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Normani Kordei, 21, is proof that millions of fans, chart-topping songs, and music awards don't preclude you from adversity: A member of the popular girl group Fifth Harmony since 2012, Normani still struggles with insecurities, reimagining Fifth Harmony as a foursome after one member — Camila Cabello — suddenly left in 2016, and using her platform to make a difference. Now a global ambassador for the American Cancer Society, which fights the disease that threatened her mother, currently afflicts her grandfather, and took her uncle’s life when he was just 33, the pop star recently opened up to Cosmopolitan.com about how the resilience she learned from mom has helped in difficult transitions and to overcome her insecurities.

What it was like to see your mom fight cancer at such a young age?

When you're that young, you're not really fully able to comprehend things, but I remember my grandmother picking me up from school and telling me, "Hey, mommy's sick." As a kid, I thought about how I'd been sick before, with a cold or something minor. I didn't really understand the severity of cancer at the time.

During my mom's six months of chemotherapy, though, I remember how my mom would say her hair was shedding, that it kept falling out. Then, one day, I came home from school to see her sitting in the restroom while my father shaved her head. Afterwards, I had trouble recognizing her as my mom — and that scared me. I remember her being so hurt by the situation that she cried.

Although it was long ago, I also remember her putting up a strong front — not just for herself, but for our family. She's always been a source of strength for us — she's been a hero for me in particular, because she believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. It's a blessing to have her alongside me on tour and it's something I don't take for granted ... She's been in remission since 2001, and I'm really grateful that she's here to see me live out my dreams.

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American Cancer Society

How has witnessing your mom's cancer battle affected you?

My mom's resilience throughout recovery has inspired me in everything I've gone through, from seeing her go through breast cancer, to my family and I having to leave everything behind to move to a different state after Hurricane Katrina. Seeing her get through cancer with hope helped me believe in myself at times when I've struggled with confidence in my craft, which still happens — even as a member of the biggest girl group in the world. I've gotten a lot better at recognizing my strengths and realizing it's OK to pat myself on the back, but I still compare myself to others, which began at a very young age. I'm a work in progress, I guess.

It sounds like a case of Imposter Syndrome.

Most definitely. And it's crazy, because when outsiders see pop stars, they think of us performing at the VMAs, and hype it up. They think we have it all together when really, we don't. We have our insecurities and our doubts about ourselves. It's just life, but different because it's magnified.

What is it like to speak publicly about sensitive topics?

I feel like I have a responsibility and duty to inspire people, whether that be my fans or millions of Instagram followers. It's a blessing for me to have a platform — it's cool that people are willing to sit down and listen, then take away something that could make their day a little bit better. It's also been amazing to see fans who've heard me tell my mom's story tweet at her with love and support.

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How do you take care of yourself, mentally and physically, and make sure you never push yourself too hard for the good of the group?

It can be kind of hard, because we're continuously working every day. Sometimes I need to stop, but I don't even recognize it, so it's good for Mom — my best friend — to be out on the road with me and keep an eye out for when I'm being pushed too far physically or mentally ... Touring is always the hardest, because I'm really attached to home, and I just like to be stable and in one place for more than a week and a half.

I relate to Ally [Brooke] a lot — we're both from Texas. I actually remember her climbing in my bunk one night while we were on tour, and we cried and laughed together. It's helpful knowing that I have somebody that I can talk to, and girls that are going through the same exact thing as me, since no one else can fully understand our experience.

How can young women without millions of fans help fight cancer?

It doesn't matter how many fans you have ... Just go to the organization's website and get more information. There are walks and races you can participate in, or you can visit patients at one of ACS's facilities. A few months ago, my mom and I went to visit one where we got to sit down and talk to the patients. Even though many of them were older and didn't necessarily recognize me, they were really excited. It's just one example of what young people can do — and it made a difference in their world.

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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.