She rose to fame on The X Factor in 2016, as the show’s first female rap artist and became instantly recognisable thanks to her trademark baseball cap, shades and bomber jackets but, nearly four years on, Honey G looks completely different.
The star, whose real name is Anna Gilford, has lost 2st by overhauling her lifestyle during the first lockdown in March – and she says she feels like a new woman.
Honey G, 39, tells Closer, “I’ve surprised myself with the amount of weight I’ve lost, I feel more confident and sexier than ever. For the first time in ages, I’ve been able to buy clothes that are considered sexy, like leather trousers and lacy tops, which I’d never have worn before.”
She adds, “I went shopping recently, and I was shocked I could fit into a pair of size 12 trousers. Before, I would have been reaching for a size 16 or 18.”
The star credits her transformation to an intense exercise regime she began during the summer, consisting of daily 5k runs, yoga and triathlon training.
She says, “During lockdown, a friend invited me to go swimming in the open water. I loved the buzz exercise gave me, so I signed up to a do a triathlon. It felt like an absolute thrill to be pushing my body so hard. I do hefty cardio like running, spinning and cycling, and it’s completely changed my body shape.”
The star, who has followed advice from nutritionists and an obesity specialist, has made changes to her diet, too.
She explains, “In the past, I was harming my body by eating too much and consuming a lot of sugar. I was having too many takeaways and big portions and not realising the damage that was doing.
“I now stay clear of white bread and rice, and instead I’ll have healthy carbs like multi-grain or rye bread. I don’t drink alcohol at home, or buy biscuits or chocolates. If I fancy something sweet, I’ll have a protein bar, which might have a touch of chocolate. I get my fix that way.”
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On a typical day, she’ll have porridge or eggs with a slice of toast for breakfast, then chicken with broccoli and corn on the cob for lunch, and a Thai curry with shredded cauliflower instead of rice for dinner.
And the musician, who divided viewers during her X Factor stint, says she’s noticed the changes all over and is delighted with her new look.
She says, “In my twenties I was slim with a flat stomach, and my friends say I’m starting to look like the ‘old me’ again. I can wear tighter clothes without worrying about my tummy sticking out. My legs have got thinner and my arms are more toned. During The X Factor I had a bit of a chin, and that’s gone now. Eventually, I want the confidence to wear a bikini.”
But while she’s feeling on top of the world, Honey G concedes she hasn’t always felt this way. She candidly admits she went through a “low period” in her early twenties, after being the victim of a sexual assault and experiencing grief – the trauma of both blighted the years that followed.
She reveals, “Way before X Factor, I went through a period of my life that was dark, and it affected me emotionally and physically. I’d lost my grandmother, and I’d also been sexually assaulted. I was quite low for some time. I was drinking a huge amount of alcohol after my gran died, and I put on a lot of weight.”
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After being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the star sought therapy and admits it helped put the past behind her. She adds, “Now and again I’ll check in with my therapist, and I have coping mechanisms for my anxiety. I was in a really dreadful place, but I’ve come so far, which I’m proud of.”
Following her transformation, Honey G admits she’s now ready to find love and have a family of her own.
“I’m finally in the right place mentally and physically and I’d love to find the woman of my dreams,” she says. “I would love to have children one day too. I’m hoping my new look will help me attract a partner. I’ve been dating in lockdown, but I haven’t found what I’m looking for. Physical attraction is important – but I’m looking for someone to have intelligent conversations with. I wouldn’t mind if it were another celebrity, I just want someone who accepts me for who I am.”
Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week.