'Freak Of Nature'

Anastacia burst onto the music scene in 2000 and in just two short years has become an international success.

She's already sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and wowed critics and audiences alike with her powerful vocal style and range.

Anastacia performs her newest single, "You'll Never Be Alone," on The Early Show and tells of her rise to fame, her battle with Crohn's disease and why she's a self-described freak of nature.

The glasses-wearing, scar-baring, Chicago-born, New York-raised, American blonde has taken Europe by storm. Anastacia became an international superstar with multi-platinum sales in more than a dozen countries.

American audiences are finally catching on to what the fuss is all about. Her second album "Freak of Nature" was released in the U.S. in June 2002 and the single "One Day in Your Life" quickly rose to No.1 and became a summer sensation.

Anastacia co-wrote all 12 songs on "Freak of Nature." She says the title of the album reflects the powerful sound she produces from her 5-foot, 3-inch frame.

The singer may be living a music celebrity lifestyle, but she faces a serious medical problem. She was first diagnosed when she was 13. Anastacia battles Crohn's disease and has a six-inch scar across her stomach from Crohn's related surgery, which she proudly displays.

Crohn's is an inflammatory bowel disease. In the illness, there is an abnormal immune response that causes white blood cells to infiltrate the intestinal lining — causing chronic inflammation. These cells then produce noxious products that ultimately lead to tissue injury.

Anastacia has won numerous awards for her work include: Best International Female Singer at this year's Edison Music Awards in Holland, Best New International Artist at the 2001 World Music Awards, won Best Female Pop Artist at the 2001 MTV Europe Music Awards and was recently nominated for two British awards.