Troll lot of trouble for Liberty X star
Former Liberty X star Michelle Heaton tells JENNY MORRISON about the online abuse she has suffered and how she hopes to do her two children proud with her new panto role
WHENEVER Michelle Heaton flicks through her social media accounts, she always prepares herself for the hurtful comments that may have been left by trolls.
The former Liberty X singer has been attacked for her body shape, accused of using a double mastectomy operation she had for publicity and even been told to “die of cancer”.
Michelle said the recent BBC3 documentary by Little Mix star Jesy Nelson on the online abuse she suffered and the effect it had on her, has helped shine a light on the pain that can be caused by cyberbullying.
And she only wishes she had made a similar show herself.
Michelle, 40, said: “Watching the documentary brought back a lot of memories. I know exactly how Jesy felt.
“I had that journey. And after 20 years, still do.
“I was the ‘fat one’ in our band. Years ago, I got asked by our management to loose weight. “A manager within the company said, ‘Michelle, you are putting on the pounds a bit.’
“At the time, Just a Little was a big hit and, instead of wearing the leather catsuit the girls wore, I had to get a special dress made for me. But that just affects your confidence even more.
“In those days it was before social media, but I’m on social media now. I’ve suffered a lot and doubted myself a lot, and still to this day I get told I’m not worthy.
“It doesn’t matter how many people give you positive comments, unfortunately we always concentrate on the negative.
“I’ve been told to die of cancer, to fall down stairs, that I’m not worthy of my kids, and to stop using my BRCA as ‘publicity’.
“But, like Jesy, I’m in a privileged
position where you can shout out to those who may be suffering too, and get the message out that we are all worthy.” Michelle shot to fame in 2001 on the music talent show Popstars. The five winning members of the show formed the band Hear’Say, while the five runners-up started Liberty X. She went on to make a successful career as a singer, actress and TV personality and has also used her profile to highlight issues close to her heart. In 2012, she underwent a double mastectomy operation after being diagnosed with a faulty BRCA2 gene, which meant she had a greatly increased risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. Three years later, she had a hysterectomy operation and had her ovaries removed in a further step to reduce her risk of the disease. The surgery caused Michelle to go through a sudden and early menopause, aged just 36.
She has since written a book, Hot Flush: Motherhood, the Menopause and Me.
And it will be motherhood that’s on her mind when she takes a starring role in the first panto to be held in Dumfries’ revamped DG1 leisure complex later this year.
Michelle, who is mum to daughter Faith, seven, and son, AJ, five, will play the role of Spirit of the Ring in a production of Aladdin.
She is delighted not to be playing the part of panto villain.
Michelle explained: “I’m usually the evil queen in panto and it will be nice for my children to see me playing a role that doesn’t make them cry.
“A few years ago, they saw me on stage as the villain and it’s a hard one trying to tell your kids that you are not really being bad – and yes, they did cry.
“This time around, my role is fairy-ish, with a bit of comedy in there.
“I’ve always wanted to be silly on stage and even get the chance to hit people over the head with a frying pan – and that will be my role, so I’m really excited.
“I’ll be staying in Dumfries for the duration of the panto, so the kids and my husband Hugh, my mum and my brother will all be coming to Dumfries too for Christmas.
“They will come up on Christmas Eve and stay until Boxing Day and we are all hoping for snow.”
Michelle will star in the panto alongside actors Kenny Boyle, Alan McLaren, Ronny Menzies-Stirling, Kieran Francis-Begley, Adam Buksh and Robyn McEnaney. She said: “I’ve worked with some of the cast before, which is great as we all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and that helps us make the best show possible. “Robyn, who plays the role of Princess Jasmine, was an actual Disney princess at Disneyland Paris – she’s played Belle, Snow White and Cinderella, so my daughter and son love her. “There are often only two female roles in most pantos and it makes it even more special that we know each other. “I can’t wait for panto season to begin.” Tickets for Aladdin are available from www.dgboxoffice.co.uk or call 01387 253383.
I’m usually the evil queen in panto. It will be nice for my children to see me playing a role that doesn’t make them cry