7 minute read
DIXON DOES IT
LOVES Diana Ross. “Growing up she was one of the true female icons I would look up to,” she says. “Her music carried such a grace and emotive quality, but she could mix it up with some uptempo stu. She is the complete artist.” Aquazurra. The stylish heels have been seen on Meghan Markle, but Alesha has recently taken to wearing them on Britain’s Got Talent. Dogs. Dogs have always played a big role in Alesha’s life. At present she has four – golden cocker spaniels Rose, Prince and Paris, and Daisy, a pointer who was rescued from a previous owner by the RSPCA. Alesha’s
HATES Fear of failure. A troubled home-life when growing up led Alesha to miss one of her scheduled GCSE exams. She says she went to her school the following day in floods of tears convinced she had messed up her chance to aspire to something in life. “Fear of failure has defined me since as far back as I can remember – it’s what has brought me back from the brink on many occasions.” Mirrors. “Or rather, I used to hate mirrors. Even when I was in Mis-Teeq, I had a real problem looking at myself. I knew that was something I would need to get over, and I knew as well it was nothing to do with physicality, more what was going on mentally. As my selfesteem has improved, so too has my appreciation of who I am.”
After a stellar music career, Alesha has reached the top tier of light entertainment as a Britain’s Got Talent judge
DIXON DOES IT! • TALKING WITH ALESHA DIXON •
Songwriter, dancer, model, author: while Alesha Dixon’s work ethic has never FeeR MR HouFX Xhe No] she fi RHs MR famMP] has XaOeR heV Xo Re[ heMKhXs
erhaps it’s because she’s seen the booming highs and the crashing lows of the music industry as one quarter of British R&B/garage pop princesses Mis-Teeq; perhaps it’s the refl ections of a troubled upbringing that saw her witness domestic abuse and the break-up of her parents’ relationship; or perhaps it’s a result of watching the swaying fortunes of those who perform in front of the judges at Britain’s Got Talent. Whatever it is, Alesha Dixon’s outlook on life is very much ‘what will be, will be’ – a philosophy that holds her career and marriage close, and her children closest.
You sense that in Azura Sienna and Anaya Safi ya, Alesha has found security, salvation and no small amount of purpose, in a life and career that has o ered so much in terms of money, status, success and adulation, yet never given her what she has truly wanted – the love and fulfi lment we associate with being a parent.
“I think there’ll always be the perception that if you’re successful and in the limelight, that that’s all anyone wants, but I knew very quickly that wasn’t going to be enough and, perhaps because of a di cult childhood, I yearned to be a good mother,” she begins.
She most certainly is that now. Born to father Azuka Ononye – the pair reportedly married in 2017 but Alesha has never o cially declared that to be true – daughters Azura, six, and Anaya, born August 2019, are both in the image of their hard-working parents… Azuke is a dancer and choreographer. In fact, her eldest even took on the mini-me tag after a series of adorable Instagram snaps of the little girl and her mother.
“She had me from the very fi rst moment I saw her, and with every day she just keeps evolving into this incredible person,” says Alesha. “I can see a lot of me in her.
“I think a lot of what I experienced in the record industry refl ects quite nicely with becoming a parent. There are so many amazing days and incredible experiences, but at other times, everything seems so challenging and so di cult. Ultimately, you always know the battles are worth it and there’s always a solution up ahead.”
One of the battles Alesha encountered was the literally, weight of expectation she experienced when getting back into shape. “The spotlight is on you and the press love to make a story out of body size. It can be a real problem for people to think they have to shed the pounds, but I’ve worked hard mentally to ensure that’s not the Ultimately, you always know the battles are worth One of the battles Alesha encountered was the P
sort of thing that’s going to infl uence me,” she says. “I was always so much the other way – if it was natural and if mother nature intended it to be this way, then that’s just what it’ll be.
“If there’s one thing that I could say to new mothers or expectant mums, it’s to do absolutely everything that’s right for you. Don’t be swayed by what others say, don’t bow down to pressure or stereotypes – just be yourself!”
Alesha, who has been a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent for eight years, fi rst leapt into the spotlight in 1999 when girl band Mis-Teeq were signed to Telstar Records. The London-based foursome enjoyed signifi cant commercial success before splitting in 2005, and while her subsequent solo career stalled at fi rst, excelling as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing dancefl oor saw her promoted back to the top level of light entertainment. Tracks The Boy Does Nothing and Breathe Slow both went top fi ve, and she was still hitting the charts regularly in 2009 when the o er to join the judging panel on Strictly Come Dancing was made. Three years later, when Simon Cowell’s BGT o ce called, she switched allegiances to ITV, reportedly tripling her salary in the process.
As for what the future holds, Alesha is certainly keen to extend her family. She grew up in a busy household in Welwyn Garden City, surrounded by six half-siblings. “There was always something going on, there was always activity, and really that’s the sort of energy I envisaged I would have with my own family.”
While she feared age had run away with her in the lead-up to second daughter Anaya being born, the singer and presenter accepts now that there may still be time to add to her brood. “I think once you have a second child you worry a lot less, as I think there’s proof there that you still have it, in a way.”
As for her aspirations for her children – typically, Alesha returns to that stabilising mantra of ‘what will be, will be’. “Clearly we’re both parents who have performing careers and it would follow then that the children we have would fall into that area, but to be truthful, we have no expectations whatsoever.
“All any parent wants is for their children is for them to be healthy and happy – if you have those two things, then I think you have everything in life.” As for her aspirations for her children – typically, Alesha returns is for them to be healthy and happy – if you have those two things, then I think you have everything in life.”
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