Jason Derulo has revealed a near-death experience in 2012 gave him a new outlook on life.
The American singer, who fractured his neck while rehearsing for a tour in 2012, says once he recovered he had a new zest for life.
"After I fractured my neck, I was like, 'Man, life is too short, I just gotta be myself and live my life'," Derulo has told MTV News.
"I'm gonna have a good time and not take everything so seriously."
The 24-year-old also said that, before his accident, he didn't always feel comfortable in his own skin. His new approach to life has made performing and making music a much easier process.
"I love what I do, but for so long, I was trying to be somebody that I wasn't," he said.
"When it was show time, I had to put my Jason Derulo mask on ... It was like 'OK, now it's Jason Derulo time.'
"Life is so much easier when you just be yourself. I broke into the industry when I was young, but now I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin, and life is so much easier like this."
Derulo, who is dating former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, has been promoting his fourth album, Talk Dirty.
He said the record bridges his past with his future and shows off every side of his personality.
"A lot of the album is fun, a lot of it is upbeat, feel-good music," he said.
"But there is an emotional portion to the album too. It morphs in a lot of different ways."
