PALOMA FAITH is sounding off about fame. “I think we live in a culture where the idea of being iconic has been lost,” she says, sadly.

“It’s about what you don’t know about people and their mystery which makes them iconic.

“When you look back at Marilyn Monroe, she was an icon because she was always beautiful but there was a tragedy there.

“None of us knew the ins and outs of what the tragedy was.”

This deep thinking is the result of a question about Faith’s new album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful, which she’ll be performing at the O2 Academy Liverpool next month.

“Actually there’s also another meaning I attach to the title,” she continues.

“It’s about when you meet someone new and as you get older you start to reflect on the fact you're not so innocent and fresh as you used to be.

“It’s about me reflecting on the fact it may be better if I don’t tell you the truth because it might put you off, like when meeting someone new perhaps I won’t say, ‘I’ve had terrible relationships in the past and it’s always ended in tears’.”

Not that such a revelation would stop you from being intrigued by the fiery red-head, who has her own very distinctive look.

Despite her individuality, the half-Spanish, half-British singer and actress (she appeared in last year’s St Trinian’s remake and in Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) has been compared to Amy Winehouse and Duffy. She finds this flattering but inaccurate, she says.

“I think those girls are both very talented and credible and I’m honoured but, to be honest, I don't agree.

“I think we have similarities in our influences, but I’d say I add quite a lot of myself into my music and there’s a huge reference to cinema.

“I don’t think they do that.”