The Complex 7: Laura Izibor

You may not have heard of Irish-born singer/song writer Laura ‘Izzy’ Izibor (memo to Vh1Soul, get your market-saturation game up!), but she’s making waves in Dublin and is now looking to serenade America with songs like “Mmm”, which was featured in Seven Pounds and Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married. She recently wrapped up a tour with John Legend, Aretha Franklin and Estelle, and now she’s on the road with Maxwell, promoting her debut album Let The Truth Be Told, which drops today.

With buzz going around about her being a younger version of Alicia Keys, we decided to meet up and tap in on what the Laura Izibor hype was about through the Complex 7 experience. Read on to see her take on narcissistic men, Prince’s shoes, what gets her in the mood and more…

Interview by Grace Efuwape

#1: WHAT’S THE NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL BOYFRIEND?

Laura Izibor says: I think vanity. I think if a guy spends longer in the mirror than me and catches himself in every reflection, I just can’t stand it. I can’t even be friends with somebody like that. Just you know, look after himself, look in the mirror, “I’m cool” and out the door. That’s it. All the guys, they’re always fixing themselves in every reflection and that’s just so unattractive to me.

#2: WHAT TYPE OF FOOTWEAR WOULD MAKE YOU COMPLETELY DISMISS A MAN AS A POTENTIAL HOOK-UP?

Laura Izibor says: You know those Prince-like boots that have the heel? The only sound you should hear are my heels. They’re kind of half-cowboy, half-… it’s just like [stomps heels.] Imagine that. You’d be like “oh my God, change”. I’ve actually seen a lot of them. It’s scary. It’s kind of a height thing to get the extra, you know. [Laughs.]

#3: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RAP ALBUM?

Laura Izibor says: The one I can’t stop listening to right now is T.I.’s Paper Trail. That’s the truth. It’s great, every song. “No Matter What,” just those drums. It’s crazy.

#4: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD OR HANGOVER REMEDY?

Laura Izibor says: I don’t really drink, so it’s chocolate, any kind of chocolate. Ice cream, anything. I just raided the mini-bar yesterday!

#5: WHAT’S THE MOST EFFECTIVE APHRODISIAC FOR YOU?

Laura Izibor says: Music. There is nothing sexier than a sexy ass song to get you. Have you ever heard the song “Cry To Me” by Solomon Burke? Seen Dirty Dancing? [Starts singing.] It’s the scene, THE scene. That one, any Al Green song, Marvin Gaye, “Let’s Get It On.” When you hear a sexy song, that to me is the song where you’re like ‘oooooh’. A great-looking guy could walk into the room and the music can make it so hot but if he just stands there, it doesn’t do anything. The music can just bring everything to life.

#6: WHO’S A CHILDHOOD CRUSH YOU CAN’T BELIEVE YOU HAD?

Laura Izibor says: [Laughs.] Well, see, I still think he’s still kinda cute, though. [Laughs.] I used to love Will Smith, but now he’s kind of more cute and still kind of does this goofy thing. He was actually more goofier younger—in Independence Day, I was like, “I wanna marry that man”. I don’t believe I have any major embarrassing ones; maybe I’ve just like blocked it out of my brain so badly.

#7: WHO’S YOUR WOMAN CRUSH?

Laura Izibor says: Everybody always says Angelina Jolie, but she’s so skinny these days. When she came out as Lara Croft she was rocking it. Do you know who just has a continuous sex appeal like 24/7? Gabrielle Union. She is just so sexy all the time ’cause she’s smirking with her eyes; she’s cute but you know she’s not just cute.