Shaking off the T-Shirt tag may be as much of a struggle for Shontelle as proving that she and countrywoman Rihanna are actually friends, but with the 24-year-old’s new single ‘Impossible’ a certified hit across the pond, we gave her a call to find out how she fancies her chances of repeating the feat over here.

Congratulations on your success with ‘Impossible’ in the US.
“Thank you so much. First of all, I love Digital Spy and I check the site all the time! Oh my gosh though, the single’s success is great because it’s really challenging breaking the US. It’s probably more challenging than breaking anywhere else, so going top ten is pretty exciting for me.”

Did you know the song would be a hit when you first heard it?
“You know, I knew it had potential but there are so many things that go together to make a song work – from the artist to the timing to having some luck! There are so many different factors, but I just really hoped people would like the way I deliver the song… and luckily it seems they did!”

Have you heard rumours that it was turned down by both Leona and Rihanna’s teams?
“You know, I’ve heard those rumours, though I’ve never had them confirmed. I don’t know for sure, but I’m really glad I recorded it!”

What’s the inspiration behind the song? Can you relate to it personally?
“Yeah, I’m literally living it right now myself. Sometimes you’re in love and it doesn’t work out and it breaks your heart – especially when it’s a person you never saw that coming from, someone you thought could be The One. I think everyone has a heartbreak story and I definitely can relate.”

And the video – it tells that story really well.
“Thank you. When we were thinking about the video, we thought about how the economy’s been crap of late, labels are cutting budgets because no-one’s buying music, and lots of videos aren’t how they used to be. You know how they’d be like mini-movies and tell a full story? We wanted to accomplish that with ‘Impossible’ and I think the director, TAJ Stansberry, did a great job.”

Of course, Lady GaGa is a big fan of the mini-movie style videos you mention. Would you be keen to make your own nine-minute promo?
“Oh my gosh, if I had that kind of budget, I’d do it too! I remember Michael Jackson’s videos used to be like that. MC Hammer too – you’d never forget his videos! Who knows, maybe we can get back to those days?”

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