The one lesson I’ve learned from life

Claire Richards

CLAIRE RICHARDS, 41, is a singersongwriter who rose to fame with the pop band Steps and now has a solo career. Claire lives in London with her husband and their two children. EVER since I was a child, I’ve worried about whether people like me. I’ve spent years of my life angsting over what others are saying about me or whether I’ve made a good impression.

There have definitely been times when it’s held me back. It made me incredibly nervous about meeting new people; I’d worry about what I was wearing or how my make-up looked, even how I spoke. Often, after a conversation, I’d walk away convinced the other person thought I was an idiot. I was like a puppy: I just wanted everybody to like me.

Being on stage in a sold-out arena with Steps — hearing all those people cheering for me, knowing every single person there had paid for a ticket to see me — felt like the ultimate vote of approval, but launching my solo career and having to do shows by myself for the first time has been scary.

When my solo album was first announced I was terrified. I’ve had moments where I’ve asked myself: ‘What was I thinking?! Why the hell did I think this was a good idea?’

But what I’ve learned to do is to take all those fears and put them firmly into perspective. I remind myself that if people don’t like me, it’s not the end of the world. I’m not going to die. I’ve learned to accept that, in all likelihood, not everyone is going to like my voice, or my music. And that’s OK.

During my recent solo shows, I’ve really had to fight the negative thoughts, because once I get in a spiral, it’s hard to get out of it. But I’ve found if I just stop worrying and try to enjoy it, the audience enjoy it as well.

I’ve been in this industry since I was 18 and I know what I’m doing. I never thought I’d be launching my solo career at 41, but there’s now a hunger for different music from a different artist.

I’ve had only positive reactions to my album so far, but there’s always a tiny bit of me that feels dread, convinced it will all be a disaster. I’m looking forward to proving that part of me wrong. CLAIRE RICHARDS’ debut album, My Wildest Dreams, is out now.

NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE YOU — THAT’S OK