MICA Paris laughs as she recalls an old Jamaican expression.

“The higher the monkey climbs the tree the more the a*** is exposed,” says the soul singer, laughing.

However the Londoner’s quoting of the more colourful adage reveals a lot about the lady. It suggests she’s all too well aware of the consequences of success.

And that she has a huge sense of humour.

Mica Paris began climbing the tree from the age of 17 when she signed with Island Records. She sang with Prince on stage and had a platinum album by the age of 19.

Now, almost 28 years on, she’s a musical theatre star, a television presenter appearing on the likes of Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff and in recent times, has been revealing her cooking skills to the world on the BBC’s Masterchef.

But along with way the mother-of-two has suffered major relationship break-ups, bankruptcy and fall-outs within the business.

“I’m a working class girl,” she says in booming voice. “What the hell do I know about friggin’money!

“But you know, I’ve never been bothered about money. What I’m bothered about is longevity in this business.”

The singer reflects; “When I had the big hit (My One Temptation) my concern was that it came to soon. And that proved to be the case.

“However, success for me is about still being current. And having a great personal life. And the answer to that is keeping it separate.”

Mica Paris seems to have achieved the balance in life – she has two kids and a partner whom she adores. And her career is vibrant and varied.

Right now, Mica is back in the spotlight on the Glasgow stage next week in Love Me Tender.

Set in a small town in fifties America, Mica plays Sylvia the barmaid. Sylvia helps contain the havoc when a guitar-playing, hip-swivelling stranger rides his motorbike into town.

And he looks just like Elvis.

"The story is derived from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and is set over twenty four hours in Sylvia's bar, as different people come in and out with their multiple love stories,” says Mica.

"What attracted me most to this show was the character of Sylvia. Sylvia is me with an American accent.”

The show is packed with Elvis songs.

"The music is phenomenal," gushes Mica. "My mum is a massive Elvis fan. It’s only now she thinks I’ve made it because I’m singing Elvis material.

“As a gospel singer, I love singing Elvis songs. People forget that Elvis was brought up in the Pentecostal Church, which is where his soulful sound came from.

“I was brought up with gospel as well.”

Mica, was raised by her grandparents, who were religious ministers.

“They were so wise. My grandmother used to say, ‘Look, you’re going to get battered a bit and that (music) industry will eat you up and break you in two. But it will all come good.”

Mica’s powerful voice wasn’t always in harmony with record business bosses.

“The business was all about fitting into a mould and I didn’t fit in easily. And in the late eighties, if you were female and had an opinion you weren’t popular.

“When Chris Blackwell was the boss of Island Records it was brilliant. But when he sold the company it all became corporate.”

Mica turned to her grandmother for support.

“What she’d say to me is ‘Turn your stars into scars.’ And that’s what I’ve tried to do.”

And now she’s working continually. And having great fun in Love Me Tender, alongside the likes of Shaun Williamson.

The former Eastender plays Mica’s love interest in the show.

“I just love Shaun,” she gushes of her co-star. “He’s such a generous actor and a great singer.

What Mica also loves about the show is it’s ‘a return to the age of romance.’

“The world at the moment seems to be about people having sex. You only have to look at the reality shows on TV to see that romance is dying with young people.

“The media is feeding this is as well and what young people are swallowing is a McDonald’s idea of love.”

“Call me old fashioned mate, but I love the way we were.”

And she loves the way her own life has turned out.

"I would describe my life as a rollercoaster and I haven't had a seatbelt on," she declares in a big booming voice which suggest she’s excited to be alive.

And she is. “I never thought I’d be in the business for twenty eight years and be a singer, a presenter, an actor, appearing on Masterchef.

“What I’m most happy about is I’m doing it all, and having great fun in a real fun musical. Life couldn’t be better.”

• Love Me Tender, the King’s Theatre, August 3 – 8, the King’s Theatre.