Alesha Dixon

The singer/ songwriter and judge from BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing tells us why literacy and reading is so important to both her professional and personal life. She also reveals why she is pledging her support for our new Vote for Literacy campaign.

Alesha was interviewed at her photo shoot for Passion for Knowledge posters, sponsored by Renaissance Learning, which are produced as part of an annual campaign supported by the NLT to help combat the literacy problems faced by young people in the UK.

Why do you think reading is important?

Reading is a core part of education and knowledge. I think it is really important for young people to take that time out and focus on something as well - it is so easy these days for them to get caught up in computer games and hanging around and doing nothing. Reading centres you: it expands your horizons and improves your learning.

What was your favourite thing to read as a child?

When I was four or five my first books I read were Peter and Jane books. I used to like short stories, poetry, that sort of thing.

What do you like to read now?

I read a really good book recently called The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. My favourite book is The Coldest Winter by Sister Souljah. That book was one of the few that I’ve read that I really didn’t want to end!

Who would you say your favourite author is?

I really like Anthony de Mello – he writes books on spirituality . I prefer books that are a bit more real life and he talks about personal growth and how to become a stronger person, as well as being in touch with your spiritual self and the more creative part of yourself. That sort of book is helpful to me as an individual and he writes a lot of books in that vein.

Who inspired you to read?

My mum inspired me to read, I remember that from the earliest age every night before I went to bed my mum read a book and I remember how important that was to her that she read to us. I was reading before I went to school and it is important to me now as an adult looking back that my mum put that quality time in. Reading together builds bonds between you and your parent, but it is also the foundation for everything in life.

What would you say to someone who doesn’t like reading?

You can’t force someone to read. It’s about just trying to show that reading isn’t boring. It’s showing them a different angle  - that you can get anything you want to read and make it fun for yourself. It doesn’t even have to be a big book that’s going to take you four months to read: it can be short stories.

Reading is a personal choice. I like reading but there’s some books where I read the first couple of chapters and I won’t bother reading again because they bore me. I think I would suggest to someone that doesn’t like reading that they should go to a friend and get a recommendation. I find I end up reading books that friends have read and they’ve said, ‘Oh, I loved that I couldn’t put it down’.

I think kids need to be educated on what books are out there because the reality is there is something out there for everyone.

You are a songwriter as well as a singer. What inspires you to write your lyrics? 

Well, the one thing that inspires me to write my lyrics is my life experience, whether I’m having a good day, a bad day, whether I’ve been through something incredible in my life or whether I’ve had setbacks. Sometimes it might not be directly about a personal situation, it might be about a personal situation that’s inspired an idea and you can use your imagination from there. I only really know how to write from true experiences.

Who would you say is your favourite songwriter?

Lauryn Hill. I love Lauryn Hill because she is not scared to talk about real life. She may say things that are slightly controversial but she gets people thinking and gets people talking. Not only is she an amazing singer, she’s an amazing rapper. And I love the fact that with her what you see is what you get.

What advice would you give to young people wanting to grow up and be like you?

Don’t do it! I think my advice would always be definitely follow your passion but be very sensible in how you go about it. Make sure you get your education first, the music industry is very risky, there’s not many guarantees, you have to be very lucky to make it through so I would always have something to fall back on. Also become as knowledgeable as possible on the business aspects of the industry, not just the creative aspects of it.

Why do you feel literacy is so important?

If a young person doesn’t gain the literacy skills they need, they will struggle at school and as adults in the job market. Whatever you do for a living, being able to read, write and communicate well is essential if you want to get ahead. A huge part of my career is about being confident at expressing myself in words - whether I’m voicing my opinions on Strictly Come Dancing or writing a new song. That is why I am supporting the National Literacy Trust’s campaign ‘Vote for Literacy’.