Samantha Barks

I've found that musical theater is my passion.

I love all things Christmas.

The red carpet is kind of a surreal experience. There's nothing normal about it, so for me the most important thing is to maintain some normality right until the point you get out of the car.

I can't comprehend that I'm in the film of 'Les Miserables.' It's one of those dreams I thought would be unattainable for someone like me, who came from nowhere.

If I wasn't performing, I wasn't alive. That's the truth. My parents had absolutely no interest in the business, but they knew it made me happy, so they said 'Go for it, girl!'

I'm pretty fit, and I do home workouts or yoga.

I've always been a positive, optimistic person who loves life, and I've got a lot to be positive about.

It's important to make your social life and your friends and family - make that a priority.

I'm always at my fittest when I'm doing a show - even when you're not on stage, you are running around backstage doing quick changes.

It's important to be able to keep things fresh, no matter what age you are, or how many years you've been in the industry.

Life is all about balance. My work is very important to me, but so are my relationships. I make time for that aspect of my life, and it makes me happy having balance in my life.

I began with dance, doing ballet at 3, then tap, jazz, modern. Then I sang in church choirs, learned how to play clarinet and drums, sang with rock bands and only then did I get into musical theatre.