Born: Santa Monica, California.
Lives: New York.
Age: 27.
Family: Two brothers, one sister. We're all really close. As the eldest I felt really protective of them. I guess I felt I had to be responsible, but you can't be protective for too long.
Earliest childhood memory: Sitting on a doorstep in New York thinking about the fact that it was June, and my birthday was coming up and I was going to be three years old.
Did you enjoy school? Actually I did. I liked it a lot.
First job: Besides baby sitting, I think it was walking dogs for people who couldn't walk them during the day. My first proper job was as a summer camp counsellor.
Favourite current records: "So" (Peter Gabriel), "Talk Talk Talk" (Psychedelic Furs), "The Whole Story" (Kate Bush).
First live performance: It was january 2 1976 I think. I was 16 years old, I think I was so nervous that no one would be able to hear me that I practically shouted through the whole thing.
Do you think you're a shy person? I think I have my moments of shyness but I don't think I'm as shy as the press make me out to be. If I was really a shy person I'd have never got on the stage - I'd still be a receptionist.
Compared to most rock n'roll singers I'm shy but not compared to most other people. Your current world tour doesn't end until December. Don't you find it tiring? I'm starting to feel the effects of it around now. But it does take a lot out of you. If you're the Beastie Boys and you make a living out of smashing things up and going out drinking, that's one thing, but if you're trying to sing and write and play the guitar it's difficult.
Favourite item of clothing: Right now it's my black leather jacket. I have a bunch of them, but this new one is my favourite. I found it in a vintage shop and it was the only one left, and it fitted me perfectly.
Favourite books/writers: I like The Unbearable Lightness Of Being (Milan Kundero) and Wuthering Heights. I like John Steinbeck.
Actors/Actresses: Marlene Dietrich, just for the strength of her personality. I like Mickey Rourke - not all of his films are that good but he's a really interesting person.
Didn't you audition for Desperately Seeking Susan? I was asked to read for the part of Susan. They said they didn't think I was right for the part, and I must say I agree with them when I found out they were looking for Madonna!
What was it like being on Wogan? I thought he was a nice guy but I think he might have forgotten his questions, because he asked completely different ones to the ones we rehearsed!
What's the worst thing about being successful? You lose a certain amount of privacy. People demand more from you; they see your face and think they know you, and so they write to you, and ask you questions, and disrupt your dinner to ask for an autograph. I always try to be polite because I know what it's like to be a fan.
Phobias: I am afraid to approach strangers in the street and ask for directions or anything, to the point where I'll wander round lost for hours. It's funny, because I talk to strangers every night on stage!
What's the best country you've visited? I like England because I feel very well received here. I feel very much at home here.
Have you ever considered living in England? It's crossed my mind... but I think I'd get homesick.