Sexy and strong ... Brandy chats to us about her troubled life

By Jacqui Swift

R&B STAR Brandy reckons if she hadn't hit rock bottom a few years ago she wouldn't be where she is today.

The singer and TV star has battled anorexia, an emotional breakdown and a failed marriage - but says she's now stronger and happier than ever.

The 25-year-old says: "I celebrate all the things I've gone through, as I got back up and I'm here. I've been through a world of chaos and good times as well.

"When you can get up from the bad things then you can conquer anything. Now I'm able to think about it, talk about it and I can relate to other people with similar problems."

"Having to go to the hospital because I was sick from everything I was doing to myself was terrible. I wasn't eating or giving my work my best shot."

However not everything was bad for Brandy as when she was in hospital, she found the strength to deal with her problems.

She added: "Being that low was when I had a breakthrough and became the type of woman I wanted to be.

"I knew I had to change and I knew if I didn't change I was going to be like this for the rest of my life.

"Sometimes you have to go through those things to realize who you are. The person I was at the time, that's not the person who I wanted to be."

But that wasn't the end of her troubles.

She then "married" music producer Robert Smith in July 2001, but the couple split just two years later, a year after they'd had daughter Sy'rai.

Smith later announced on live radio that they didn't divorce because their marriage had been a farce - and they were never even married at all.

Brandy was devastated about his hurtful revelation in public.

She was reported to say: "I am deeply hurt and shocked by the things Robert has been saying," but acknowledged that the pair had enjoyed a spiritual union rather than a matrimonial one.

Now engaged to basketball player Quentin Richardson, her heartache over what Smith did is in the past.

Teen star ... Brandy shot to fame when she was just 14

Brandy first came to America's attention in sitcom Thea, when she was only 14.

She wooed over fans and critics alike and was soon given her own show Moesha.

When she was just 16, the star released her self-titled album, which went on to sell over three million copies.

She then won a Grammy for The Boy Is Mine and starred in TV Movie Cinderella with Whitney Houston.

Brandy reckons that becoming a superstar when she was just a teenager meant she missed out on normal teenage life.

She says: "I've not had a normal life and I've missed out on doing normal things as everything I've experienced, I've had to do in the public eye."

Brandy even allowed her pregnancy - right up to delivery – to be followed by cameras for a MTV reality series.

But despite missing out on some of her childhood, she wouldn't discourage Sy'rai from following her into entertainment.

She says: "If my daughter wanted to follow me into this business then I wouldn't stop her.

"Instead I would advise her to do what she wants to do, especially as she would be sharing her talents with the world with her singing.

"I think I'm the best person to advise her how to do it, what to stay away from and what to do.

"I would definitely be influential in her life but I would not push her and I would certainly never be her manager like my mom is to me. I wouldn't want to get caught up in that part of it.

"I'm not business minded anyway and I'd feel bad if I ever had to get tough on her."

Brandy's mom Sonja has been her manager since she started out over 10 years ago.

But earlier this year Brandy sacked her, replacing her with a new manager - who lasted for just six months.

She explains: "I re-hired mom as moms do know best. I went out there but no-one matched the passion of my mom.

"And I think she was happy for me to see what was out there, so I would never question or wonder ever again.

Now happily working together again, Brandy is looking forward to recording a new TV series which she is just finalizing with Fox Broadcasting and Touchstone TV.

She says: "It's a brand-new show and I'm working with the two producers who produced Cinderella and Chicago - Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. They're going to be producing the show with me and my mum.

"I'm really excited because it's a brilliant team of people. I was really goofed about doing more television.

"It was all about my music and having nothing to distract me from that.

"But then this came along and Fox is a massive network. It was such a big opportunity that I couldn't refuse.

"If someone believes in you that much then you don't want to let them down. I shoot the pilot in January next year.

"I'm not just a one-sided entertainer. I can do everything given the chance. I'm not saying that from a cocky standpoint, but I have so much to give.

"I want to give all that I have, not just one side." - ArtsyStuff Magazine

# Brandy's album Afrodisiac is out now.