To celebrate the release of single "I Can Be" we got Taio Cruz to spill the beans on all things showbiz and more importantly answer some of your questions....

Taio Cruz - I Can Be is out now - click here to order your copy now

So Taio, why did you call your album departure?
I called the album Departure for two reasons. Firstly because i feel its a departure from the norm or what people might expect from me because its not an RnB album. It's a pop album with some RnB, and Dance Influenced songs. Secondly Departure is a metaphor for the seemingly endless wait artists go through before their first album gets to be released. Just like waiting for your plane to depart at the airport "finally we have departure".

Is Taio Cruz your real name?
Yes, in a way. Taio Is my real name (originally spelled Tayo) but i changed the spelling so people would pronounce it correctly, but people still seem to get it wrong. its pronounced TY-O or Tie-O or Tai-O haha and Cruz is my mums maiden name.

Why did you name your new song 'I Can Be'? Is it something that you feel in your life?
I always feel that anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it and never give up. I wanted to create something to inspire others into feeling the same way.

What is the most amount of money you have ever spent on 1 thing?
My Aston Martin DB9 is the most expensive thing i've bought I think.

If you were not a musician what would you be doing right now?
Probably banging my head against a padded wall in an asylum somewhere.

Name 5 things you can’t live without….
Music, My family, My friends, My mobile phone, My laptop.

What do you think of Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears?
I Think they are both very talented individuals in their own ways. Vocally you cant touch Amy Winehouse and performance wise (barring the one bad performance) Britney is up there with the best of them.

You recently supported Boyz to men on tour, so are they boys or men?
They are definitely grown men. They've been in the game for over 11 years and a re still drawing in crowds of thousands of people to each show which is amazing. They're so talented.

Who is your favorite member of Girls Aloud?
Nadine Coyle is my favourite, Not only is she beautiful but her voice is unbelievable. You don't really get to hear her sing properly since she got into the band but if you go back and listen to her auditions on pop stars you'll
understand where i'm coming from.

Have you ever had a really bad interview experience?
other than this one? never! haha Just kidding. I don't remember ever having a bad interview experience so if i did it obviously wasn't too scarring.

Tell us a secret?
If i did it wouldn't be a secret now would it.

This year’s Big Brother kicks off next week, would you enter the house and if so how do you think you would get on?
I would NEVER go on Big Brother. Im far to private for that sort of thing. I did the Nokia Green Room the other day and was dreading it. It worked out ok but I couldn't do it for months. But Hypothetically if i were to go into the house i think i would get on with most people cos I'm quite a chilled person and i get on with just about everybody. Those who i didn't get on with i would just avoid i guess.

What is the most played track on your ipod?
right now i think its "Cobrastyle" by The Teddybears. check them out they're awesome!

What do you think Simon Cowell would have said to you if you would have auditioned for the X-Factor?
I have no Idea, but knowing Simon I'm sure it would have been something suitably mean! Haha

Who were your musical influences?
I've been influenced by so many artists. Mostly pop and rock artists in the 80's like michael jackson, madonna, guns n roses etc. Then in the 90's got into a lot of boys to men and mariah Carey stuff and then late 90's till now i got into a lot of Dance dj's, hip hop artists and producers.

If you could work with any modern day artists who would it be?
I'd like to work with anyone talented, no matter the genre, but in the UK I'm definitely a fan of Keane, Coldplay, Justice, Does It Offend You yeah?, Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse... I could go on for ages. In the US The list is endless as well but I'd definitely collaborate with Kanye, Justin, Timbaland, Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna, Nickelback, One Republic, Linkin Park etc.

If you could cover any track what would it be?
There are so many amazing songs out there that to pick just one is insane. but for the purposes of this interview i'll pick "kiss from a rose" by Seal.

How did your collaboration with Will Young come about?
I wrote the song with my friend Blair who had a good relationship with 19 Management. After we'd finished the song he played it to them, they in turn played it to Will, he loved it, recorded it and that was it.

Would you ever consider starring in a movie?
I'd love to star in a movie! Maybe play one of Guy Richie's comedic London gangster characters. or maybe star in a really cool sci fi action movie like The Matrix or Jumper.

(Article content copyright Galaxy 2008)