Dua Lipa started planning third album before her debut was finished

[SpaceJam]

Dua Lipa was planning her third album before her debut.

The 'Illusion' hitmaker is set to drop new LP 'Radical Optimism' on May 3, and the idea of the record being produced by Tame Impala's Kevin Parker goes back to before she finished work on her 2017 self titled LP.

Dua, 28, told Time100 magazine: "I remember when I was working on my first album, I was making notes on what my third album was going to be.

"It's mad to think about, but I remember speaking to my close friend and A+R Joe, 'Maybe album three, I could work with Kevin Parker', and he was like, 'Alright, hold your horses, let's take baby steps.' "

However, Dua was already full of ambition and was planning for her first two albums to prove she was "deserving to be in a room" with someone respects "so deeply".

She added: "Since I was very little, I've jotted down things I dreamt for myself. I've always planned ahead.

"Although surprises arise that I evaluate in the moment, there's always been a long-term goal."

She is a big believer in "manifesting" your goals, and she encouraged people to write their dreams down to help make them come true.

She explained: "It's important to just write things down, you never know what could come true. Manifesting is a big thing for me.

"Subconsciously, you just work towards them. Nothing's too big."

The singer and actress has evolved as an artist and person since her debut seven years ago, and her latest single is an example of that development.

Dua - who was named by Time100 as one of the most influential people in the world - noted she is "definitely not the same person" as she was when she wrote her first record.

She said: "I've evolved and learned so much, taking it as it comes, not seeing anything as bad or something as a setback.

"That involves a lot of growing and understanding myself, knowing my worth, whether it be in business, love, or friendship."