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Wednesday, April 20, 2016 7:00pm ET by  
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MIA: 'I feel like I should have died a long time ago'

40-year-old singer M.I.A. has revealed that growing up in a war-torn area made her think that she probably wouldn't live to be older than 25.

The 'Bad Girls' star grew up in Sri Lanka from an early age and lived through a civil war, but her family moved to the UK as refugees in 1986. Speaking to London's Evening Standard about her childhood, she explained that she didn't expect to escape Sri Lanka with her life intact:

“I feel like I should have died a long time ago. I’m surprised I’m still alive, to be honest. I came from war. When I was growing up I didn’t really think I’d live beyond about 25... I never thought I would be old enough to drive or have a house or raise a child. Having to do it is really difficult.”

She went onto talk about the time that Oprah Winfrey completely shunned her, adding: "In 2009, Time nominated me for one of the most influential people of the 21st century or something and I met Oprah at that party. And I was like, 'Hey, people are gonna fucking die in my country. Like, please pay attention.' And she was like, 'You're shit because you were rude to Lady Gaga and I'm not talking to you. And I'm gonna interview Tom Cruise jumping on my sofa, so fuck off."

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Watch M.I.A.'s video for 'Borders' below:

 

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