8 minute read
Rise of Hope 08 Ear candy
Ri sing Hope Vick Hope paints us a picture of life in the spotlight ahead of her new show, Britain ’s Best Young Artist
She is a presenter, journalist, children’s book author and ambassador – is there anything Vick Hope hasn’t done yet? ‘Write a piece of adult fiction’, she tells Spell, as we talk to her ahead of the premiere of CBBC’s Britain’s Best Young Artist, a show that sees Vick following the journeys of 27 budding artists alongside Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson. However, unlike her literary aspiration, the 32-year-old’s struggle with burnout and self love, alongside a fierce fight to give a voice to the voiceless in her campaigns for Amnesty International, have been far from fiction. Here, she elaborates on her career goals and personal wins – and tells us about the one Nigerian dish she can’t live without.
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YOU’VE GOT MANY STRINGS TO YOUR CAREER BOW. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU HAVEN’T TRIED YET THAT YOU’RE DYING TO DO?
I’ve written plenty of articles in my time and two children’s books, but one day I’d like to write a piece of adult fiction. I’ve had conversations with publishers and I’ve said I want a bit more time, rather than working to a deadline to produce something that isn’t the best it could be. I have a lot of stories to tell and I’m inspired by the world around me. I love writing and I find it extremely cathartic. I’m very frightened of writing a full novel, but the things you’re frightened of are the things you should try doing. I’m constantly writing notes, and one day this will all come together.
YOUR RED CARPET LOOKS ARE ALWAYS JAW-DROPPING. WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF FASHION ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Be confident, because that’s when you look your best. It’s not about wearing expensive clothes, it’s about having a good time in what you’re wearing. I used to care about what other people thought at red carpet events, and so I played it very safe to avoid being put on the worst dressed lists. Now, I just don’t care. For a start, I don’t read tabloids, so I wouldn’t know what is being said about me anyway. But I’ve also realised that fashion is fun - it’s a way of expressing yourself.
YOUR CURLY LOCKS ARE AN ICONIC PART OF YOUR LOOK – TELL US ABOUT YOUR NATURAL HAIR JOURNEY!
When I was growing up in the 90s, I
didn’t see anyone else with hair like mine, not even at my school. Everyone had straight hair, and I was really jealous. I remember I would beg my mum to straighten my hair, but she told me I was too young. It wasn’t until I was around 27 (which wasn’t that long ago!) that I met hairdresser Michelle Sultan at a photoshoot and she encouraged me to give my natural curls a go. Michelle taught me how to care for and celebrate my hair. She showed me how to create an LA weave of tracks to give my curls more body and give it time to grow. I love how my curls look now; I’m very proud of them. It’s been a journey, and it means a lot when I see other girls wearing their afro hair with pride. I hope that little girls and boys growing up watching TV or magazines are seeing natural hair more; and as a result they feel validated and beautiful themselves, thanks to this increasing space that is being carved out in mainstream media.
WHAT HAIR AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
I’m now in a place where, day to day, I don’t wear any make-up unless I have to do so for work, such as on TV or on the red carpet. I like to give my skin a break, so for me, it’s all about skincare. I’m a huge fan of REN, Murad and SkinCeuticals. I love the ritual of a skincare routine; it feels like self care. In terms of hair, I’ve gone through a few phases. In terms of hair, I’ve gone through a few phases but now I like using products with natural ingredients.
WOULD WE EVER SEE A DRASTIC HAIRSTYLE CHANGE FROM YOU?
I’ve been wearing a lot of protective styles, like boho locs and twists, which I haven’t worn since I was a kid when I would have my hair plaited every Sunday night before school. These looks give you a different sort of swagger in your day-to-day; when I wore locs, I felt like I could inhabit a
different character. I’m interested in trying more plaited looks, for example box braids.
WITH THE RISE OF STREAMING SERVICES AND PODCASTS, SOME PEOPLE WORRIED THAT RADIO WAS A DYING MEDIUM. WHAT DO YOU THINK KEEPS IT ALIVE?
You can put on a playlist of your favourite tunes, but nothing beats the companionship and community of radio, and it has never gone away even after all these years. I’ve only been at BBC Radio 1 during a pandemic, and in that time I realised just how much I love radio and just how important it is. We feel like we’ve been there with our listeners through everything and we’ve got to know our audience. Life Hacks has been a forum that has dealt with all issues facing young people today, from their mental health to their career prospects and education, to the environment through to grief and suicide. So many things that young people are going through have come into sharp focus over the last couple of years, and I’m so proud that we’ve been there for them.
BRITAIN’S BEST YOUNG ARTIST WILL HIT OUR SCREENS THIS YEAR - WHY SHOULD WE TUNE IN?
I think it will inspire them to reach for their sketch pads and pencils. In spite of these last few years where we’ve experienced limited stimulus, there is a world that you can escape to when you’re just having a bit of fun on the page. If it inspires just one person to do that, especially if it’s a child, then that’s a good thing. Art is everywhere, and you can create art out of anything. One of my favourite episodes is the collage episode, where we go litter picking on the beach in Wales, and use the litter to create art. Anyone can do this. That kind of art is so accessible.
VALENTINE’S DAY IS LOOMING BUT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON SELF-LOVE. WHAT’S THE ONE PRESENT YOU’D GIVE YOURSELF ON THIS DAY?
I’m going to be kinder to myself for Valentine’s Day and beyond. I always think, ‘am I talking to myself in the same way that I would talk to a good friend?’ The answer is always no. I’m hard on myself, I criticise myself and sometimes I think I’m not good enough. I admit, that hashtag #BeKind does my head in sometimes because it gets used hypocritically, but let’s try to really be kind.
WHAT’S THE MOST EMPOWERING THING YOU’VE EVER DONE FOR YOURSELF?
I’ve become quite good at being on my own, and so I really enjoy solo travel. I experienced burnout at the beginning of 2018, where I had overworked and put too much pressure on myself. I hadn’t slept enough, I had gone through a break-up. I realised that I hadn’t spent any time with myself, learning to love my own company and be present. I reconnected with travelling, and found how important it is to just bask in silence and to know that, in your space, you are enough. Jobs and relationships will come and go, but at the end of everything, you have to come back to yourself. There’s something very peaceful and powerful in knowing you’re okay on your own.
WHAT DISH REMINDS YOU OF HOME?
Whenever I get home, my mum says, ‘I know you’re going to want okra soup, egusi soup, ogbono soup, or rice and stew’. But, the truth is, if I had to choose, it would be okra soup. She taught me and my family to make it during lockdown over a Zoom masterclass. I’m lucky as I live right near a great food market, so I bought all of the ingredients and we made the dish together. I’m actually salivating thinking about it now!
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SNEAK PEEK AT VICK’S VALUABLES
From curl matching clip-ins to luxe skincare, here are some of Vick’s essentials for on and off camera.
MIELLE Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Scalp Treatment, £9.99
BIG BEAUTIFUL HAIR
Clip-in in Kinky Curly 10”, £22.99
SKINCEUTICALS
Equalizing Toner, £30
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Hair: X-Pression Ultra Braid in colour 1B Fashion: House of Harlot Latex Crop Top and Latex Gloves Accessories: Simon Harrison Necklace (worn as bracket & bangle); Pritch London Belt; Tran Hung Dress
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Hair: Big Beautiful Hair Clip-in Kinky Curly 10” in colour 1B Fashion: Taller Marmo Green Dress Accessories: Simon Harrison Green and Gold Bangles; Missoma Chain Link Necklaces; Tilly SVEAAS Gold rings and Chain Link Braclet
A CAST OF Grey
The empowering act of going grey is now being translated to wigs. Make the leap of faith and tap into your silver siren alter ego with The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig.
Photo by Glenn Larkby
The Feme Collection Afro Lace Wig in Soft Natural Curl, colour T/Grey. Price £29.99
Made from the finest 100% human hair fibres for a realistic touch
