"I never know who I'm going to fall in love with - but I do prefer women," musician Anika Moa told the NZ Herald's Canvass magazine last weekend - in her first 'coming out' interview.
Christchurch-born Moa, 27, who's signed locally with Warner Music and international with Atlantic Records in New York, had never previously spoken out about her sexuality.
"One topic has always been taboo; the fact that Anika Moa is a lesbian," wrote Claire Harvey in the article. "Family, friends and many in the industry knew, but it's only now Moa has decided it's time to tell the world."
"The first time I realised I was in love with a woman, it really took me by surprise," Moa revealed. "I remember the day I met her, and I just fell so in love with her.
"I was going out with a guy, and I was like 'Why do I feel like this?' I thought 'ooh, who am I? Where am I? What kind of life am I living?'"
The singer, songwriter and DJ said she was at the height of her fame when dealing with her same-sex attraction. "I had to cover it up, because I didn't want anyone to judge me, or think 'ooh, she's dirty'". She even made red carpet appearances with a male friend to avoid media speculation about her sexuality.
Moa's new album, her third, was written while going through a traumatic break-up with her long-term female partner, the article says. In Swings the Tide is released on Monday 8th October.
When asked her opinion on whether lesbianism is still taboo in the music business, Moa responded: "I don't know - I guess we'll see.
"This is the first ever interview where I've admitted that I'm gay and I'm willing to talk about it. So we'll see how the album sales go."