And what kind of advice would you give to your younger self?
There’s so much I would tell my younger self but [it’s] to give yourself permission to be kinder to yourself. I think we’re so hard on ourselves. I know I was always a perfectionist and really hard on myself and back in the day I used to diet so much more and go to the extreme and I’d be like, “It’s not enough,” then I look back and I’m like, “God, what I would do to look like that.” So really celebrate and embrace where you are now and I don’t diet as much anymore. I try to do more balance and don’t go to extremes because it kind of just strips you of your joy and peace and happiness, you know?
How so?
Self-love doesn’t come easy. It takes work, it takes letting go of a lot of things that we cycle over in our head, but just more kindness and self-love is needed. You know, you don’t have to work out like a fiend like me. Some people are like, “You train like an athlete.” But I do that actually for my mental state. I think it’s just important for people to have more balance. I know some people, like mums of many kids have got really hard lives and a lot to juggle in their lives, but any time they can go for a walk or even [find some] stillness for themselves or do meditation – sleeping and lots of water is really good – those little things, the self-care really makes a difference, I think.
You look like you’re having a great time on set with the women in the show. During your role on X Factor UK there was speculation you and Cheryl Cole didn’t get along. Is that true?
I’m not about hating on other women – it’s definitely not what I’m about. They probably got that because I think in some of her interviews maybe she didn’t speak in the best light about me, but then again that’s a reflection on her, not me. So, I kind of don’t like to waste my energy on that. I don’t really know Cheryl, so I can’t comment.
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