Jamaican singer Diana King has given one of her rare media interviews in which she speaks of her personal life, love, marriage and career.

Ahead of last weekend’s Colombo Music Festival in Sri Lanka King, known best for her 1994 smash hit Shy Guy, spoke candidly to the New Indian Express about her life and love since she came out as a lesbian in 2012 and got married earlier this year.

“Being true to yourself and living an authentic life is the best decision a person could ever make. I did not know what would happen when I came out. I actually expected the worst, but nothing has felt better. It feels better than money or things or having hit songs, and it is something I highly recommend to anyone. Be yourself in spite of what others may think about you. Self-approval is a freedom and gift that you give to ourselves and it cannot be taken away from you,” King is quoted as saying.

She was equally expressive when it came to her marriage to violinist Mijanne Webster in January.

“I still pinch myself in disbelief. Coming from a culture and society like I grew up with in Jamaica, I never thought anything like this was possible for me… It’s been an awesome journey. I am more self-aware and mature now and I have learned to always do my best, remember to breathe and take everything one day at a time, enjoy the present moments and always be grateful. Life is short,” she reportedly told the publication.

King, who shared the stage in Colombo with fellow Jamaican Shaggy as well as British-born reggae act Maxi Priest, also spoke about her battle with multiple sclerosis (ms) the potentially debilitating disease of the brain and spinal cord.

“I was diagnosed with MS and was told I may never walk again. After months of a myriad of conflicting emotions, I realised I had to make a change. I got up one day and just walked, even though I still could not feel my legs. My doctors still cannot believe it. It was purely the power of my mind. I then learnt how to produce music and I wrote over 100 songs. And with each song I wrote, I felt better and better, happy. I have never taken any drugs for MS. Only meditation and music. Sometimes I still can’t feel my legs and you’d never know, I am equally grateful and fascinated,” she said.

The Spanish Town-born King burst onto the scene as the face of local band City Heat in the late 1980s. The break came when she signed to Sony International affiliate Chaos Records in the early 1990s. She hit gold for the label with the 1994 album Tougher Than Love, which was driven by the hit song Shy Guy which was picked up as part of the soundtrack for the film Bad Boys.

King also disclosed that new music is coming, which will be released on her own label ThinkLikeAGirL Music.