How did your upbringing inform the person you are now?
I like having routine because it’s something I never had as a child, beyond school. I have nothing to complain about, but it’s been hard to be me because they’re Sharon and Ozzy — and some people love them, some people don’t. It’s meant that people have ideas about who I am supposed to be.
What other lessons have you learnt from your parents?
They always taught me that loyalty comes first, and that family is all you really have. Also to stand by your convictions, to show up when you say you will and not dump people at the drop of a hat.
How do you deal with reading about your family in the press all the time?
You always want to defend your family, especially when you know what’s written isn’t the truth. I try not to read too much into it and tell myself that people gossip because they have nothing else to talk about. I’m also a believer in karma — what goes around comes around — something I learnt young due to my own bad behaviour.
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Everybody is talking about your recent weight loss. how did you do it?
Going on Dancing with the Stars kick-started it. I was training for eighthours a day and lost 20lb. When you’re young, it’s all about the quick fix,but I realised that when it comes to losing weight there isn’t one. Good old-fashioned diet and exercise is the only way. After the show, I got a trainer.All those Hollywood girls work out all day, every day, but I just do 45minutes a day.
What is in your larder?
I grew up on Linda McCartney shepherd’s pies and I’m obsessed with them. They can’t make them in the States, it comes out like soup with mash on top. In my fridge it’s Babybel cheese and water. I eat out — even breakfast is at a meeting most days.
Was it something you wanted to do for a long time?
Well, wouldn’t you, if you didn’t like the way you looked and were called fat every day? Every girl wants to lose weight. Every girl thinks there is something wrong with the way she looks.
What did your mum teach you about body image?
She’s very understanding — she’s been every size. And she always says if you don’t like what you see, there are ways to change it. You have to love you beforehand, though.
How would you describe your work ethic?
I’ve been working 16-hour days, and travelling from the set of the film I’m doing in New Orleans [I’m Like Sooo Undercover, with Miley Cyrus] to LA twice a week to film my show Fashion Police. But I’m a believer in the idea that you don’t get what you want unless you put the work in.
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You’ve also had a singing career and been a reality star. Did you always want to act?
Yes, but I was always cast as the fat girl or the weird girl in the corner. That’s not what I wanted to be. Since losing weight I can go for more challenging, fun roles that aren’t so dark.
Where do you live, and why?
Home is LA right now, because that’s where my family is. I prefer London, because that’s where I grew up and it’s where my culture is. There’s more freedom to be who you want to be in Britain. Americans are so afraid of what they don’t know, they judge so deeply. But the British media is more intrusive. It’s so hard-core — it’s why my parents don’t live there.
Who is your closest companion?
I don’t like doing stuff alone and I travel with my assistant, David, who hates me (joke!). I find it easier to work with men, especially at close quarters. Girls get jealous — no matter how good friends you are.
What have you learnt about style from working on fashion police?
I’ve learnt more about being a professional from Joan Rivers. She’s amazing — she walks on set and introduces herself to the whole audience. My way of working with people hasn’t changed, but the new, improved me can’t be mean to people, even if they’re a dick to me.
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Kelly Osbourne co-hosts Fashion Police, Sundays at 6.30pm, on E! Entertainment Television