Jamelia has discussed how motherhood changed her life in a candid new interview.
The 38-year-old singer – who raises daughters Teji, 18, Tiani, 14, and True, 22 months – was quizzed by Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast about everything from finding out she was pregnant at 19, the pressure to lose weight in the music industry and her abusive ex.
The star said that falling pregnant so early on in her career was certainly unexpected, but having her daughter Teji shaped her whole career.
Maternal instinct: Jamelia has discussed how motherhood changed her life in a candid new podcast with Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast
When she wasn’t planning on becoming a young mum, she admitted: ‘I was 19 so I think I was ready, I don’t know why?
‘So I’d always said to myself if you’re having sex then you might get pregnant… So it wasn’t really like “Oh My Gosh, my life is over!” It was just kind of like “Yeah…”‘
The Superstar hitmaker had her first child Teji with music manager Terry Wallen, who she claims was abusive and inspired her song Thank You.
Jamelia recalled finding out she was pregnant on the day she won her first MOBO Award, and hiding the fact from her record label for as long as possible.
She said: ‘So I found out I was pregnant on the day that I won my first MOBO award so I was performing my first single.
Her pride and joy: The 38-year-old Superstar singer raises daughters Teji, 18, Tiani, 14, and True, 22 months
Incredibly close: The star (pictured left) said that falling pregnant so early on in her career was certainly unexpected, but having her daughter Teji (centre) shaped her whole career
‘So even when I won the award my Mum was like “don’t worry at least you’ve got this to show for it”.
‘And please don’t think my Mum is some horrible person but I was pregnant at a time where in the music industry if you get pregnant, you’re out of here and it was normal to get dropped so I hid that pregnancy for quite a while.’
It was after Teji’s birth in 2001 that her career really took off, but she found it tough since behind the scenes record label executives were telling her to lose weight.
Blooming: It was after Teji’s birth in 2001 that her career really took off, but she found it tough since behind the scenes record label executives were telling her to lose weight (pictured in 2001)
She explained: ‘The pressure was very different I think and it was literally coming from record exec’s saying! Slim down, you have to look like someone who has not had a baby”.’
‘I mean again I was younger but now it’s like I dare you, I dare you to tell me about my weight.’
Giovanna also quizzed Jamelia her abusive relationship with her ex Terry, who used to beat her up on a daily basis.
Tough time: It was after Teji’s birth in 2001 that her career really took off, but she found it tough when behind the scenes record label executives were telling her to lose weight
Despite previously admitting he ‘could’ve killed’ her if she hadn’t left, she has since forgiven him for his actions.
Opening up about the difficult time in her life, Jamelia said: ‘Before I was pregnant with Teja, I was in a domestically abusive situation with her father and the reason why I left that relationship is because he hit me when I had her in my arms and I just thought “Do you know what, it wasn’t OK”.
‘It was never OK at that time as a 20 year old girl, my first relationship, my thought was “It was OK when it was just me but are you really going to make this decision for your baby?”.
‘She was newborn, she was about 4 weeks old. I thought I had to go, I literally packed up her stuff and left and even then that wasn’t an easy thing to do. Making that decision, it was the best decision I could’ve made.’
Crediting Teja for saving her life, Jamelia says she has sought to make her daughter proud ever since.
She enthused: ‘Having literally a person watching you. You have to be successful you’ve got this little girl and you could change your life, her life and even who she has become today is a true testament to the influence and, motivation that she brought into my life.’
Jamelia shares her second daughter Tiani with her ex-husband Darren Byfeild.
In July 2017, Jamelia revealed she had secretly wed a mystery man who is the father of her third child True.
You can download Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast from acast.com.