How do you stay motivated and focused even on the tough days?

Just like everyone else, I have my struggles that tap in every now and then but I have a great support system. We rotate checking in on each other by sending uplifting videos and online church serves, which helps a lot. The main thing for me is protecting my energy and I do that by praying and trying my best to keep focused on the good things in this life and not what I can’t control.

We’ve seen a lot of Black female artists call out their experience in the industry. Have you seen any changes within the music industry since you started?

I believe there is change happening. People are being called out and we are all coming together to make a change. I am so proud of those who have stepped up by sharing their experiences. I said to Leigh-Anne from Little Mix that she is super lucky this has happened during a time where she will be heard! Beautiful thing to see.

What advice would you give to upcoming singers?

If you’re wanting to be in the music industry because you love to sing then you’ll be disappointed. There’s so much more that goes into it. Learn the business of the music industry first and do a background check on everyone who wants to do business with you. If an artist is suing their accountant you probably would want to avoid them! *laughs*

If there’s one thing you want to be known for on this earth, what would it be?

Someone who handles adversity with grace and sass! Who gets back up and helps others to do the same. Someone who loves God and people.