Spotlight: Amy studt

Girls' Life, Dec, 2002

AGE: 16.

HOMETOWN: Bournemouto England but she currently lives in London. NO LITTLE GIRL Amy's list single "Just a Little Girl" is getting major radio play woodwide. When I was trying to break into the business people were quite patronizing and condescending once they found out how old I was. The song is a warning-don't underestimate when I can do:"

HER BIG BREAK: One of Amy's CDs Wound do on the desk of Simon Fuller, the Spice Girls' ex-manager and founder of Pop Idol, the UK's version of American Idol. The rest is history. "I wrote like 42 songs when I was 15 and recorded two CDs with six tracks each for fun. My friends older sister passed it on the Simon. He liked my lyrics and asked me to come to London and chat."

A FAMILY AFFAIR: Amy's dad is a professional violinist who toured with The Beatles and he "" is head of the music department at a prep school. "I think being surrounded by music either drives you mad or makes you love it."

NO COMPARISON: Don't try to compare Amy to a young Courtney Love or Tori Amos. "I wouldn't compare myself because I am not sure of who I am "" a mix of a lot of things.

MULTITALENTED: Besides writing music, she plays guitar, plane and oboe "" better at piano, but I prefer guitar because I'm still learning It's a nice change,"

DOWN TO BUSINESS: Most of her songwriting comes from personal experiences. "I come up with ideas when I'm misled by people or when I feel heartache. Whatever I feel, I write. It's a huge release."

FITTING IN: Amy was teased at an early age for being different. "People find it difficult to accept people who don't follow the norm. When I started writing I wanted to be the complete opposite of everyone else-and people resented me for it. I decided to be as me as possible. Whatever I was comfy wearing, I did. Whatever. I wanted I said just couldn't sit and talk about my nails all day"

PARTY GIRL: Amy admits she gets a little upset when her friends brag about all the great parties they hit while she's busy recording. She says her friends would describe her as crazy cheeky and intelligent "I'm always the liveliness of the party

"NO PREPPIES: Most of the guys I go out with are very down to earth. I like baggy trousers, dreadlocks, cute and scrutty guys."

Alicia Clott