Strictly’s Shirley Ballas ‘always insecure’ about her looks and outfits
Shirley Ballas has opened up about feeling "insecure" about her appearance in a new interview.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, spoke candidly about how self-confidence hasn’t been easy for her to come by ever since she was young - which may surprise fans of the show.
While highlighting Bladder Health Awareness Month this November, Ballas told Irish News: "Confidence has been an issue from a young age, and I think it’s ongoing with me. I’m always insecure about the way I look, I’m insecure about what I wear."
The former professional ballroom dancer, who is beloved for her extravagant outfits on Strictly and her willingness to speak out about personal topics, said she goes to her mother for the validation she needs. Ballas’ mother Audrey Rich, 87, lives with her in London.
"I’m always looking for validation from my mother, even though sometimes I stand in my own room, which is opposite my mum’s, and I think, ‘Now, you don’t need this validation, Shirley - you’ve had your hair done, you’ve got make-up on, you’re looking pretty OK’.
"But no, I go into her room because I’m searching for that validation all the time."
Reflecting on why she feels she needs validation about the way she looks, Ballas said she was raised in a "tough industry", one where "weight was an issue, your look was an issue, bullying was an issue".
Ballas previously spoke about confidence during an appearance on Lorraine last year, and said she feels more confident in her 60s than she did when she was younger and was affected by previous marriages and comments in the dance industry.
"Each woman should know that we all come in different shapes and sizes, I’m learning that, and we’re all beautiful in our own right and I’m confidently trying to tell myself that everyday," she told Lorraine.
The previous year, she opened up to Prima magazine about having had "all sorts" of cosmetic work done because she has "struggled with my self-esteem all my life".
"I’ve done all sorts to try to make myself feel more confident; I had my teeth straightened and fat drained out of my arms and legs; I thought doing my boobs would make my husband at the time like me more, but I was doing it for the wrong reasons," she told the publication.
"You have to love yourself first. That’s my message to every woman."
Watch: Shirley Ballas discusses doing 'terrifying' skyathlon in honour of her late brother
Read more about self-esteem and mental health:
How to talk to your kids about body image (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
10 things you should do for your self-esteem every day (Prima, 5-min read)
Andrea McLean: My self-confidence was whittled away through life’s bumps in road (PA Media, 2-min read)
