A Family Affair: Pixie Lott’s Journey Through Fame and Motherhood
For many, the idea of performing on stage just two months after a Caesarean section would be unthinkable. But for singer and actress Pixie Lott, it’s all part of the routine. Known for her hard work and dedication, Pixie has carved out a successful career in showbusiness while juggling the demands of motherhood. With inspiration from fellow mum-of-five Sophie Ellis-Bextor, she has found a way to balance her professional life with family responsibilities.
Pixie, 35, is the mother of two sons, Bertie, who is two years old, and another son, who is six months old, with her husband Oliver Cheshire. The couple met when Pixie was 19, and together they have built a life that revolves around their family. One of the key elements of her success is having her parents by her side at every gig, helping to ease the pressures of being a working mom.
‘I don’t have any help other than my mum and dad,’ Pixie reveals. ‘My parents come with me to everything, and there’s no way I’d be able to do it if they weren’t there. Nobody sees how crazy it is backstage.’
From managing a baby’s poopy diaper to breastfeeding and warming up for a performance, Pixie’s days are anything but ordinary. Yet, she finds joy in the chaos, seeing it as an opportunity to create memories for her children. ‘It’s memory-making and inspiring for the kids to meet so many different people – if they want to go into music or if they don’t,’ she says.
Pixie’s parents, Beverley and Stephen, played a crucial role in shaping her into the resilient performer she is today. Raised in London and Essex with her older brother and sister, Pixie began her journey in the entertainment industry as a teenager, performing on the West End stage. Her dream of becoming a singer came true at 18 when her debut album Turn It Up reached No 6 on the UK Albums Chart, featuring two No 1 singles, Mama Do and Boys And Girls.
‘I started so young that having my family around me was important,’ she admits. ‘I was protected from all that comes with fame. It would have been really hard to navigate otherwise.’
While some of her contemporaries, like James Arthur and members of One Direction, have faced challenges, Pixie has continued to thrive. She has released four studio albums, appeared on Strictly, played Holly Golightly in the West End, coached on The Voice Kids, and starred in the movie Christmas Karma. She even opened a stage school in Chelmsford, The Pixie Lott Performing Arts Academy, which is run by her mum.
In her latest acting project, the thriller Past Life, Pixie plays Claira, the pregnant wife of Aneurin Barnard’s character. The film follows a traumatised war reporter haunted by memories of a serial killer after being hypnotised in a TV show stunt. Pixie was pregnant during filming, adding a unique layer to her performance.
‘I was in the early stages and nobody knew except for Aneurin,’ she says. ‘I was having morning sickness, so it was strange to be playing a pregnant person with a fake bump while actually having a bump underneath it. Not feeling well hopefully added to the performance.’
Past Life, which also stars Jeremy Piven and Tim McInnerny, is darker than anything Pixie has done before, and she’s eager to explore more roles in this genre. ‘It’s different to bouncing around on stage,’ she explains. ‘I’d like to do more as it’s not what people expect. The script of Past Life was a real page turner, and I’m always drawn to strong women.’
Pixie’s time on Strictly was a highlight of her career, where she topped the leaderboard four times before losing in a dance-off. She remains in touch with her dance partner Trent Whiddon and his wife, who danced at her wedding in 2022. She also keeps in contact with other female contestants and misses Caroline Flack, whom she considers a close friend.
‘I loved Caroline,’ she says. ‘We were really good friends when we did Strictly. I went to see her in the West End in Chicago, where I saw her shining. I still hear her laugh.’
Pixie has shared the stage with icons like Rihanna, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, and John Legend. ‘To work with people you really respect; I feel lucky to have those memories,’ she reflects.
Jessie J, her co-host on The Voice Kids, has also been a source of support. ‘She had her baby not long before I got pregnant and was giving me all these great tips,’ Pixie reveals.
With Sophie Ellis-Bextor as an inspiration, Pixie and Oliver, who live in Essex close to her parents and siblings, are considering expanding their family. ‘I’d love to,’ she smiles. ‘I know it all feels crazy now. Why not just make it even crazier? Sophie’s inspirational; she’s got five kids and is killing it.’
Looking ahead, Pixie’s focus will be on releasing the music she wrote before her second child was born. She also plans to enjoy a summer of festivals, which is Bertie’s favorite. ‘We’ve just got to hide the sweets!’ she laughs.
Past Life is available on digital platforms from Monday (Amazon, Apple TV, iTunes, Sky Store, Rakuten, Google).
