The Dutchess Reigns Again

More than a decade after her solo debut, the newly single Fergie, 42, returns with her soul-baring second album, Double Dutchess, out now.

- Madison Vain

It’s been 11 years since you released The Dutchess, which spawned No. 1 hits like “London Bridge” and “Glamorous.” How ready are you to get this album out into the world?

I feel like I’m nine months pregnant. But as people were getting more and more disappointed that the album wasn’t coming out, it made me more motivated to put out something great. So of course I’m an overachiever and decided that I’m going to give everyone a full visual experience and do a video for every song.

You married actor Josh Duhamel in 2009, and then in 2013 you welcomed your son, Axl. Is that why this record took so long?

Yes! They can keep banging on my door [to release an album], but I’m like, “I’m with Axl. I’m off the grid! Bye!” [Ed. note: After this interview took place, Fergie announced that she and Duhamel had separated earlier this year. “We are and will always be united in our support of each other and our family,” she said in a joint statement.]

How else did becoming a mother change your relationship with music?