Alesha - 'I'm A Feminist Women Have It Hard!'
NOW|August 28, 2017

The BGT judge opens up to us on motherhood, body image and standing up for women

Christine Smith
Alesha - 'I'm A Feminist Women Have It Hard!'

Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon has never been so happy. Living with her partner Azuka Ononye, 36, and their four-year-old daughter Azura, the 38-year-old says she now feels she has the strength to conquer her goals and dreams. But as she reveals today, she definitely hasn’t always been so confident. In an exclusive and endearingly honest interview with Now, she chats openly about how she’s learnt how to view failure as her ‘friend’. Admitting she’s suffered from low self-esteem in the past, Alesha opens up to us about facing up to her body demons, how she’ll make sure her daughter lives a confident life, and why she’s already looking forward to next year’s BGT…

Hi Alesha! Do you still see the Britain’s Got Talent gang now that the series has finished?

We do have a WhatsApp group and we chat on there a lot. I’m seeing Amanda [Holden] in a few weeks and I hung out with Simon [Cowell] recently as I stepped in to do The X Factor, which was fun. I’ve already been sent dates for the new BGT auditions, so I’m definitely back on the show next year. When you look in the diary, it comes around really quickly and it doesn’t feel like we’ve been away that long. But it’s nice to have a break too. We look forward to seeing each other, but it would be too intense if we were together all the time.

When you do the live shows, do you and Amanda ever call each other beforehand to check out what you might be wearing?

In the past we used to give each other a heads-up about a particular colour, but generally our styles are so different that we never clash. We’ve never had to worry about that – it’s cool.

Does Azura have play dates with Eric Cowell?

This story is from the August 28, 2017 edition of NOW.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 28, 2017 edition of NOW.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NOWView All
7 Golden Rules For A Drama-Free One-Night Stand
NOW

7 Golden Rules For A Drama-Free One-Night Stand

Just perfect if you want your office Christmas party to go with a bang!

time-read
2 mins  |
December 03, 2018
6 Ways To Tell If He Just Wants Sex
NOW

6 Ways To Tell If He Just Wants Sex

6 ways to tell if he just wants sex

time-read
3 mins  |
March 11, 2019
Fans Tell Jacqueline - ‘You Need To Divorce Dan'
NOW

Fans Tell Jacqueline - ‘You Need To Divorce Dan'

Rumours that Dan Osborne was unfaithful sees fans beg his wife to leave him

time-read
2 mins  |
March 25, 2019
Sam Bailey:'Cheryl And Liam Are The Perfect Couple'
NOW

Sam Bailey:'Cheryl And Liam Are The Perfect Couple'

X Factor winner Sam Bailey opens up about being dropped by Simon Cowell and takes a swipe at Liam Payne for ‘biting the hand that feeds him'.

time-read
6 mins  |
August 22 2016
6 Ways To Beat PMS
NOW

6 Ways To Beat PMS

Tears. Food cravings. Mood swings. Cramps. You can conquer that time of the month with these expert tips.

time-read
1 min  |
October 01, 2018
6 Ways To Tell If He Likes You
NOW

6 Ways To Tell If He Likes You

Gone are the days of him pulling your ponytail in the playground. Thankfully, we’re here to help…

time-read
2 mins  |
August 13, 2018
'I'll Have A Gastric Band To My Dream Family'
NOW

'I'll Have A Gastric Band To My Dream Family'

Gemma’s happily-ever-after dream could see her take drastic measures

time-read
2 mins  |
August 28, 2017
'I'll Be Here When You Realise The Grass Isn't Greener!
NOW

'I'll Be Here When You Realise The Grass Isn't Greener!

Jamie puts his feelings to one side as friends worry Louise is lost in showbiz...

time-read
3 mins  |
August 21, 2017
The Sad Decline Of Sarah Harding
NOW

The Sad Decline Of Sarah Harding

From glamorous pop star with the world at her feet to recovering addict

time-read
2 mins  |
August 21, 2017
Why Meghan Markle Is The Most Surprising Royal-To-Be
NOW

Why Meghan Markle Is The Most Surprising Royal-To-Be

She's set to wed Prince Harry, but who is woman shaking up the Royal Family?

time-read
1 min  |
August 21, 2017