Singer Fergie never forgot the curry she had in KL

It has been six years since Fergie last released an album with the Black Eyed Peas and 10 years since her debut solo album, The Dutchess.

While she may have gone rather quiet on the professional front in the past few years, a lot has been going on in her personal life.

The 41-year-old singer, who got hitched in 2009 to actor Josh Duhamel, welcomed their son, Axl Jack Duhamel, in 2013.

“I really had no idea what to expect. I just went into it with love and prayed for guidance. I had no idea how much love I could feel for another human being or how much mummy guilt I would have,” Fergie opens up about motherhood in an e-mail interview.

The Glamorous hitmaker gives us an idea of what she’s like as a mum. “I love to communicate and talk a lot with Axl to discover what he is feeling and why. I’m so female in that way,” she offers, before describing her husband as, “the best dad ever. Axl definitely wrestles more with daddy.”

She may be a successful singer both as a soloist and a member of the Black Eyed Peas, a fashion icon and a businesswoman with her own shoe line, but they all come second to being a mother.

“Having a child is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Learning to be a mum required me to put family as the first priority. As I slowly added everything back in, I discovered that my work projects were taking a lot longer because I now had to balance everything with family first.”

One of those work projects is of course her long-awaited sophomore solo album, Double Dutchess, which is slated for release later this year.

Fergie, whose real name is Stacy Ann Ferguson, had no problems getting back into the swing of things despite having been on a long break.

“It’s a fun thing to get in the studio and make music. It’s not scary. I feel very at home in the studio and creating,” she shares, adding the challenge instead was in balancing her career and family life.

The singer goes on to describe the album as “a full meal with many sauces and flavours. Some dishes are like dessert while others are more meaty.”

Asked if the album will be true to the sounds her fans have come to know and love or draw more from the music trends of today, she says: “I really had fun exploring modern sounds and new subject matters while still having a mixture of pop, hip-hop, throwback, dance, reggae, tropical and rock.”

Black Eyed Peas

Fergie joined The Black Eyed Peas in 2003. Photo: Agency

Fergie names her current single, Life Goes On, as one of her most personal tracks on the yet-to-be-released album. “It definitely pulls the layers back to show you my more vulnerable side – the side which needs a pep talk once in a while when negativity tries to take a hold of me.”

The mid-tempo tune is chock-full of inspirational messages reminiscent of her 2007 hit single Big Girls Don’t Cry.

Another track Fergie definitely identifies with has to be lead single, M.I.L.F.$., released last July. Preferring to see the acronym as Mums I’d Like To Follow, Fergie sings about mothers who are also independent, hardworking career women. What’s more, stereotypical depictions of mothers in matronly garb are replaced by stylish, risque numbers in the song’s music video.

“Being a great mum doesn’t mean you can’t also be so much more, including sexy and fun,” reasons Fergie, who is joined by celebrity mums Kim Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, Ciara and Alessandra Ambrosio in the clip.

It is hard to miss Fergie’s svelte physique on screen in the video, what with her clad in numerous skin-tight outfits.

wild orchid

Fergie (centre) was in the girl group Wild Orchid in the 1990s.

“I work out all the time and eat healthy most of the time! I also switch my workout up to trick my muscles,” she shares on staying in shape.

It’s not just her toned bod that’s the envy of many. Fergie and her husband have been married for eight years now – a rather long time by Hollywood’s standards.

She lets us in on the secret to her happy marriage: “Checking in with each other, communicating and always carving out that special time for us.”

The dynamic performer first made her foray into the music business as a member of female trio Wild Orchid in 1991, before joining the Black Eyed Peas in 2003. Her acting career began much earlier, when she became a series regular on children’s TV show, Kids Incorporated, at age nine.

“Being in the group helped me have a very detailed ear because of all the harmonies,” she looks back on her time in Wild Orchid.

The girl group, which also included Renee Sandstrom and Stefanie Ridel, made its way to Kuala Lumpur for a promotional tour back in the 1990s.

“We worked really hard and LOVED coming to KL!” she says enthusiastically and even recalls sampling some Malaysian food during her time here, “We were excited about all the curry.”

Having started out in showbiz since she was a kid, Fergie reflects on how the industry has evolved over the years.

“Social media! I love it and the connection you get, but it’s a whole new job that takes time and nurturing. And attention spans are shorter than ever,” she points out the biggest change then and now.

“I do miss the time before anyone at any time in any place might be filming you or taking your picture. It’s not just paparazzi anymore! However, I do know that it’s part of the gig.” She adds streaming services have also changed how music is being consumed these days.

On whether the Black Eyed Peas’ has a new project brewing (as band member Will.I.Am recently teased), she simply remarks: “You’ll have to wait and see.”

Oh come on, where is the love, Fergie?

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