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U INTERVIEW ne thing’s for sure: us ladies could learn a thing or three from Alesha Dixon. BGT judge, Strictly... champion and one third of legendary noughties girl group Mis-teeq (respect), Alesha, 38, is now fronting up the Always #LikeAGirl campaign, which encourages teens to not Ofear failure, but to use it as fuel to build their confidence and help them achieve their goals. Come on, is there anyone better to front up your ALESHA perfect #GirlSquad? Hey Alesha, how’s your year going so far? I’ve been very busy! No day is the same, which is great. I’m working on lots of different projects, which always makes life a little more interesting. What attracted you to the #LikeAGirl campaign? I think the theme of female empowerment is really important at the moment, and it’s something that speaks to me. We can all remember what it’s like being a teenager, right? That fear of failing an exam, deciding what you want to do with your life, growing into a woman, finding out who you are - all those pressures No doubt, Mis-teeq was 100 feel like a massive weight on your shoulders. What this campaign per cent empowerment back is trying to achieve is to teach young girls that you can get what in the day. Are there any female artists you want from life by experiencing setbacks and struggles. The out there right now that you think have message that failure can actually be used as fuel, and as a tool to the same vibe? succeed is brilliant. I wish when I was growing up, I had positive There are a lot of artists now that have messages like that. a much bigger platform than we did back then, especially with social media. Artists have When in your life do you feel like you’ve been a much bigger voice, and they can use it in a empowered by failure? "I think positive way. I love what Little Mix stand for, and I think what I’ve learned now is that looking I’ll tell you why. They’re a squad, and they are back at all the challenges, or moments that I’ve the theme genuinely great friends. Their bond makes them found really scary or upsetting at the time, I great role models for young girls. They’re strong, now know that they’ve been the making of of female feisty women, that aren’t frightened to speak out. me. I finally understand it. I’ve connected the dots. The universe usually has a very clever empowerment I didn’t know what fierce was until I saw you way of sending you signals to clear out life’s dancing in NERD’s She Wants to Move video. It’s weeds. I made the connection in my twenties, is really a sexy song, at no point did I feel that you were and now I approach problems with a different important at objectified. How did that come about? perspective. If something doesn’t go my way, It’s interesting that you say the word ‘objectified’, the first thing I ask myself is, what am I the moment" because when I got the call to do the video, as supposed to be learning from this? excited and flattered as I was, the first thing I asked my publicist was, ‘Find out if there’s any kissing, You’re heading up a role-model girl squad as part of this underwear or writhing on a bed required, because if any of those campaign - apart from Mis-teeq, did you have a girl squad when three apply, I’m not doing it!’ And when they told me that I would be you were younger? just wearing a dress and dancing, I was like, ‘Hell yeah!’ I definitely Yes! The EZ Posse! That was our form name. There were six of us, didn’t want to do anything too sexual. So it worked out really well. and we have been friends since primary school, and we’re STILL I was SO scared though. To fly over to America at the drop of a hat, friends to this day. They are still my squad. literally the day after I got the call, only to be put in a room with Pharrell Williams, and these directors making a ridiculously expensive Who would make up your dream #GirlSquad? Oprah Winfrey, my ultimate inspiration. Marianne Williamson, my music video, I can quite honestly say I was petrified. Actually, this favourite author, and an incredible spiritual guru. And Michelle is another good example of how I’ve overcome fear to my advantage. Obama, who just rocks. Which relates back to the campaign. If something makes you feel a bit nervous or challenged, you should definitely do it! Why is so important that girls and women support each other? I’ve always been a big believer in the fact that girls should stick What’s next? together. Like I said earlier, I’ve been friends with my girl squad I’m in the middle of writing a children’s book about a female since I was tiny, and it’s an unbreakable bond. Girls build each other superhero - because let’s face it, there’s a lack of them out there. up in such a nurturing, compassionate way, and I think we need Her name is Aurora Beam, who basically heals people with light Singer, presenter and all-round badass babe Alesha Dixon talks Mis-teeq, those positive women around us. We live in a very competitive world, and energy. So even though she’s a regular girl at school, there’s filled with ego-driven people that like to pitch themselves against an underlying message there. And then I’m back in the studio #SquadGoals and *fist pump* female empowerment… each other. But, think about how much more you can achieve if you working on new music throughout the autumn. are aligned. I think it almost says more about you as a person if you can celebrate another woman’s success rather than feel jealous. That Maybe a Mis-teeq reunion? *crosses fingers* shows a great quality in you as a person. Ha, maybe! I’ll never say never! 14 | U MAGAZINE | OCTOBER OCTOBER | U MAGAZINE | 15.

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