You be the judge
Talent queens Amanda a and Alesha reveal all
When Britain’ s Got Talent judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon are in the same room, bedlam and naughty-sounding cackles ensue. But it’s when the glamour girls emerge from behind the haze of hairspray to go in front of our camera that the fun really begins.
Getting them to stop gossiping is as tough as breaking up their on-set shenanigans, with Amanda playfully peeking down Alesha’s top. There’s no doubt these two are as tight in real life as they are on the judging panel of BGT, which crowns its 11th winner on TVNZ 1 this month.
Amanda, 46, has been a judge since the show launched in 2007 and when former Mis-Teeq singer Alesha, 38, joined in 2012, the Wild
at Heart actress was determined the pair would be firm friends. “I couldn’t bear that everyone was going to try to pit us against each other as I’m a mother of two girls and love women,” says Amanda.
They certainly hold their own against fellow judges Simon Cowell, 57, and David Walliams, 45, but behind the scenes, they’ve both experienced devastating heartache.
Alesha – who has a three-yearold daughter named Azura with dancer Azuka Ononye – grew up amid domestic violence and her marriage to rapper MC Harvey ended in 2006 when it was revealed he’d been unfaithful.
Meanwhile, Amanda – who is mum to girls Lexi, 11, and Hollie, five, with hubby Chris Hughes – suffered a miscarriage in 2010, before the tragic stillbirth of her son Theo. But both women say the misfortunes in their lives have only made them stronger.
AMANDA You recently said Simon has strict rules about how he likes his female employees to look. What did you mean?
Simon expects us to look groomed and nice. However, I do it for my own dignity. I’ve never been caught without my lashes on. My 96-year-old grandmother Ethel said to me, “Never let your husband see you without lipstick.” Obviously, that’s gone out the window, but I do have that mentality. If I turned up in a tracksuit, Simon would have something to say about it.
Do you feel pressure to always look good?
No, I’ve always been fit because I did gymnastics all my life. I keep it up so I can be healthy for my kids. To look good isn’t a pressure – it’s a way of life. I’m not perfect. I’m a swan, gliding across the water and frantically paddling underneath. I might look effortless, but underneath I’m s***ing myself.
What does your husband think of your racy on-screen outfits?
He’s more obsessed with my hair. He loves it when I have my proper full hair and hates when I wear it up, so that’s all he’ll ever say.
Have you and Alesha bonded over your past misfortunes?
We’re exactly the same in that we’re not defined by tragedy. We’re not victims. We’re people who come back fighting. It’s nice to have sympathy, but we don’t want pity. We come out of it more feisty and stronger. It shapes who we are. Hopefully, that’s relatable for other women. However much they see perfectly coiffed hair and skimpy outfits, they know full well all the s*** we’ve been through. We’re real, we’re not perfect and we’ve made mistakes.
ALESHA What’s your relationship with Amanda like?
Before the first show, we went for a coffee and agreed we wanted to set an example to women that they can work together, respect one another and not be in fear of each other. We’re not competing – although some of our outfits might!
What about your boss Simon?
Simon’s not my boss – the only person who can get away with bossing me around is Azura. Amanda and I put Simon in his place. I have a great relationship with him and find him hilarious. He often takes the mickey out of my clothes because I try to be edgy.
What’s your attitude towards ageing?
I’ve never felt better. The first year after having a baby, it took a long time to feel myself again. But now I’m in my 30s, with the love of my life and have a beautiful daughter. I’m at a point where all the stresses have gone and I’ve learnt to relax. My life only seems to get better!
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from the bad times?
Worrying is a stagnant energy that doesn’t get you anywhere. You only hurt yourself when you hold on to anger or bitterness. Unfortunately, you have to go through things to come out the other end.
Will you be expanding your family?
I’m at that age where I need to start thinking about it, but at the moment, I’m enjoying Azura starting nursery and getting a bit of “me time” again.
Is marriage on the cards?
If Azuka asked me to marry him, I wouldn’t rule it out, but I’m not chasing it either. I’m happy now, but I still believe in what marriage represents.