The Voice Kids judge Pixie Lott defends the new ITV show saying rejection for child stars is ‘healthy’
PIXIE Lott has just spilled her lunch in a very unfortunate place.
Our post-shoot interview is taking place at posh members’ club Shoreditch House in London, and within seconds of sitting down, the singer has already hit her head against a lamp.
Shortly afterwards, tomato sauce from her parmigiana dish splatters the front of her white top.
“It looks like a nipple!” Pixie, 26, squeals.
“I’m so clumsy.”
She dips a napkin into a glass of water, flashing a sparkler on her ring finger – she recently got engaged to model Oliver Cheshire, 29 – and frantically wipes the incriminating spot on her right boob, before admitting defeat with a shrug and a smile.
“Oh well,” she laughs.
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“I’m only off to performance rehearsals after this, and my team know what I’m like.”
Her relaxed attitude comes as no surprise.
Since her debut single Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh) went to No.1 in 2009, she’s remained one of pop’s nicest and most easy-going stars.
After lunch, she even insists she will get the bill – an uncommon occurrence in the world of celebrity.
Eight years after bursting on to the pop scene, Pixie is the perfect choice of coach for ITV’s brand-new The Voice Kids, alongside rapper will.i.am, 42, and McFly guitarist Danny Jones, 31, which launched last night.
“I find it weird that people do change [after they become famous],” she says.
“Maybe it’s because I’ve been singing forever and I haven’t been chucked into it overnight.
“My family have always expected me to do this, and I’ve had the same friends around me. I’m lucky because if I do have strains and stresses then I have my friends and family.
“I know that when some people go a bit crazy or find themselves lost it’s because they don’t have a group of people around them to rely on.”
Hitting the big time at 18 – and becoming one of the youngest singers to have a UK No.1 since Billie Piper in 1998 – can’t have been easy.
But for every off-the-rails young pop star, à la Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, there’s someone like Pixie who has navigated her teenage years in the spotlight and emerged into adulthood unscathed.
“I found it relatively easy, considering,” she says.
“I was finally releasing music, making videos and playing festivals. That was all I’d ever dreamed about, so I had the best time ever.”
Despite her success, Pixie hasn’t clocked up any rock ‘n’ roll misdemeanours.
She’s never taken drugs, hasn’t been involved in a pop feud and is still punctual (she arrived for our interview 15 minutes early).
There was also a distinct lack of snaps of Pixie stumbling out of clubs drunk when she first made it big. But she wasn’t completely innocent.
I know that when some people [in the music industry] go a bit crazy or find themselves lost it’s because they don’t have a group of people around them to rely on.
Pixie Lott
“I still went out loads,” she smiles.
“My friends and I loved going to clubs and parties and having the best time ever. I wasn’t any different. I think that because I came from a normal family, I wanted to portray what being a normal 18 year old was like.”
She loved singing from a young age, and at five years old began Saturday stage school lessons at an Italia Conti Associate School in Chislehurst, Kent.
“I always knew that I wanted to perform and I’ve been doing it nearly my whole life. Stage school taught me that you always have to be professional.”
It means that Pixie can relate to the young contestants on The Voice Kids, who range from seven to 14 years old.
“When they get asked by the judges how young they were when they started singing, they say three or seven. The audience laughs at that and they’re like: ‘Wow, that’s so young.’ But I’m sitting there thinking that it’s so normal, because it was all I ever knew, too.”
From the age of 11 Pixie attended The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, after being awarded a scholarship, and while studying there she appeared in the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Then in 2006, former American X Factor judge LA Reid signed her when she was 15 years old, before a bidding war ensued.
She later released her debut album Turn It Up in 2009 with Mercury Records, which sold 1.5 million copies.
Having started out at an early age, Pixie stands firm against the show’s critics, who have argued that it puts youngsters under massive pressure.
“I learnt about rejection really young because I was going for auditions and getting nos. I think you have to realise that you can’t be told yes the whole time,” she says.
“It’s really healthy for kids to learn about it young, especially if you want to be in this business, because you’re going to get it a lot.
“When you’re younger you have a thicker skin and get over it in a couple of days.
“It doesn’t affect me now, and if someone says no then I move on to the next thing. Whereas if I had just started to experience it then I think I’d have a really hard time.”
After her debut release, Pixie went on to have two more No.1 singles, three Top 20 albums and a stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, where she finished sixth alongside professional partner Trent Whiddon.
Her breezy attitude towards rejection means that Pixie has also been able to cope with the peaks and troughs of the music industry, such as when her first greatest hits collection Platinum Pixie: Hits failed to crack the Top 100 in 2014.
“It’s not an easy business, and there’s no way you can say that it is. I don’t think you should go into this industry unless you really love it.
“It’s really tough and crazy. But if you get knock-backs, fall to the ground and don’t pick yourself up, there’s no way that you’ll be in this business for a long time.”
Right by her side every step of the way has been fiancé Oliver who she met at a Select catwalk show (the model agency they are now both signed to) in 2010.
Thanks to his super-sharp cheekbones, Oliver has fronted campaigns for Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and Marks & Spencer, which announced a 50% sales increase as a result of him modelling its swimwear.
So does Pixie credit their steady relationship for keeping her on the straight and narrow?
“Definitely,” she smiles.
“It’s good to have those stable people who are always there for you.”
Their seven-year relationship has always been surrounded by engagement rumours.
“I did get asked that all the time,” Pixie laughs.
But Oliver finally popped the question last November, and the boy did good with his movie-style proposal outside St Paul’s Cathedral.
If you get knock-backs, fall to the ground and don’t pick yourself up, there’s no way that you’ll be in this business for a long time.
Pixie Lott
“I wasn’t expecting it!” she says, flashing a very sizeable diamond ring that Oliver chose himself.
“I was jet-lagged and then Oliver said: ‘I’ve brought you here for a reason.’ As soon as he said that I was like: ‘Oh my god!’
“My stomach just dropped and then he got down on one knee. I don’t even remember what he said, but I just started bawling my eyes out. I was overtired, overwhelmed and didn’t really know what was happening! It was a crazy moment.”
As for the wedding, Pixie is planning their nuptials for July or September next year.
While specifics are TBC, she does know that she wants at least six hen parties and two trips down the aisle.
“I’ve always wanted to get married twice, but to the same person!” she giggles.
“I want to stretch out the celebrations, as you only get to do it once!”
This front-row regular and fashionista – Pixie previously had her own clothing range for Lipsy – plans to make an impact with her bridal dress, too.
“I want it to be classic, timeless and something that will always look good. You don’t want to look back on your wedding pictures and wonder what you were thinking. But it will still be unique! I’m not going to think about it just yet because I might change my mind.”
Pixie – who will take Oliver’s surname when they marry because they are both sticklers for tradition – reckons she has figured out what their secret has been.
“I think we know each other inside out. I can’t imagine starting again with someone else.
“We’ve grown up together and have lots of memories. Obviously Oliver understands my job and I understand his. We know what we want to achieve and we’re on the same wavelength. We’ve been through a lot, so it brings you close.”
This comes as no surprise. Their social media accounts are decorated with snaps of them travelling the world, they are rarely seen apart and they always look ridiculously loved-up when snapped at events.
So behind the Instagram filters, what hard times have they been through together?
I think we know each other inside out. I can’t imagine starting again with someone else.
Pixie Lott
“There have definitely been ups and downs. We have had to be away from each other for long periods of time while we are working. Or sometimes when I’m really busy it’s hard to see each other.
“But we do understand each other’s jobs because we had them before we met. We have learnt how to deal with it.
“Every relationship is unique. I think people are so quick to judge, but there are no rules in love. You have to do what feels right and not be scared to live in the moment and just go for it.”
WhatsApp and FaceTime have proved relationship saviours for the couple, who are keen to start a family in the future.
They especially came in handy last year when Pixie made her stage debut playing Holly Golightly in Breakfast At Tiffany’s, which went on a UK tour before a 12-week run in London’s West End.
“I thought the whole pop thing and Strictly was hard work, but it was nowhere near as tough as doing the play. It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and it was very emotionally draining.
“It made me grow so much as a person and a performer, so I’ll never forget that experience.”
Every relationship is unique. I think people are so quick to judge, but there are no rules in love. You have to do what feels right and not be scared to live in the moment and just go for it.
Pixie Lott
For now Pixie is concentrating on her fourth album. The first single from it – Baby, a collaboration with record producer Anton Powers – was released in March.
She’s also got her hands full with putting on a monthly acoustic night in London for up-and-coming performers, and working at the Italia Conti Associate School she has set up in Essex.
Pixie decided to buy the franchise and runs it alongside her mum Beverley and sister Charlie-Ann.
“It’s a family business and I go down whenever I can and help them out. I like making the teas and coffees in the canteen. I’m beaming with pride when I watch my students perform.”
As for her own performances, some eyebrows have been raised recently over Pixie’s choice of stage outfits.
In May this year she donned little more than her underwear for a performance at G-A-Y nightclub in London and the previous month she wore a pink leotard for a separate event.
It follows similar criticism of Little Mix and Louisa Johnson for sexing up their image, despite their many young female fans.
Understandably, Pixie resents having her wardrobe scrutinised.
“I think that’s a bit crazy. Singer in leotards – it’s not that out of the box is it? Madonna and Cher have been doing it for years.
“We’re meant to be moving forwards and be one step ahead. If people were doing it back in the ‘70s then why is it so crazy for people to be doing it now? I think I’ve got older and sexiness comes with age.”
As she gets up to leave, it takes Pixie 20 minutes to get to the exit after celebrity pals Radio 1 presenter Clara Amfo, singer Diana Vickers
and former TOWIE star Tom Kilbey all stop her for a chat.
One thing is for sure, even in a stained top and jeans, Pixie can definitely still turn heads.
Watch The Voice Kids, Saturdays, 7.30pm, ITV.