The gospel according to Jasmine

After the success of her debut single, Sad to Say, in 2009, many people dubbed Japanese singer Jasmine 'the next Hikaru Utada'. Since then, the 22-year-old has released several other chart-topping singles and even performed as a special guest for American singer Ne-Yo at his concert in Japan. We spoke to her when she was on her first visit to Hong Kong to sing at last Friday's Asia Music Connection concert.

Real name: Asumi Hometown: Tokyo, Japan Star sign: Taurus Chinese zodiac: Snake Album: Gold (2010)

Your first signing experience was in a gospel choir. How did it help your career?

Gospel music has helped me because when I'm writing music, especially the harmonies, I go back to some of the things that I learned when I sang in the choir.

How did you first become interested in singing?

It was my dream to be a singer. My parents were both musicians, and when I was in secondary school, I thought to myself that I'm not particularly good in school or at sports, so what can I do? In the end, I thought besides singing, I don't know much else, so I began to pursue my dream.