Like many youngsters, Jessie dreamt of hitting the big time, spending her life singing and dancing whilst touring the world.
But according to the 27-year-old it was a terrible health scare that eventually gave her the push she needed to succeed.
‘I had a minor stroke when I was 17’ Jessie told the host of Mornings television in Australia.
‘The weirdest thing is being that sick made me Jessie J.’
‘I’m very proud of myself and sometimes we have to say that and tell ourselves that. I’ve done a lot more than I thought I could.’
The star revealed in her 2012 autobiography that she suffers from a heart condition that causes an irregular heart beat.
And after her stroke in her late teens, Jessie became even more determined to make it to the top.
’There are still moments when I have to make sure I’m looking after myself and not pushing myself too hard,’ said the star.
Just last month Jessie was forced to cancel a series of concerts across Europe, after being admitted to hospital for a mystery illness, saying: ‘I have been medically advised to cancel my shows this weekend. I am simply in no way to perform.’