Meghan Trainor talks touring with kids, her love of T-Pain and learning self-acceptance

In USA TODAY’s The Essentials, celebrities share what fuels their lives whether it's at home, on the set or on the road.

Along with her current singles "To the Moon" and "Been Like This" and a well-received tour behind her new album, "Timeless," Meghan Trainor's music is suddenly more ubiquitous than ever.

Her "Criminals," a supplement on the deluxe version of "Timeless," quickly earned pop culture takeover status from its use in the can't-tear-your-eyes-away dance-sequence credits of Nicole Kidman's soapy Netflix murder mystery, "A Perfect Couple" ("The coolest accomplishment of my life," Trainor says).

She's also heard weekdays as the perky voice on the theme song for "Today with Hoda and Jenna," the fourth hour of the frothy morning show and a frequent visiting spot for Trainor ("I've known Hoda (Kotb) since I was 19. It's like my second home when I go there," she says).

Since breaking out a decade ago with the unconventional pop smash "All About That Bass," which fused doo-wop with shades of hip-hop, Trainor's empowering lyrics, often about body positivity, and spunky music ("No," "Made You Look" and "Lips Are Movin'" among her hits) have turned her into a pop idol.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Currently on tour through October – with husband Daryl Sabara and sons Riley, 3, and Barry, 14 months in tow – Trainor took some time to chat before a show in Atlanta about her essentials on the road and in life.

More:Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in disguise at a karaoke bar in Las Vegas

How Megan Trainor learned self-acceptance

Two of Trainor's new songs, "I Wanna Thank Me," with new friend Niecy Nash, and "Been Like This," with T-Pain, key in on self-acceptance. Trainor says turning 30 last December and maturing in general led to her increased confidence.

"I heard when you get to your 30s you start caring less about what other people think, and I feel like that's true," she says. "I'm more focused on me and my real life than what is online or written about me. I know that after having my babies, I still struggle with self-love for my body. But I try to write songs that everyone can relate to, and I see that on this tour when I look out and see people who are 3, 18, 30 or grandparents."

Meghan Trainor says 'a hit is a hit'

Trainor's music has some inimitable traits. Her mix of old-fashioned harmonies framed by '60s-era girl groups coupled with current pop trends makes her a distinctive voice – quite literally – in a crowded crop of musical clichés.

Her influences are deep and eclectic, and she and her husband are already instilling their sons with an appreciation for classic sounds.

"At home at breakfast, Daryl will put on Sam Cooke and Ray Charles and I’ll see him and the boys dancing around. Songs like 'Be My Baby' from The Ronettes – Riley will notice it and want to know who sings it," Trainor says. "A hit song is a hit song no matter the time period."

Why Megan Trainor is thankful to Brandy and T-Pain

Trainor is an unabashed fan of Katy Perry, recently telling SiriusXM that the "Teenage Dream" star is her number one inspiration.

But when she was a high schooler in Massachusetts, it was the music of Brandy and T-Pain that resonated most.

"Brandy's 'Human' album and every T-Pain album, that's what got me through (high school)," Trainor says. "When I was like, 'I don't belong here, I should be writing songs in L.A. not sitting in a class about astronomy,' I'd go to the bathroom and record my songs."

T-Pain is on the current Trainor song "Been Like This," and the full-circle moment isn't lost on her.

"I've been loud and clear that T-Pain is my king – I think that's why he did a song with me. And now he's family forever," she says.

Trainor is also a fan of calypso music – her uncle is from Trinidad – and often has it playing backstage while she preps for a show.

"My hairstylist is like, 'What is this? I love it!' It could be raining or the worst day and it just makes you feel good," she says.

More:Cher to headline Victoria's Secret Fashion Show's all-women set

How Megan Trainor is touring with two young kids

The Timeless tour is Trainor's first in eight years, and she admits she's still getting used to the rigors of road life. But she's also better prepared and has learned to pace and care for herself, with sleep as a priority.

But this is also her first tour with her children. The changes took some adjusting, but Trainor and Sabara have devised a routine.

"We have an incredible nanny, and she and Daryl give (the kids) a bath in my green room and we put them in their PJs and cuddle (before I go on stage). Then Daryl and the nanny put them on the bus to sleep while I'm performing. We're making notes so if we do this again we know what else we need – like even more hands on deck."

The tour bus is stocked with RXBAR protein snacks for Trainor and Haribo gummy bears for the kids and daytime is usually playtime, with the family scoping out indoor playgrounds, parks and aquariums – they visited the massive Georgia Aquarium before her Atlanta area show earlier this month – to explore.

How does Meghan Trainor's hair look so good?

Trainor's golden tresses look especially luminous on tour, but she defers any compliments to her stylist, Antoine Martinez. She acquiesced and got beaded extensions for the tour, a Martinez recommendation to reduce pulling on her hair each show night.

"Trying to wash it takes forever, so I use dry shampoo," Trainor says, then adds with a laugh, "I live with pop star hair day and night."