Check out below the Nicole’s interview for September issue of Cosmopolitan UK magazine:

My family wasn’t given anything for free. We only knew one word: work, I don´t know when to stop! Nicole confesses to Cosmo. This is a massive understatement. Yesterday she came from the recording studio after just one hour’s sleep for an all-day photo shoot for her Cosmo cover, before heading straight back to the studio to work on her second solo album. After grafting through the night, she’s now curled up under a blanket in an armchair at her Hollywood Hills home with another single hour’s sleep behind her. We have eve bags the size of a Mulberry tote just thinking about it…but workaholic Scherzy looks completely gorgeous, makeup-free and dressed down in a.

“This was the first house I bought for myself”, she smiles proudly, welcoming us into her cozy Hawaiian haven of a home. It’s filled with keepsakes from the paradise island where she was born – from books and art to she trillion pictures of her family that cover her black grand piano. And boy, she’s earned it. Nicole hasn’t stopped working her butt off since she was a teen. She performed in theatre shows and was a backing vocalist before she won her place in girls Eden’s Crush on US talent show Popstars when she was 22. Fast forward 12 years (and 5 million UK record sales as lead singer for The Pussycat Dolls and solo), and she’s come full circle: as an X Factor UK judge after a stint on the US version last year.

Just after our interviews the tabloids scream with stories claiming Nicole has read the riot act to her on/off love of five years, F1 Lewis Hamilton, after he was pictured partying in a hotel with 10 women. Ouch, But while she chatted happily about the “L word” to Cosmo, we have a feeling that she´ll be just fine no matter what happens. Because, as we’re about to find out, fiercely independent Nicole is no stranger to doing things for herself…

You seem to literally work 24/7. Do you ever take a break?

“I do more so now. I think that’s important. For my birthday [she turned 34 in June] I got spoilt it was the best birthday of my life. It started in Vegas with my friends; the I hopped over to London with Lewis, then the south of France, and finished in Mexico with my friend. It’s in my blood to work hard. I could always be better – I’m insatiable in that way. It feels good to keep climbing”

It´s great to have you on X Factor UK. What does it mean to you?

“I got my start on a show like this. I stood in line at 4am for the auditions so I definitely relate to everybody there. I loved coming to the UK last time [when she was a guest judge in 2010] and I was like, I hope they still like me.”

There´s a history of rival among the female judges. Will there be fireworks between you and Tulisa?

“I always speak about how women should empower each other – I felt close to Paula when I did US X factor, and it’s great to work with Tulisa. She’s fun and a cool chick. We’re all on the same team together. I love her a lot.”

You weren’t asked to return to the US version of the show – did that put you off doing in there?

“Originally my reservations were that I wanted to focus on my music and I didn’t want anything to get in the way. But this has worked perfectly with my life and my career. The thing I battled with last year [on US X Factor] was the rejection part, having to let contestants go. But I’ve grown since then. I’ll make sure I continue to give 110% but not wear my heart on my sleeve as much.”

Being a judge seems to attract criticism in itself. Did that bother you?

“I’ve got 20 years experience in my back pocket. If I didn’t know what I was talking about I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on. But I felt confident I gave it my all. People didn’t see I committed six days a week and put everything to one side to help those contestants. You only have one person to answer to at the end of the night, and of you’re happy with yourself that’s all that matters. It’s hard when you feel the pressure. Sometimes people lose their identity in this industry. But I refuse to waver from who I am.”

Have you always been that strong?

“No, I was always insecure. I was blessed with having drive [to be a singer] from a young age and I was successful in all the theatre stuff I did. But I found many of my classmates didn’t like me a lot in college. I was probably like many young women – I wanted everyone to like me: I was really soft-spoken and unsure. It wasn’t until I went through some tough times I changed. Now I think. I ain’t going through that. I’m not letting nobody push me around no more – no one is going to bully me: That takes acceptance of yourself – we’re so hard on ourselves. When you have respect for yourself and you know your own identity, people are attracted to that.”

You and Lewis are often on opposite sides of the world. How do you support each other?

“We’re there for one another even though we have long, enduring schedules. But you have to be there for your mate, you know.”

What has he taught you about life?

“Well, I didn’t know anything about Formula One until I met him [laughs]. We’re form similar upbringings, so we share a similar outlook. We’re kindred spirits and hearts – that’s what ultimately connects us. I’m very close with his family too; we’re all close.”

What’s important to you in your relationship?

“Ultimately, you want to be with someone you can be yourself around. My grandma taught me the person you want to be with isn’t going to be. Prince Charming – it’s going to be the person you’re going to be able to work on a relationship with. It’s always a work in progress like everything.”

What´s your secret to making it work?

“You have to love yourself first before you can expect it from someone else. And trust and communication are key.”

What kind of girlfriend are you?

“I definitely have that tradition in me where I want to take care of my guy. I saw how much my mum enjoyed taking care of her family and I have that nurturing gene. But you need balance. I work hard and I’m and independent woman. It’s important to be in control. That’s what I try to get across in my music it’s that thing where everybody goes through dark times and sometimes loses themselves in love and relationships. But when you define yourself again, the power and strength you get is even greater. That’s when you really get empowered.”

What are you like off-duty?

“When I got home I’m the same girl – just without all the lashes and lights and glamour. My sister has three kids so I’m Auntie Nani and those nieces are everything to me. I have a big family in Kentucky and Hawaii – when I’m there I’m running around with 12 kids playing games. Family means everything It keeps everything in perspective.”

Are you ready to start a family?

“It always read in the papers that ‘Nicole wants babies’ and I’ve never said I wanted babies NOW [laughs]. I’m not ready yet, but s I come from a big family, one day I’d like to have my own.”

Who inspires you?

“My mum is my everything. Recently she came to the UK and I took her to an X Factor audition in Newcastle. It was the first stamp on her passport. That was really special. I thought it was going to be too much for her because it was a short trip but she was so excited!”

What did being a Pussycat Dolls teach you?

“How to accept myself. There was nowhere to hide in those outhits! [laughs]. And it was cool to be in a girl group, it’s empowering when you’ve got a sister to back you up.”

What’s your own friendship group like?

“ I love people, but I tend to be shy and stay within my little circle. I roll with the same crew they get me and they’ve been there for me through the good and bad. My sister is in our group too. We speak pretty much every day. It’s important to confide in friends – when you’re confused or feel alone they pick you up. We just went to Mexico and we had so much fun. One friend was so pale – she was like. I gotta get some sun! Then she was beetroot-red by the end of the day and were laughing so much”

You always look great – what are your secrets?

“I’ve lived many years of being strict with my diet. But now I’m about balance. So I eat sweets, cake and I work hard. I loved the cake so much yesterday [on her Cosmo cover shoot] I asked for the recipe – it was beautiful”. [Note: She loved it so much she even politely asked to take the leftovers home].

You helped out with the Haiti earthquake rescue mission. Do you still find time to do charity works?

“I don’t know if it’s selfish because / get so much fulfillment out of it, but it excites me to be with special needs kids and families. My aunt has Down’s syndrome so it’s very close to my heart. I don’t think I’ve actually told anybody this before, but while many people are parrying on a Saturday night – and I’ve had my fair share of that, believe me – some weekends I visit an association for adults with special needs. They have casino nights so I take my girls and we go gambling and have a gay old time.”

You’re at your busiest right now are you at your happiest?

“I’m probably in one of the best places of my life. Life gets easier the more you’ve been through. I wasn’t able to always enjoy things because I worked too hard. Now I’m able to enjoy life, it’s awesome. And I have so many things I still want to accomplish. I always say. I´m just getting stared!”

The X Factor starts on Saturday 18 August on ITV1