Alesha Dixon on her new single, flirting with Tinie Tempah, and not chewing her toenails

She is undoubtedly one of the most energetic and down-toearth women in showbiz. Former Mis-Teeq and Strictly Come Dancing star Alesha Dixon, is back and raring to go with her brand new single Drummer Boy, which is taken from her upcoming third album The Entertainer.

Since launching her solo career ‘Alesha has ‘cha cha-ed’ her way into the nation’s hearts after winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2007, before eventually becoming a judge. We caught up with the lady herself for a chat about the inspiration behind her new single, Tinie Tempah, and to ask her to take part in our awkward honesty game…

What can you tell us about your brand new single Drummer Boy?
When I first heard the beat I thought it was different and loved it straight away. It’s one of those songs empowering women to be the boss. And I’m calling it a Marmite record because people are either going to love it or hate it.

We’ve noticed that you’ve ditched your usual look for something a bit more cutting edge in the video. What was the inspiration behind that?
With every video we try to create a look that matches and mirrors the feel of the record, and because Drummer Boy is quite fierce and rough what I wanted to do was to bring that rough character to life. I also had the vision for the video and wanted something with loads of energy.

Tinie Tempah has recently expressed his love for you saying ‘The new Alesha Dixon video is doing a lot to me right now… I’m not gonna lie.’ Are you at all in search of a drummer boy?
[Laughs]… A drummer boy would be nice right now but you can’t force these things to happen. I am happy being single at the moment but I wouldn’t mind
collaborating with Tinie Tempah as I’m loving his music right now.

If you were to choose just one of your songs past or present for people to download, what would it be?
First of all you can download the new video as well as six remixes of my latest single Drummer Boy off iTunes. My last album was significant as it was summing up an experience that I was going through at the time. And also the Mis-teeq days – but I will leave it up to the people to decide.

You worked alongside a few producers including Buzbee (Alexandra Burke – Bad Boys) and Toby Gad (Beyoncé’s If I Were a Boy) on the new album. How was that?
I worked with Buzbee on a track called La La La which I loved. I also went back and did some MCing on another track for the album. Toby Gad, was really enjoyable working with as he is so experienced. We did a track called Cool With Me which will also be on the album.

What are your plans for the future? Do you plan to launch your career stateside?
You will definitely see me back on Strictly, and no I won’t be going to the States any time soon. First I want to establish my new album here in the UK and across Europe, but it is a dream to go over to the States one day.

To allow us to unravel the quirkier side of your personality and to find out a bit more about you, we’ve put together a game called ‘Alesha’s Awkward Honesty Game’ which basically requires you to answer the following questions as honestly as you can:

Which song title would best sum up your life story?
I’m a Survivor.

Have you ever chewed your toenails?
[Laughs] No I haven’t, I might have long legs but are you mad?

What are the last four digits in your phone number?
Errr, 7330.

What are you wearing right now?
A pair of black boots, a black top, a leather jacket and a necklace with my name on it.

Is there a celebrity that you feel should never dance?
Kate Garraway.

What do you want to know about the future?
Oh! Career-wise I would love to know if I am going to ever do a world tour, and I would also want to know if I am going to have kids.

Alesha Dixon’s new single Drummer Boy is out now, and will be followed by The Entertainer in November.

Interview by Noel Phillips