Ex-Neighbours star, Holly Valance, is back with a brand new single, State of Mind, and a new rockier sound. We talk to her about her taste in men, skimpy outfits and what she misses most about home

Your new record has a much rockier sound than your previous hits. Are you into rock music?
I love it, it's one of my favourite styles. I love Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age. Electric 6, Red Hot Chilly Peppers. My other love is dance music. So I thought hmmm let's put these together for my new sound.

Is State of Mind a good indication of what to expect on the new album?
It showcases the album really well. There's a lot more continuity within this album than the last one. It's all very uplifting, upbeat and dancey.

Who have you collaborated with?
I've worked with a couple of guys from Detroit. One of them's a member of Electric 6. I did half the album with them and spent lots of time in Detroit. I recorded a little bit in LA. A lot of it was done at Metrophonic Studios, which are responsible for Enrique and Cher.

The video for Kiss Kiss caused quite a few raised eyebrows. Do you mind that people focus so much attention on your looks?
I think you'll find that for most female artists that tends to be what happens. There's an element that you have to put in which is about sex appeal. It doesn't carry you all the way but it is a definite part of the package. I think if you only had that, without any good songs or being able to perform or entertain, you wouldn't survive. It's about having an equal balance between things.

You've been in the press a lot recently about your management court case. How do you cope with negative criticism?
It comes with the job. Whether you've done anything wrong or not people will write whatever they want, so it's just a matter of not reading it, not buying into it, and hopefully the people that do read it realise that it's just fictional stories for entertainment, but don't go away actually believing it.

Have you hankered after doing more acting work since leaving Neighbours?
I haven't had time. It's really difficult to do both of them at the same time and I learnt never again to try to juggle them. I'm going to try and do a film when I've finished promoting the album - probably around May 2004. I'm dying to get back in front of the cameras. I miss it like crazy.

What kind of films would you like to do?
I love films like Chopper and American Psycho. Nitty-gritty, dark, black humour. Art-house stuff rather than a big Hollywood blockbuster. I'd like to do that one day, but I'd like to start small.

You live in London now. Is there anything you particularly miss about Australia?
I've been here nearly two years. I go home, obviously, at Christmas and I was home for like a weekend a few weeks ago.

I miss the food. I'm a big restaurant buff. I miss going to even the crappiest cafes and still getting really good food and coffee. That's why Starbucks doesn't work in Melbourne because there's just brilliant coffee in every corner store. I miss the beach and being by the water. I've lived near the water all my life, so I miss not having it at the end of my street.

What's the worst thing about living in London?
Well the press and things like that are pretty hard core, but I don't pay too much attention to that.

And the best?
There's always stuff going on here; it's a very fast, exciting place to live.

Who are your heroines?
My mum - she's an incredibly strong woman, who has given me all my good traits - and some of my bad ones. Musically, Madonna. I think Beyonce is doing some wicked stuff at the moment - and Britney. Acting-wise, I don't really have any favourite female actresses. I like Sean Penn and Edward Norton.

What's in your make-up bag?
Oh my God - so much, it's bulging! Probably every Mac product and Shiseido product under the sun. I've got really sensitive skin and they cater for that. And I'm a real matte-look kind of person, rather than shiny,and they do good make-up for the flawless matte effect.

Who are your celebrity mates?
I don't hang out with any as I'm quite a private person. When you're doing such a crazy kind of job it gets a bit much. There are quite a few that I chat to and think are lovely when I go out, but no-one who I chat to in my own time - bar the Neighbours cast, which is like a second family.

Do you see them very often?
I do. Jonathan, who plays Tad - my best friend in Neighbours- is in London at the moment so we've been hanging out. He'll come round and sit on my couch and I'll potter around the house. It's like having your brother around - really nice.

What qualities do you look for in a man?
I think laughter is the number one most important thing. Someone who can be witty and really make you giggle. I'm a kinda smartass and I need someone to keep me on my toes. And also intelligence. I've met people that are gorgeous to look at and then you have a conversation and think, 'oh dear'.

Watch Holly's latest video State of mind