Avril Lavigne: I’m no pop act

Avril Lavigne is proud she was never "the girl baring her midriff" wearing a headset when she started out.

The 28-year-old singer released her debut record in 2002 and is now gearing up for her fifth LP to hit stores. Looking back, the star is glad she took an alternative path to many of the female singers who made it big around the same time.

"I wasn't the girl baring her midriff with backup dancers and a headset microphone," she told Nylon magazine. "I came out and had a lot to say with my lyrics, and I played the guitar. I had a completely different getup, stage presence, everything."

Avril explained that she finds it hard to keep her thoughts to herself. If she isn't happy she is always open about that, whether that is in her personal or her professional life.

The Canadian star is currently planning her wedding with her fiancé, Nickelback star Chad Kroeger. She was previously married to Sum 41 rocker Deryck Whibley and actually first laid eyes on Chad when she was with her ex. They were celebrating the release of her first song Complicated in a nightclub in Canada and as they left she spotted Chad.

The star couldn't be happier with Chad, explaining they have a deep connection. They have bonded through music and he features on several tracks on her upcoming release.

"Lyrically, I pushed myself to talk about different subjects I haven't talked about before," she explained. "I didn't want to be so simple. I tried to really express myself and go deeper."