BGT STAR SAYS
SHE’S become one of the nation’s favourite TV personalities as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing and Britain’s Got Talent – but Alesha Dixon has never hidden the self-doubt and lack of confidence that troubled her in the past.
However, things have changed a lot on that front in recent years.
“I feel I’m on the brink of a new era, a new decade and a new adventure,” said Alesha, 41.
“A lot of people fear getting older but for me, one of the best things is that you learn how to be comfortable in your own skin, be wiser because of your experiences and feel more mature and grounded.”
Alesha already has lots to celebrate. In January, she made her debut as a judge on America’s Got Talent: The Champions – a role she describes “as a dream come true” – and her fifth children’s book, Star Switch, has just been published.
“Instead of being scared of what might happen next and the unknown, now I can embrace it,” she said, at her home in Hertfordshire.
“When you’re young, you’re constantly questioning yourself and wondering whether you’re good enough. But when you see yourself having success and feeling you’re doing something well and are able to repeat that, you can say to yourself, ‘Actually, I’m good at this’.”
Alesha, who first found fame in the early-Noughties in girl group Mis-Teeq, reportedly struggled in her 20s with fear of failure and self-doubt.
She suffered a double blow in 2006 when her record company dropped her and her marriage to So Solid Crew member MC Harvey ended. ersonal contentment with her partner of eight years Azuka Ononye, and their two daughters – Azura, six, and 10-month-old Anaya – along with her career success have clearly been key in her transformation into the strong and confident woman she is today.
“As a couple, you become even closer when you have children, and Azuka and I feel so blessed to have such lovely girls,” Alesha said.
“I’m really enjoying motherhood but it’s definitely been a challenge having two little humans completely dependent on you. After all, I’ve only got one pair of hands.
“After juggling the family and work, I have days when I’m absolutely exhausted and just can’t wait for bedtime. But I’m truly at my happiest when I’m with them, or on stage.” She said she’s undecided about whether she’ll have more children. “Two weeks after I had Anaya, Azura said to me, ‘Mummy, I think it’s time for a brother now.’ But I’m happy with two for the moment, although I’m