At age 21, Meghan Trainor isn't falling in line with all the other pop stars - she’s leading them. The singer-songwriter’s catchy blend of pop and doo-wop on her breakout single, “All About That Bass,” had us singing along from our first listen.

And her songs aren’t just earworms, either. Her debut album, Title, is loaded with positive, empowering lyrics about embracing your figure and setting standards in relationships. Ahead of her March 6 gig at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre, we asked the pop newcomer to fill us in on some little-known facts and a few of her favourite things.

Photo © Getty

BEFORE SHE WAS A HIT
I worked at my parents’ jewelry store, Jewel of the Isle. They were my employers so they knew of my musical talents.

SHE’S QUEEN B APPROVED
Beyoncé came up to me and told me she listens to my songs and dances to them with her daughter, Blue Ivy!

PRE-SHOW PREP
Before going on stage, I do my vocal warm ups and drink a lot of tea. I sometimes say in my head, "I hope to make my parents proud.”

DREAM DUO
I would love to collaborate with Bruno Mars. I’ve always been a huge fan of his. I love all of his songs, especially “Uptown Funk” and “When I Was Your Man.”

ON THE ROAD
When I’m on tour, I keep a pillow with my two cats’ faces on it that Ellen DeGeneres gave me, the blanket with my two cats’ faces on it that my aunt Lisa gave me and my stuffed animal, Paddles.

HOT HOLIDAY
Hawaii is the most memorable place I have traveled to. It was a family trip, and what struck me the most was seeing the black-sand beaches and whale watching on the Big Island.

DREAM GIG
This year I want to work on my acting skills so I can go on SNL!

SOUVENIR SHOPPING
I collect keychains from every state we travel to on tour.

FIRST IMPRESSION
I was with my producer, Kevin Kadish, when I first heard “All About That Bass” on the radio. It was an unreal feeling, a dream come true. When Kevin and I first wrote this song we said, “The world will never hear this.” Now the entire world knows the song and there are over half a billion views on YouTube.

TASTY TREAT
Pizza is my favourite food. You can get it anywhere, but I love my Dad’s pizza!