Alesha: “Simon really didn’t like my friendship with Amanda”
BGT star Alesha Dixon on winding up her boss, moving on from past struggles and how she’d never say never to another baby
She’s the epitome of happiness S – loving every minute as a jbu rd it gaei no’ sn got Talent an–d the mum-of-one has been with her Mr Right, Azuka Ononye, for seven years.
But while Alesha Dixon – who has threeyear-old daughter Azura with Azuka – says she’s in the “best place I’ve ever been,” she admits that life hasn’t always been wonderful and she’s fought hard to get her happy ending.
Ewveennt at so cplro es se sr, it was revealed that the 38-year old’s brother John, 30, had been involved in a serious car crash.
Ableefsohrea –thsepeaking to Closer shocking news broke – says she hit her lowest point in 2006 when she split from then-husband MC Harvey amid reports of an affair with singer Javine Hylton. As a double whammy, R&B star Alesha was dropped by her record company shortly after.
She says: “In that dark moment I felt like my world had ended. For a short time I allowed myself to wallow in the pity and the sadness of the marriage breakdown and losing a record deal. Then I went: ‘Right, that’s enough moping around and feeling sorry for yourself, get back on it’.”
However, the star says she accepts that some of her darkest times have brought her to where she is now and admits she’s much happier in her thirties than she ever was in her twenties.
She explains: “I now understand that I had to go through all that. I love being in my thirties, I wouldn’t want to go back to my twenties if you paid me. Back then I was always so afraid of everything. Now I just feel more complete as a person.”
GIRL POWER
Alesha – who first found fame as part of girl band Mis-teeq in 2001 – reignited her career isntr2ic0t0ly7cwomheen she appeared in Danandcwinogn the Glitterball trophy, alongside pro-dancer Matthew Cutler. Then she faced controversy when she replaced Arlene Phillips as a judge on the show in 2009, with fans accusing the BBC of ageism. After a successful three years, Alesha left
the show to jboriinta in’s Got Talent
in 2012 alongside Simon Cowell, David Walliams and her close pal Amanda Holden.
Smhaekseasys: “Having Amanda on BGT the job better. Before the first audition, we got together for a chat. We decided to form a Girl Power allegiance together. She’s a real girl’s girl and I can call her at any time. We really do love each other. Simon didn’t like our close bond at the beginning. I think he was worried we’d gang up on him.”
For now, work is very much her focus and Alesha insists she’s in no rush for marriage or baby number two. She says: “I’m in a place where I don’t need someone to complete me, but we complement each other, which is really nice. Azuka is an amazing dad – even though she’s three and a half now, we still look at each other like: ‘Oh my God, we’re actually parents!’
“I wouldn’t rule out marriage. Maybe one day. We’ve been together for seven years so I’ve thoroughly checked him out! Some days I think I’d like a sibling for Azura and then some days I’m not sure. I’m really content with one, but if two happens then that would be lovely as well.”
A BIT OF A REBEL
In April, Alesha seemed keen for Mis-teeq – who split in 2005 – to reunite, insisting: “It would be disastrous not to do anything!”
But she admits she has her doubts
‘I love being in my thirties – I feel more complete’
about her former bandmates coming back together again, adding: “I wouldn’t reunite just because everyone else is doing it. I’m a bit of a rebel like that, because so many bands have reformed, and I don’t want it to ever feel like we’re just jumping on the bandwagon.”
BRIGHTER DAYS
Looking to the future, Alesha’s just relieved her life is calm and she’s finally content. She reveals: “My life has become much more relaxed, more peaceful, and that’s because I’m more relaxed and peaceful within myself. I sort of describe it as: ‘The rain has stopped.’ It’s like there was a storm in my twenties and now the rain clouds have passed and the sun is shining.” ● Alesha leads the Always #Likeagirl Squad, – a team of inspirational role models who are on a mission to encourage girls to embrace failure and keep going