Alesha Dixon may have been a winner of the UK’s Strictly Dancing competition, but there is a lot more to this gorgeous 30-year-old singer and dancer than you really know. Alesha struggles with OCD, life in the public eye and has dealt with a lot as a child. Girlfriend dishes on some of the challenges she has faced and how she manages to keep a positive outlook on life and her career.

ON HER NEED TO BE ON A STRICT SCHEDULE:

I have a problem with having days off, so, even as a child, I would schedule out a whole day’s plan in my diary. I would literally say, “Right, at 10.05am have a shower. At 10.20am, go to shops.” I liked to know exactly what I was doing. My diary’s just the same now. I like my life really structured. I like to know I have a schedule mapped out.

ON HER OCD:

Yes, I have OCD (obsessivecompulsive disorder). My friends call me Monica, because she’s the one in Friends who’s obsessed with cleaning. I always think the house looks messy; a messy house can depress me. It can make me feel messy. If my house is clean and everything is in order, I feel better.

ON HER FAILED MARRIAGE:

Naturally I was devastated when we split up, but the actual time it happened is a bit cloudy. When I think back to that period, I can’t really remember the first few weeks. To tell you the truth, it’s a bit of a blur. But you can’t be with somebody for six years and get over them just like that. It takes a while to flush them out of your system.

And, that’s why I’ve been single for two and a half years, because I think it’s really important to deal with a past relationship before you go into another one. I feel I’ve allowed myself to heal. I’ve stitched myself back up, you might say, and I’m in a good place.

ON HER EXCITEMENT FOR THE BAFTAS:

I’ve got this beautiful designer black gown. It’s really romantic; absolutely lovely, and makes me feel like a lady. Being at the Baftas, but on the other side of the camera, is a different role for me, and I’m really looking forward to getting into the spirit of it. I’m just going to have fun.

ON HER RUMORED RELATIONSHIP WITH COLDPLAY’S CHRIS MARTIN:

Chris is a friend, and so is Gwyneth. Okay, yeah, it’s true, so there’s no point denying it. But Luton, where he dropped me, is like ten minutes around the corner from my house. When I got home, I had this conversation with my manager. I said, “Please don’t tell my press officer that I got a lift home with Chris on his private plane.” You see, I think it’s tacky to exploit that generosity.

ON HER CHILDHOOD:

There were things I have seen that were difficult. But if somebody said to me, “How was your childhood?” I’d say, “It was really good”. Eighty per cent of the time I was a happy child. But I do remember wanting to have a stable, secure family life when I was older because I felt I didn’t have that. My parents never married, but I wanted a husband.

HOW SHE GOT THROUGH GETTING DUMPED BY HER LABEL AND HER HUSBAND:

When a woman is dating a man, it’s natural for her to start thinking, “Oh, are we going to stay together? Am I going to have his children?” And you’re already planning your future with him in your head.

Now, career-wise and personally, I just try to focus on today, the week ahead, and let the future take care of itself. I can do that now, but it’s taken a little bit of reprogramming. It’s taken the pressure off – made me feel freer.

I’m a huge fan of Lauryn Hill because her album teaches you how to shed everything you’ve been programmed to think and start again. I’ve realized that you’ve got to be happy with who you are before you can be happy with somebody else. I visualized this moment happening. I created it, so it’s making me believe again.

You go, girl!

Image Source: Splash