No.1 for Interviews - Jessica Taylor
Jessica Taylor

She became a household name when she took part in Popstars, going on to form Liberty X, but it wasn’t until Jessica donned her ice skates that she really won over the nation’s heart…

Jessica Taylor has had a busy couple of months – not that she’s complaining. She was originally best known as one of the five ‘rejects’ from 2002’s Popstars (Hear’say won the contest) who then went on to form the band Liberty X. However, since the band’s demise a couple of years ago, she has been keeping a low profile. But recently she has exploded back into the limelight with her stunning performance on ITV’s Dancing on Ice. The 28-year-old, married to the delectable Kevin Pietersen (cricket’s version of David Beckham), got down to the final three in the skating competition and was the last girl standing. But ultimately fellow music reality TV star, Ray Quinn, took home the crown. However Jessica has not hung up her skates just yet – we caught up with her during the Dancing on Ice national tour. We wanted to find out what is like trying to have a relationship in the public eye, whether those risky stunts she did in Dancing on Ice scared her as much as they scared us just watching them, and to find out more about her on-going music projects. Also we couldn’t help but notice those pictures unveiling her as the face (and body) of Diamond Boutique, owned by Scots entrepreneur Michelle Mone! We get the low down on how she got involved with the underwear mogul and did former band mate Michelle Heaton give her any advice after her own stint for Ultimo!

How is the Dancing on Ice Tour going?
It’s really hard work, but I’m having such a great time. Being with the whole team and getting to skate in huge arenas across the UK is just brilliant. I toured loads with Liberty X, so it’s been really good fun being back on the road, but this time with skates on!

What made you want to get involved with Dancing On Ice?
Being offered the chance to be taught to skate by Torvill and Dean. I would have been mad to turn the opportunity down!

Had you ever done any ice-skating before?
I learnt to ice-skate as a kid with my mum, but going into the show all I could really do were the basics.

Were you scared by some of the stunts you had to perform?
Definitely, it was very scary at times, but you just have to go for it and believe you’ll be fine, if you think about it too much you’d never do it.

You formed a new group with Kelli from Liberty X – tell us a little about it?
Yes, it’s all very exciting and great to be back in the studio with Kelli writing and recording. We’re called DangerMinx and the sound we’ve created is quite a departure from Liberty X, it’s got a real electro-pop feel.

How did you get involved with Michelle Mone and Diamond Boutique?
Michelle approached me during Dancing On Ice, told me about Diamond Boutique, and I guess one thing led to another! I’m loving every minute of it – getting to combine two things I really enjoy, fashion and modelling, is just brilliant. Although it’s quite strange seeing myself hanging above the aisles in Tesco!

How important do you think nice underwear is to women?
Wearing lovely undies makes you feel so much more ‘put together’ and feminine and I’m lucky enough to have the full Diamond Boutique collection in my drawer, so I have no excuses! My favourite garment is the ‘Vintage Silk’ Multiway, a £14.00 luxury silk bra – it looks like something you’d find in a boutique in Paris!

Your former bandmate Michelle Heaton was previously the face and body of ‘Michelle for George’ lingerie exclusive to ASDA – did she give you any advice before you accepted the offer?
Yes, Michelle looked gorgeous in that campaign. It all happened so quickly that I didn’t really get the chance to speak to anyone about it, apart from my husband and family. When I met Michelle Mone and she offered me the job, I just knew I had to do it and the rest is history as they say!

How is it being part of a famous couple – do you ever feel as though you’re under a microscope?
We’re actually very low-key, we don’t really go to many ‘celebrity’ events, we much prefer staying in and chilling out at home! We’re pretty private people and like to keep our relationship just for us.

Did you feel the temptation to sell your wedding pictures to a magazine?
No, we didn’t actually. We wanted our wedding to be private, so it just didn’t really fit with our plans. It was such an amazing day and I’d love to do it all over again though!

How do you cope when you and your husband are apart from each other because of work?
You just have to get on with it – we’re in touch as much as possible, we call and Skype each other all the time. Having the tour has kept me really busy and focused too, which has been great – instead of me moping around and feeling sorry for myself.

What’s next in store for you after the Dancing On Ice tour?
I’ve got lots of projects lined up, but I’m really looking forward to continuing my work with Diamond Boutique and getting back in the studio with Kelli. Although, a few weeks off would be nice!

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