More Info on Alesha DixonSimilar Undetermined MusicSearch Artistopia
Biography
Redirect|Alesha||Alicia (disambiguation)!AliciaUse British English|date=January 2012Use dmy dates|date=January 2012good articleInfobox musical artist| name = Alesha Dixon| image = Alesha Dixon 4.jpg| alt = Dixon performing in Leeds in 2008.| caption = Dixon performing in Leeds in 2008.| image_size =| background = solo_singer| birth_name = Alesha Anjanette Dixon| birth_date = birth date and age|df=yes|1978|10|7| birth_place = Welwyn Garden City , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom| instrument = Vocals| genre = Contemporary R& B|R& B , hip hop music|hip hop , UK garage | occupation = Singer, songwriter, model, dancer, television presenter| years_active = 1999–present| label = Polydor (2005–2006) Asylum Records|Asylum (2007–2011) Atlantic Records|Atlantic (2007–2011)| associated_acts = Mis-Teeq , Roll Deep , Jay Sean | website = URL|aleshadixon.com| notable_instruments = Alesha Anjanette Dixon (born 7 October 1978)cite web|url= http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/alesha-dixon |title= MTV – Alesha Dixon |publisher= MTV|accessdate=4 August 2009 is a British rapper, singer-songwriter, dancer, model and television personality. She first found fame in the all-female R& B / UK garage|garage trio Mis-Teeq , however, the trio separated in 2005 and Dixon continued pursuing her music career as a solo artist, signing to Polydor Records . Dixon began recording her debut solo album, Fired Up (Alesha album)|Fired Up , in 2006, but due to poor record sales of her first two singles, " Lipstick (Alesha song)|Lipstick " and " Knockdown (song)|Knockdown ", she was dropped from Polydor.cite web|url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a114433/alesha-discusses-record-label-axe.html |title= Alesha discusses records label axe |publisher=Digital Spy| date=24 July 2008 |accessdate=4 August 2009
In 2007 Dixon became a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing and eventually won. Her television exposure led to a successful comeback,Cite news|author=Amelia Donovan |title= The Rise and Rise of Alesha|url= http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/tv/realitytv/strictly-come-dancing/gallery.aspx? cp-documentid=148479297& GT1=61503|work= MSN |date= 13 July 2009|accessdate=13 July 2009 which included her signing to Asylum Records , an offshoot of Warner Music Group . Dixon then released a second album, entitled The Alesha Show , in 2008, which received platinum certification from British Phonographic Industry|BPI in the UK and spawned four singles including " The Boy Does Nothing " and " Breathe Slow ", the latter of which became her highest charting single and earned her a Brit Award nomination.
In September 2009 Dixon became a judge on the Strictly Come Dancing (series 7)|seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing , replacing fellow judge Arlene Phillips .Cite news |title= Alesha Dixon joins Strictly team |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_8140000/newsid_8142400/8142406.stm|work=BBC|accessdate=7 November 2011|date=9 July 2009 The replacement of Phillips by Dixon attracted criticism, as some questioned the extent of Dixon's dancing knowledge.Cite news|author=Stephen Brook |title= Alesha Dixon's debut as Strictly judge draws more than 250 complaints |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/21/alesha-dixon-strictly-come-dancing|work=The Guardian |location=London |date=21 September 2009|accessdate=23 September 2009 Dixon herself dismissed the criticism, describing it as a "storm in a teacup", and refused to stand down as judge.cite news|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1214802/Strictly-Come-Dancing-Backlash-begins-Alesha-Dixon-complaints-flood-BBC.html |title= Strictly Come Dancing: Alesha Dixon says backlash is just a 'storm in a teacup' |work=Daily Mail |location=London | date=22 September 2009 |accessdate=23 September 2009 In 2010 Dixon returned for the Strictly Come Dancing (series 8)|eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing and released her third studio album, The Entertainer (Alesha Dixon album)|The Entertainer . In January 2012, shortly after completing the Strictly Come Dancing (series 9)|ninth series and her third year as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing , Dixon quit to become a judge on '' Britain's Got Talent ''.cite news| url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16385243 | work=BBC News | title=Alesha Dixon leaves Strictly for Britain's Got Talent | date=2 January 2012
Biography
Early life
Alesha Anjanette Dixon was born in Welwyn Garden City , Hertfordshire, on 7 October 1978, to an English mother, Beverly Harris, and Jamaica n father, Melvin Dixon. Alesha Dixon has five half-brothers named Adrian, Mark, John, Jeroame, Callum and one half-sister called Leyanne.
She was educated at Monk's Walk School , Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Dixon's mother and father split up when Dixon was four years old and Dixon's father moved away, resulting in Dixon later describing her family life as "very dysfunctional".cite news|author= Andrew Billen |url= http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6917710.ece|title= Alesha Dixon: I'm no pushover, you'll see |work=The Times |location=London |date= 16 November 2009|accessdate=11 December 2009 Between the ages of eight and ten, Dixon witnessed her mother suffer domestic abuse from her partner;cite news|author= Kelly Mattison |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/nov/16/alesha-dixon-documentary-domestic-violence |title= Alesha Dixon presents BBC show on domestic violence|work=The Guardian |location=London |date= 16 November 2010|accessdate=19 January 2011 she only spoke publicly about the issue 21 years later, in 2010.Dixon created a documentary for the BBC , ''Don't Hit My Mum'', regarding the issue of domestic abuse from a child's perspective, and remarked upon her own childhood: "When I think about that time, I don't remember living in harmony, I don't remember any fun times, I suppose because the negativity has clouded it. The negative times and the scary times have blocked anything that was good ... I believe that every child has the right to grow up in an environment where they feel secure and fearless going into the world, and I didn't really feel that".
Her first job was at Ladbrokes ,Dixon career">cite news|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/may/30/alesha-dixon-career |title=Love your work: Alesha Dixon & #124; Money & #124; guardian.co.uk |work=The Guardian |location=London |date= 30 May 2009|accessdate=12 July 2009 | first=Deany | last=Judd although she aspired to become a Physical education|PE teacher after leaving college. After completing a diploma course in sports studies,Dixon career" /> she had planned to take up a place at Loughborough University ,cite web | url= http://www.gm.tv/articles/showbiz/june-sept-entertainment-archive/22042-alesha.html| title=Alesha Dixon webchat | publisher= GMTV | accessdate=17 August 2009 but whilst at dance classes in London she was approached by a Artists and repertoire|talent scout from a production company.cite news|author= Peter Bradshaw |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/dec/08/popandrock.bbc? gusrc=rss& feed=media |title= A star is born. Again |work=The Guardian |location=London |date= 8 December 2007|accessdate=30 August 2009 Whilst travelling back home on the train she was approached by another scout who was forming a band and asked if she was interested. Dixon's musical hopes had previously been met with scepticism from Melvin Dixon, as he encouraged Alesha to follow a more academic career path.cite news|author= Sara Nathan |url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article619506.ece |title= Alesha's family rift heartbreak |work=The Sun |location=UK |date= 26 December 2007 |accessdate=26 February 2010Dixon explained that "his view was there weren't many black British musicians who were overly successful. I said, 'Dad, I can't base my decision on what people haven't done'". Ignoring her father's advice, Dixon decided to pursue a career in music.
1999-05: Mis-Teeq
Dixon's career began in 1999 when she met Sabrina Washington when they both joined a dance school in Fulham , south west London.cite web|author=Tom Horan |url= http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-896089-mis-teeq-its-a-uk-thing.do |title=Mis-teeq: It's a UK thing |work= London Evening Standard |date=2 November 2001 |accessdate=27 February 2010 Together they decided to form a band when Dixon and Washington, the two co-founders, spotted Su-Elise Nash , a girl auditioning for another band.Dixon and Washington proposed that Nash join the group and together they formed a trio. They were soon signed to Telstar Records with the addition of a new member, Zena McNally , and became the popular UK garage / Contemporary R& B|R& B girl band, Mis-Teeq . After months of recording throughout 1999 and early 2000, Mis-Teeq released their debut single " Why? (Mis-Teeq song)|Why? " in January 2001, however, it was not long before McNally left the band.cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/mis_teeq/artist.jhtml#bio|title=MTV – Mis-Teeq Bio |publisher=MTV |accessdate=2 August 2009 The band made a decision to remain a trio. In October 2001, they released their debut album '' Lickin' On Both Sides , featuring hits " All I Want (Mis-Teeq song)|All I Want ", " One Night Stand (song)|One Night Stand ", " B with Me " and double A-side single " Roll On/This Is How We Do It ". In 2002 Mis-Teeq performed and received a nomination at the BRIT Awards in Earls Court Exhibition Centre|Earls Court ,cite web|url= http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/2002 |title= 2002 BRIT Awards|publisher=brits.co.uk |accessdate=7 November 2011 later in the year band won the MOBO Awards|MOBO Award for Best Garage Act.cite web|url= http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/t4/microsites/M/mobo/best_ofthe_rest_04.html |title= MOBO Awards – Mis-Teeq|publisher=Channel 4 |accessdate=2 August 2009 After the success of their debut album, 2003 saw Mis-Teeq becoming the faces of JD Sports stores nationwide.cite web|url= http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/3am/2003/11/13/meet-mis-teeq-115875-13609629/ |title=Meet Mis-Teeq& #33; |work=Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=13 November 2003 |accessdate=12 July 2009cite web|url= http://rnbdirt.com/mis-teeq-launce-reebok-clothing-line/5121/ |title=Mis-Teeq Launch Reebok Clothing Line |publisher=rnbdirt.com |date=17 November 2003 |accessdate=12 July 2009
In 2003, Mis-teeq released their second album Eye Candy (album)|Eye Candy , which included the singles " Scandalous (Mis-Teeq song)|Scandalous ", " Can't Get It Back " and " Style (song)|Style ". In 2004, Mis-Teeq toured the United States and released their debut single Scandalous from their American self-titled debut, a compilation of the albums ''Lickin' On Both Sides and Eye Candy . They also released "One Night Stand" before coming back to Europe to start work with their third album however, Telstar Records went into administration.Cite news|author= Gavin Martin |title= Alesha Dixon reveals all about her rollercoaster career|url= http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/05/08/alehsa-dixon-reveals-all-about-her-rollercoaster-career-115875-21342665/|work=Daily Mirror |location=UK|date= 8 May 2009|accessdate=28 May 2009 The band was left with no choice but to release a Greatest Hits compilation under exclusive licences with Universal Records . The last song Dixon recorded with Mis-Teeq was " Shoo Shoo Baby (song)|Shoo Shoo Baby " for the The Walt Disney Company|Disney film Valiant (film)|Valiant . In March 2005, their Greatest Hits compilation was released and it was announced that they were separating to pursue solo careers.cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4225955.stm|title=Girl group Mis-Teeq to split up |publisher=BBC | date=1 February 2005 |accessdate=9 August 2009 In June 2005, after a five-year relationship, Dixon married artist Michael Harvey (artist)|Michael Harvey , otherwise known as MC Harvey, of So Solid Crew , in a private ceremony at Brocket Hall , Hertfordshire.cite news|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-503760/Why-I-walked-Strictlys-Alesha-unfaithful-husband.html |title='Why I walked out on Strictly's Alesha,' by her unfaithful husband & #124; Mail Online |work=Daily Mail |location=London |date=21 December 2007 |accessdate=12 July 2009
2006–08: Fired Up , record label departure and Strictly Come Dancing
Quote box|width=220px|align=right|quote=I never lost the desire to want to carry on in music – that's all I know, all I've ever dreamed of doing, it’s all I've ever wanted to do so, I think, never give up. | source=Alesha Dixon, discussing her thoughts on being dropped by her record label, Polydor.cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7709237.stm |title= Talking Shop: Alesha Dixon |publisher=BBC | date=7 November 2008 |accessdate=5 August 2009Dixon launched her solo career after Mis-Teeq's break-up and signed a £500,000, three-album deal with Polydor Records . She spent a year writing and recording her solo debut album, Fired Up (Alesha album)|Fired Up , working with a wide range of producers including Richard X , Xenomania , Johnny Douglas , Brian Higgins (producer)|Brian Higgins , Estelle (singer)|Estelle and Paul Epworth. During this period Dixon performed mononymous person|mononymously , known simply as "Alesha". In June 2005, she announced her first solo single to be "Superficial". However, at the last minute, the song " Lipstick (Alesha song)|Lipstick " was chosen as the first single.cite news| author= Caroline Briggs |title=Alesha returns with added gloss| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5236418.stm|publisher=BBC | date=7 August 2006 |accessdate=5 August 2009 "Lipstick" was released on 14 August 2006, and charted at 14 on the UK Single Charts . She released her second single " Knockdown (song)|Knockdown " on 30 October 2006, which charted at 25 on the UK Download Chart . However on the official UK Singles Charts , the single peaked at number 45, falling down to 68 the following week. On 6 November 2006, it was revealed that Dixon had been dropped by her record label|label , Polydor Records. Polydor gave her full rights to her unreleased debut album, Fired Up . Coinciding with her professional troubles was the collapse of her marriage to Harvey; Dixon filed for divorce just over a year after her wedding due to her husband's affair with Javine Hylton .cite web|url= http://fametastic.co.uk/archive/20071029/8255/alesha-dixon-mc-harvey-regrets-his-affair-but-i-dont/ |title= Alesha Dixon: MC Harvey regrets his affair but I don’t |publisher= Fametastic |date=29 October 2007 |accessdate=2 August 2009 Of her experience she said "my music career and marriage were the most important things. And I lost them within two weeks of each other".cite news|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-504345/Alesha-Ive-gone-suicidal-Strictly-Come-Dancing-queen--Im-set-make-5m.html |title=Alesha: 'I've gone from suicidal to Strictly Come Dancing queen – now I'm set to make £5m' & #124; Mail Online |work=Daily Mail |location=London |date=24 December 2007 |accessdate=12 July 2009 However, determined to move on, she said: "When you are knocked down you have two choices – stay down or get back up, stronger."cite web|author=Exclusive Interview with: Alesha Dixon |url= http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/the-ticket/2009/05/exclusive-interview-with-alesh.html |title=Exclusive Interview with: Alesha Dixon – The Ticket – TV & Entertainment – Mirror.co.uk |publisher=Blogs.mirror.co.uk |accessdate=12 July 2009
Dixon took part in series 5 of hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing in 2007, partnered with professional dancer Matthew Cutler . Dixon was at first hesitant to join, fearing that snobbery within the music industry would damage her career. In a later interview she said, "there's always this preconceived idea that people do reality TV shows because they want to kick-start their careers whereas I was actually worried that it would affect it."cite web|url= http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=c3g7wX1cQPk |title= The Justin Lee Collins Show |publisher= ITV2 | date=9 May 2009 |accessdate=30 August 2009 They had been the favourite from the third week, receiving the most points from the judges on numerous occasions. Dixon herself gained high appraisal from the judges, even being likened to a "young Josephine Baker " by Bruno Tonioli . They received 4.5 million votes in the final, beating actor Matt Di Angelo and professional dancer Flavia Cacace to win the glitter disco ball.cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/12_december/22/strictly.shtml |title=Alesha Dixon wins Strictly Come Dancing 2007 |publisher=BBC News |date= 22 December 2007|accessdate=30 August 2009 However, personal troubles arose once more, as Dixon became estranged from her older borther Mark Harris, after he sold his story of their "terrible" childhood, claiming that they "often went to bed hungry"; he also accused Dixon of turning her back on her family in the pursuit of fame and fortune.cite news|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-504077/Why-Aleshas-troubled-past-desperate-win-Strictly-Come-Dancing.html |title=Why Alesha's troubled past has made her desperate to win Strictly Come Dancing & #124; Mail Online |work=Daily Mail |location=London |date=21 December 2007|accessdate=12 July 2009Dixon was dubbed the "British Beyoncé " by Strictly Come Dancing host Bruce Forsyth ,cite web|url= http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/39590/alesha-dixon-wins-strictly-come |title=Alesha Dixon Wins Strictly Come Dancing& #33; – Celebrity Gossip, News & Photos, Movie Reviews, Competitions |publisher=Entertainmentwise |date=23 December 2007 |accessdate=12 July 2009 Alesha later said "There's only one Beyoncé. When Bruce said that, I got embarrassed. It's very sweet... but it's not true."cite news|author=By SARA NATHANTV Editor |url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article616658.ece |title=Alesha Dixon & #124; I didn't see the point in living.. look at me now & #124; The Sun & #124;Showbiz& #124;TV |publisher=The Sun |date=24 December 2007 |accessdate=12 July 2009 |location=LondonDixon is currently the most successful contestant to ever take part in Strictly Come Dancing , with an average point score of 36.5/40, the highest average score from any contestant to ever take part in the show.
2008–09: The Alesha Show and Strictly Come Dancing judging
After her victory on Strictly Come Dancing Dixon soon became at the centre of a bidding war between record labels, and even Polydor Records , the label that had dropped her months previously, put in an offer.cite news|author= Peter Robinson |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/oct/12/aleshadixon.music |title='Dancing costs nothing' |work=The Observer |location=London |date=12 October 2008 |accessdate=9 April 2010 Dixon, however, chose to sign a four-album contract with Asylum Records in 2008.cite web|url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a114433/alesha-discusses-record-label-axe.html |title=Music – News – Alesha discusses record label axe |publisher=Digital Spy |date=24 July 2008 |accessdate=12 July 2009 Dixon's first new album as part of her contract, The Alesha Show (album)|The Alesha Show was released in the UK on 24 November 2008 and 21 November in Ireland. The official first single from the album, " The Boy Does Nothing " became her first solo top ten hitcite web|url= http://acharts.us/song/40184 |title=Alesha Dixon – The Boy Does Nothing – Music Charts |publisher=Acharts.us |accessdate=12 July 2009 on the UK Singles Chart , following a 76 spot jump from 84 to 8 on the UK Singles Chart chart on downloads alone. The single eventually peaked at number 5. The song also fared well in continental Europe and is rising on the Australian Singles Chart. The second single from The Alesha Show was " Breathe Slow " and entered the UK Singles Chart at number thirty-nine solely on download sales.cite web|url= http://acharts.us/song/41266 |title=Alesha Dixon – Breathe Slow – Music Charts |publisher=Acharts.us |accessdate=12 July 2009 The single rose for three weeks before breaking into the top ten at number six, giving Dixon her second top ten hit in the UK from downloads alone, and eventually peaked at number 3 on the Top 40 UK Charts, giving Dixon her second consecutive top 5 single. She also put a song up on her website for free download on 19 October 2008 named "Colours of the Rainbow".
The third single from The Alesha Show , titled " Let's Get Excited " was physically released on 11 May and reached a peak position of 13 in the UK Singles Chart. "Let's Get Excited" became Dixon's first track from The Alesha Show not to chart inside the top 10 in the UK Singles Chart. The song's presence in the charts boosted album sales and The Alesha Show rebounded at a new peak of 11. On 9 June it was announced on Dixon's official website that the album had received platinum certification from British Phonographic Industry|BPI , indicating sales of 300,000+ in the UK alone.cite web|url= http://www.aleshadixon.co.uk/news,aleshas-album-has-now-gone-platinum_116.htm |title=Alesha's album has now gone Platinum |publisher=Alesha Dixon official site| date=9 June 2009 |accessdate=2 August 2009 The fourth single from The Alesha Show , called " To Love Again (song)|To Love Again " was released on 15 November 2009.cite web|author=David Balls |url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a177896/alesha-dixon-to-release-barlow-penned-track.html |title=Alesha Dixon to release Barlow-penned track |publisher=Digital Spy |date= 17 September 2009 |accessdate=17 September 2009 The track, a ballad penned by Dixon and Gary Barlow , was the first single taken from the deluxe version, entitled The Alesha Show – Encore , released on 23 November.cite web|url= http://www.popjustice.com/index.php? option=com_content& task=view& id=4050& Itemid=206 |title=Alesha Dixon's new single: It has every chance of being above average |publisher=Popjustice| date=17 September 2009 |accessdate=17 September 2009Dixon also embarked upon a 17-date national tour, named The Alesha Show (tour)|The Alesha Show , which began on 20 October 2009 in Nottingham .
It was revealed in July 2009 that Alesha would be joining the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel in September 2009.cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8142139.stm |title=Entertainment & #124; Dixon joins Strictly dance judges |publisher=BBC News |date= 9 July 2009|accessdate=12 July 2009 She replaced Arlene Phillips , which led to the BBC being accused of ageism and sexism by the media,cite news|url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5787653/BBC-in-ageism-row-after-axing-Strictly-judge-Arlene-Phillips-in-favour-of-Alesha-Dixon.html |title= BBC in ageism row after axing Strictly judge Arlene Phillips in favour of Alesha Dixon |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=9 July 2009 |accessdate=4 August 2009 | first1=Urmee | last1=Khancite web|url= http://tv.sky.com/strictly-backlash |title= Strictly Backlash |publisher= British Sky Broadcasting|Sky | date=13 July 2009 |accessdate=4 August 2009 and Dixon herself faced criticism by newspaper columnists such as Amanda Platell and Janet Street-Porter .cite news|author=Amanda Platell |url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1194301/Platells-People-Little-Miss-Cleavage-Beebs-bias.html |title=Platell's People: Little Miss Cleavage and the Beeb's against bias & #124; Mail Online |work=Daily Mail |location=London |date= 20 June 2009|accessdate=12 July 2009 cite news|author=Janet Street-Porter |url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1194618/Why-I-wont-wear-wacky-T-shirts-raise-cash-charity.html |title=Why I won't wear wacky T-shirts to raise cash for charity & #124; Mail Online |work=Daily Mail |location=London |date=23 June 2009 |accessdate=12 July 2009 Dixon, having a conflicting schedule also had to rearrange three dates on her upcoming tour, The Alesha Show (tour)|The Alesha Show in order to do the show, which is broadcast live on Saturday nights.cite web|url= http://www.aleshadixon.co.uk/blog,alesha-confirmed-as-new-strictly-come-dancing-judge_121.htm |title= Alesha confirmed as new Strictly Come Dancing judge |publisher= Alesha Dixon official site | date=9 July 2009 |accessdate=4 August 2009 The replacement of Arlene Phillips for Alesha Dixon even became dubbed "Alesha-gate" by some (the " List of scandals with "-gate" suffix|-gate " suffix being a reference to the Watergate Scandal ).cite web|author=Jim Shelley |url= http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/shelleyvision/2009/09/strictly-come-dancings-alesha.html |title=Strictly Come Dancing's Alesha Dixon is still better than Cheryl Cole|work=Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=28 November 2009 |accessdate=5 June 2010 |authorlink=Jim Shelley (TV critic) Dixon's judging debut was met by criticism by some viewers, and 272 complaints were received by the BBC, according to The Guardian .cite news|author=Stephen Brook|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/21/alesha-dixon-strictly-come-dancing |title=Alesha Dixon's debut as Strictly judge draws more than 250 complaints |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=21 September 2009 |accessdate=5 June 2010 In response to the complaints, television critic Jim Shelley (TV critic)|Jim Shelley commented that "the lynch-mob was such you'd have thought she had strangled a kitten". Despite the complaints, the BBC stated they were "delighted" with Dixon. Arlene Phillips herself stated in response to the claims that "The BBC hired Alesha because they wanted a different opinion – a voice of the viewer – and that's what she does. She was never hired to give a technical viewpoint ... It is very hard for her – she must be incredibly nervous. The judges had all worked together for six series and she is new and on her own."cite news|author=Lucy Connolly|url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/strictly_come_dancing/2646543/Arlene-Phillips-Strictly-Come-Dancings-lost-some-sparkle.html |title=Strictly's lost some sparkle|work=The Sun |location=UK |date=21 September 2009 |accessdate=5 June 2010 Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli accused critics of hypocrisy, saying "this time last year people were calling for Arlene to be sacked on the spot for being rude about John Sergeant (journalist)|John Sergeant ... She was the Wicked Witch of the West , now all of a sudden she is Mother Teresa . What's going on here? "cite news|url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/strictly_come_dancing/2718664/Bruno-Tonioli-slams-whingeing-fans.html|title=Frank Bruno |work=The Sun |location=UK |date=7 November 2009 |accessdate=5 June 2010 However, despite Dixon's debut causing hundreds of complaints, critics praised some of her later judging as the series progressed, with Richard Simpson of the Daily Mail stating, "it seems Miss Dixon has finally found her voice and is making up for lost time on that point".cite news|author=Richard Simpson|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1226148/Straight-talking-Alesha-Dixon-doesnt-pull-punches-Strictly.html |title=Straight-talking Alesha Dixon doesn't pull any punches on Strictly |work=Daily Mail |location=London |date=9 November 2009 |accessdate=5 June 2010
2010–11: The Entertainer
In early 2010, Dixon began work on her third studio album, The Entertainer (Alesha Dixon album)|The Entertainer , which she intended to release during the summer. In May 2010 the Daily Star (United Kingdom)|Daily Star claimed that Dixon has been working with producer Jim Beanz and that Beanz stated "We're going to build some up-tempo dance songs to take the UK and the US by storm".cite web|author=Kim Dawson |url= http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/133927/Exclusive-Alesha-Dixon-to-go-global-with-Britney-Spears-pr |title= Exclusive: Alesha to go global with Britney Spears' producer|work=Daily Star |location=UK |date=6 May 2010 |accessdate=14 May 2010 On 15 March Dixon flew to Denmark to begin recording with Soulshock & Karlin , the producers of Dixon's " Breathe Slow ".cite web|author=Rachel Dayman |url= http://aleshadixon.net/blog/? p=2093 |title= Alesha's recording in Denmark |publisher=AleshaDixon.net |date=12 March 2010 |accessdate=14 May 2010 Dixon's fan site later reported that Dixon had secured a recording session with Rodney Jerkins , a record producer who has produced records for Michael Jackson 's final studio album Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible and most recently produced Lady Gaga and Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé 's " Telephone (song)|Telephone ".cite web|author=Rachel Dayman |url= http://aleshadixon.net/blog/? p=2093 |title= Alesha to work with Rodney Jerkins |publisher=AleshaDixon.net |date=20 April 2010 |accessdate=14 May 2010
On 16 June Dixon revealed on a post on her fansite that the upcoming album is to be called Unleashed ,cite web|author=Alesha Dixon|url= http://aleshadixon.net/blog/? p=2216 |title= Update from Alesha |publisher=AleshaDixon.net |date=16 June 2010 |accessdate=30 June 2010 and on 30 June her fansite president revealed the lead single is a track called " Drummer Boy (song)|Drummer Boy ", produced by Haitian-American producer, Shama Joseph, or "ShamRock".cite web|author=Rachel Dayman|url= http://aleshadixon.net/blog/? p=2222|title= The new single 'Drummer Boy' |publisher=AleshaDixon.net |date=30 June 2010 |accessdate=30 June 2010 On 5 August it was revealed that Dixon had decided to change the album name from Unleashed to The Entertainer (Alesha Dixon album)|The Entertainer .cite web|author=Rachel Dayman|url= http://aleshadixon.net/blog/? p=2423|title= Alesha changes album title |publisher=AleshaDixon.net |date=5 August 2010 |accessdate=5 August 2010 "Drummer Boy", released in August, charted moderately at 15 on the UK Singles Chart . On 16 September it was announced that Dixon had collaborated with Roll Deep and featured in the band's single " Take Control (Roll Deep song)|Take Control ".cite web|author=Tigo Sigel |url= http://www.rwdmag.com/2010/09/roll-deep-hook-up-with-alesha-dixon-for-new-single/|title= NEWS: Roll Deep Hook-Up With Alesha Dixon For New Single|work= Rewind Magazine|RWD |date=16 September 2010 |accessdate=16 September 2010 The track appeared on both Roll Deep's album— Winner Stays On —and The Entertainer . " Radio (Alesha Dixon song)|Radio ", billed as The Entertainer 's second single, charted poorly upon release in November 2010, failing to reach the Top 40. The single's release coincided with the release of the album, which too made little commercial impact; a year later it was noted that the album had sold 60,000 copies.cite news|author=Beth Neil |url= http://www.fabulousmag.co.uk/fabmag/_fabulous/celebs/1366795/Alesha-Dixon-is-Strictly-sexy.html|title=Atten-shun& #33; Alesha Dixon tells us why she's strictly single after battling back from heartache to become the darling of the dance floor|work=Fabulous|date=24 September 2011 |accessdate=24 February 2012 The album's next single, "Every Little Part of Me", which features guest vocals from Jay Sean , became her lowest performing chart single when released in February 2011, charting at 78. Subsequently, in June 2011 Dixon and her record label Atlantic/Asylum both agreed to part ways, declaring "creative differences" as the reason.cite news|author=Emily Sheridan |url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2081317/Alesha-Dixon-quits-Strictly-Come-Dancing-Will-Cowells-new-girl-Britains-Got-Talent.html|title=Will she be Simon Cowell's new girl? Alesha Dixon quits Strictly Come Dancing after three series|work=Daily Mail |location=UK |date=2 January 2012 |accessdate=2 January 2012
Acknowledging the album's lack of commercial success, Dixon said she would always prefer to "take a chance creatively" than release what she perceived to be stultifying records. She commented: "I knew the single ' Drummer Boy (song)|Drummer Boy ' was a risk. It was a very difficult record and so far removed from anything I'd done before. I get that ... I take full responsibility for that, but I'm glad I did it. I'd rather make a unique record like 'Drummer Boy' and have it fail than play it safe and release bland, generic music that doesn't excite me."
2012–present: Fourth studio album and ''Britain's Got Talent
Dixon wrote and released a new track " Do It Our Way (Play) " for the New Year Weight Watchers campaign, and features in the new adverts of the organisation. The track was released onto iTunes on 1 January 2012, as a digital download.cite web|author=Rachel Barnes |url= http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1109936/Strictly-judge-Alesha-Dixon-stars-Weight-Watchers-28m-song-campaign/ |title=Strictly judge Alesha Dixon stars in Weight Watchers' £28m song campaign |publisher=Marketingmagazine.co.uk |date=2011-12-20 |accessdate=2012-03-31 On 2 January, Dixon announced her departure from her judging role on Strictly Come Dancing , to pursue other projects.cite web|author=Published Monday, Jan 2 2012, 14:25 GMT |url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a357958/alesha-dixon-quits-strictly-come-dancing.html |title=Alesha Dixon quits 'Strictly Come Dancing' - Strictly Come Dancing News - Reality TV |publisher=Digital Spy |date=2012-01-02 |accessdate=2012-03-31 It was later announced that she left the panel to join the judging panel of '' Britain's Got Talent '' along with Simon Cowell , Amanda Holden and David Walliams .cite news| url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8988397/Alesha-Dixon-quits-Strictly-to-judge-Britains-Got-Talent.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Alesha Dixon quits Strictly& #33; to judge Britain's Got Talent | date=2 January 2012
Months earlier, on 21 August 2011, after false reports emerged that Dixon would join The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor , another programme of Simon Cowell's and Strictly Come Dancing 's ratings rival, Dixon stated in an interview: "I'm not ruling out working with Simon in the future but, at the moment, I am very happy at Strictly and I'm focusing on this year".Cite news|author=Steve Hendry|url= http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2011/08/21/i-m-not-heading-for-the-exit-says-beeb-babe-alesha-dixon-as-strictly-come-dancing-returns-to-screens-86908-23361349/|publisher=Daily Record|title=Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon on her future with the hit BBC show |date=21 August 2011|accessdate=9 January 2012 Alison Boshoff the Daily Mail claimed, upon Dixon receiving her new judging role on ''Britain's Got Talent , that "Dixon has been pursuing Simon Cowell with almost embarrassing ardour for many months",Cite news|author=Alison Boshoff|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2081975/Will-Alesha-Dixon-pay-Strictly-Come-Dancing-Britains-Got-talent.html|publisher= Daily Mail ''|title=As Simon Cowell poaches her to rescue Britain's Got Talent, will Alesha end up paying a high price for her ambition? |date=4 January 2012|accessdate=9 January 2012|location=London referencing an interview conducted where Dixon was quoted as saying The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor was "more creative" than Strictly Come Dancing and a Twitter|Tweet Dixon had made saying "Off to Syco now for a meeting." Boshoff called it a "a blatant play for a slot on one of Cowell's judging panels." Michael Hogan, of The Daily Telegraph , pointed out that "if rumours are to be believed, Dixon has more than tripled her salary by defecting to the commercial channel",Cite news|author=Michael Hogan|url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/strictly-come-dancing/8989300/Alesha-Dixon-will-she-be-missed-from-Strictly.html|publisher= The Daily Telegraph |title=Alesha Dixon: will she be missed from Strictly? |date=3 January 2012|accessdate=9 January 2012|location=London a point made by various other sources; Dixon's manager Malcolm Blair stated that her decision to leave "was never about the money".Cite news|author=Ben Todd & Emily Sheridan|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2081465/Alesha-Dixon-join-Britains-Got-Talent-Simon-Cowell-David-Walliams-Amanda-Holden.html|publisher= Daily Mail |title=How Simon Cowell lured Alesha from Strictly with a £350k pay packet: Dixon announced as new judge on Britain's Got Talent|date=3 January 2012|accessdate=9 January 2012|location=London
Artistry
Musical style
When Dixon first emerged into the public spotlight with Mis-Teeq , she was primarily the group's MC , whilst band-mate Sabrina Washington usually sang lead vocals on the records. Washington encouraged her to rap from the band's inception, saying: "When she started she was a bit shy, but I always said that it adds something, an element of difference. It was the first time I'd ever heard a woman MC and I was like, 'Alesha, you have got to do that,' and she was like 'No Bri, don’t make me look stupid'".harvnb|Tripp|2009|p=29 However, when she began her solo career her first UK album, The Alesha Show , saw Dixon undergo a genre -shift. The album featured no rapping and was primarily pop music|pop , unlike Mis-Teeq's music, which focused mainly on UK garage|garage and Contemporary R& B|R& B . Dixon commented that the record consisted of "a lot more guitar-written songs with pop produced around it". Upon the release of The Entertainer (Alesha Dixon album)|The Entertainer Dixon stated that she had began rapping on her records again, saying "I think this album is the one people expected me to do when I left Mis-Teeq, it's a lot tougher and I'm MC-ing again".cite news|url= http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/08/02/no-headline-115875-22459202/|publisher= Daily Mirror |first=|last=| title=Alesha Dixon is happy being single but wouldn't turn down the right man if he came around|date=2 August 2010|accessdate=1 February 2012
Dixon, a songwriter and singer, often writes or co-writes her own records. Discussing the writing process of The Alesha Show she said, "I've written the majority of it and I co-write as well with a lot of people". Critics have suggested some of her songs are autobiographical, such as " To Love Again (song)|To Love Again " (2009), co-written with Gary Barlow and John Shanks . Alison Maloney of The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun said the ballad was "clearly about finding romance in the wake of her public split from husband Harvey".cite news| url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/music/2686094/Alesha-learns-To-Love-Again.html | location=London | work=The Sun | first=Alison | last=Maloney | title=Alesha learns To Love Again | date=16 October 2009|accessdate=1 February 2012Barlow stated that Dixon has "a natural musical talent to not only perform but also create",Cite news|author=Kim Dawson|url= http://www.dailystar.co.uk/playlist/view/100194/Alesha-s-my-No-1-says-Gary-/|publisher= Daily Star |title=Exclusive: Alesha's my No1 says Gary|date=24 September 2009|accessdate=1 February 2012 also adding: "she wrote the lyrics really quickly and they seemed very real. I didn't really know she was such a good songwriter".Cite news|author=|url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2654024/Alesha-Dixons-a-bit-of-all-write.html|publisher= The Sun |title=Exclusive: Alesha's a bit of all write|date=25 September 2009|accessdate=1 February 2012 Vocally, reviewer Andy Gill of The Independent suggested that Dixon's vocal strengths lie with more up-tempo songs, saying "the problem is that her bubbly personality (and voice) is simply not as well suited to ballads as to perky dancefloor anthems".Cite news|author=Andy Gill|url= http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-alesha-dixon-the-alesha-show-ndash-encore-asylum-1824450.html|publisher= The Independent |title=Album: Alesha Dixon, The Alesha Show - Encore (Asylum)|date=20 November 2009|accessdate=1 February 2012 However, The Guardian 's Caroline Sullivan complemented her live vocals whilst reviewing her tour, The Alesha Show (tour)|The Alesha Show . She said, of her concert tour, that "it was her singing that made the impression: she's more powerful than you would imagine, and when pitted against her band at their most blaring, she more than held her own. While this was going on, she was being flung between two male hoofers, proving, if nothing else, that pop stars who claim they can't dance and sing simultaneously just aren't trying".cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|date=13 November 2009|title=Alesha Dixon Shepherd's Bush Empire, London |publisher= The Guardian |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/13/alesha-dixon-review|accessdate=1 February 2012
Influences
Dixon has often cited Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna as an influence, saying "Madonna is a big idol. I loved her when I was a young girl and I feel like I've been on a musical journey with her".harvnb|Tripp|2009|p=18 Dixon's single " Let's Get Excited " namechecked the singer and her 1985 single " Into the Groove ". Furthermore, the music video featured what Dixon described as "a Madonna tribute"Cite news|author=Jennifer Gannon|url= http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/leisure/music/interviews/4290473.Alesha_Dixon/|publisher= Knutsford Guardian |title=Alesha Dixon|date=14 April 2009|accessdate=11 January 2012 featuring voguing throughout. Growing up, the first record Dixon ever bought was " Push It (Salt-n-Pepa song)|Push It " by the hip hop group Salt-n-Pepa ; she remarked "I didn't understand what they were talking about at the time ... They were raw and did their own thing, and I loved that. I love artists who don't conform to what people expect of them".Cite news|author=Andrew Williams|url= http://www.metro.co.uk/music/848272-alesha-dixon-i-love-ann-widdecombe-on-strictly-come-dancing|publisher= Metro |title=Alesha Dixon: I want to duet with Take That and Rihanna |date=24 November 2010|accessdate=11 January 2012
Despite growing up in the predominantly white area of Welwyn Garden City , Hertfordshire , Dixon's father Melvin would take her to the Notting Hill Carnival in London to allow her to experience some of her Jamaican heritage.harvnb|Tripp|2009|p=22 The music she would heard at influenced her tastes, as she commented: "all the dancehall records I saved up to buy – Shabba Ranks , Buju Banton – I heard them at Notting Hill". Other major influences come from Lauryn Hill , with Rebecca Hardy of the Daily Mail commenting that after the breakdown of Dixon's marriage, "music, particularly Lauryn Hill's debut Grammy award-winning album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill , helped her through her deepest despair".cite news|author=Rebecca Hardy |url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1137278/Strictly-winner-Alesha-Dixon-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-shes-rebuilt-life-divorce.html|title=Strictly winner Alesha Dixon on her obsessive-compulsive disorder and how she's rebuilt her life after her divorce|work=Daily Mail |location=London |date=6 February 2009 |accessdate=18 February 2009 Dixon stated that "her album teaches you how to shed everything you've been programmed to think and start again". When asked during an interview who her favourite songwriter was, Dixon replied: "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".Cite news|author=|url= http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/news_blogs/email_updates/interviews/alesha_dixon|publisher=National Literacy Trust |title=Alesha Dixon|date=|accessdate=11 January 2012Dixon has also named Neneh Cherry as great influence upon her. Cherry, a mixed race singer, inspired her from an early age, with Dixon saying, "I remember seeing Neneh Cherry on the TV when I was little and turning to my mum and saying, 'Mummy, she looks like me'".harvnb|Tripp|2009|p=89
Philanthropy
Quote box|width=220px|align=right|quote="There are so many things you could reel off as negatives with regards to fame – your private life is exposed, every move is scrutinised — at the same time, you can think: 'Wow, I'm in a position to shine a light into these areas.' That's a powerful tool because, actually, it's quite a selfish job. It's a moral responsibility, I guess, I think I have."|source=—Dixon, when asked whether celebrities have a responsibility to do good works.cite news|author=Elizabeth Day |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/oct/10/alesha-dixon-strictly-come-dancing|title=Alesha Dixon: 'There's nothing I can't do'|work=The Observer |location=London |date=10 October 2010 |accessdate=19 January 2011 Dixon has described herself and other celebrities as having a "moral responsibility" to do good works, when asked by The Observer 's Elizabeth Day. Speaking in August 2010 to Blues & Soul Dixon said: "Being in the entertainment industry I do feel I have a responsibility that comes with my fame". http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/581/alesha_dixon_diverse_diva/ Alesha interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' September 2010
In 2009 Alesha climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania for Comic Relief . Joining her on the climb were Girls Aloud members Cheryl Cole and Kimberley Walsh , Ben Shephard , Ronan Keating , Fearne Cotton , Denise Van Outen , Chris Moyles and Gary Barlow , who had spearheaded the project.cite news|author=Lizzie Smith |url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1160068/On-world-Joy-Cheryl-Alesha-reach-summit-Mount-Kilimanjaro.html |title=On top of the world: Joy as Cheryl, Alesha and co reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro & #124; Mail Online |work=Daily Mail |location=London |date=3 July 2009 |accessdate=12 July 2009 Together they raised over £3,500,000 towards helping combat malaria in Tanzania.cite news|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8387848.stm |title=Fearne Cotton and Kimberley Walsh return to Africa |publisher=BBC News |date=1 December 2009 |accessdate=1 December 2009 Upon their return, the entire team met Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street .cite web|author=Post to: |url= http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2009/03/15/tea-with-pm-for-kilimanjaro-nine-115875-21200451/ |title=Tea with PM for Kilimanjaro nine |work=Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=15 March 2009 |accessdate=12 July 2009 In June 2009 Dixon became an official ambassador for the charity Help a London Child, stating that she felt "very honoured" to be asked.cite web|author= |url= http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/alesha-dixon/news/alesha-dixon-becomes-ambassador-help-london-child/|title=Alesha becomes ambassador for Help a London Child|work=Capital FM|date=|accessdate=1 February 2012
Dixon is a patron of the African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT)cite web|url= http://www.blackmentalhealth.org.uk/index.php? option=com_content& task=view& id=434& Itemid=117 |title=Black Mental Health UK – African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, Gift of Life Week from 15 – 21 September |publisher=Blackmentalhealth.org.uk |accessdate=12 July 2009 which is a voluntary charity, whose main aim is to increase the number of Black and Mixed Parentage people on the UK Bone Marrow Register. The members of the ACLT freely volunteer their time in attempting to raise awareness in the Black community; enabling potential donors to come forward and be involved in the process of offering hope and a healthy future to someone whose disorder may otherwise prove fatal. Dixon has also backed Nickelodeon UK|Nickelodeon's See Something, Say Something campaign, a UK anti-bullying initiative.cite web|url= http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/alesha-dixon/news/39396-alesha-fronts-nickelodeon-bullying-campaign |title=Alesha Fronts Nickelodeon Bullying campaign... & #124; Alesha Dixon & #124; News & #124; MTV UK |publisher=Mtv.co.uk |date=1 October 2006 |accessdate=12 July 2009 Alesha said: "Nickelodeon's See Something, Say Something campaign is extremely close to my heart, so I felt compelled to show my support. I was bullied as a child and know how important it is to tell someone about it".cite web|url= http://aleshadixon.net/blog/? page_id=61 |title=Aleshadixon.Net |publisher=Aleshadixon.Net |accessdate=12 July 2009Dixon is Vice President of the League Against Cruel Sports , a charity which works to end cruelty to animals in the name of sport and featured in a charity appeal due to concerns that the Hunting Act 2004 could be repealed.cite web|url= http://www.league.org.uk/news/1020/alesha-appeal|title=Alesha Dixon launches League appeal |publisher= League Against Cruel Sports |date=18 October 2011|accessdate=1 February 2012
Other ventures
Presenting
Dixon has also presented many well-known shows in the UK, such as the MOBO Awards , CD:UK , ITV2 's coverage of The Brit Awards and presented the Live From the Red Carpet show at the 62nd British Academy Film Awards for E! .cite web|url= http://www.celebsource.org/alesha-dixon/alesha-dixon-2009-british-academy-film-awards/ |title=Alesha Dixon @ 2009 British Academy Film Awards & #124; Celebrity News & Pictures |publisher=Celebsource.org |date=9 February 2009 |accessdate=12 July 2009 She has also been a guest on BBC One 's current affairs programme This Week (BBC One TV series)|This Week on two occasions, in November 2006 and December 2007. In 2009 it was reported that Dixon was in talks with television companies about a possible chatshow.cite web|url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a157395/alesha-dixon-to-host-new-chatshow.html |title=Television – News – Alesha Dixon to host new chatshow |publisher=Digital Spy |date=28 May 2009 |accessdate=12 July 2009 In 2008 and 2009 she co-presented Children in Need alongside Terry Wogan and Tess Daly .
She returned to present the telethon in 2011 alongside Fearne Cotton , Tess Daly and Terry Wogan .
In March 2010, she presented the Mister World 2010 pageant, which took place in Incheon , Korea .
2010: The Entertainer (Alesha Dixon album)|The Entertainer
Tours
col-begincol-2;Headlining act
2009: The Alesha Show (tour)|The Alesha Show cite news|url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2428259/Alesha-Dixon-shows-off-her-legs-in-sexy-snap.html |title=Alesha Dixon shows off her legs in sexy snap & #124; The Sun & #124;Showbiz& #124;Bizarre |publisher=The Sun |date=14 May 2009 |accessdate=12 July 2009 |location=London
col-2 ;Supporting act
2009: Enrique Iglesias UK Tourcite web|url= http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/entertainment-chester/2009/05/14/dance-star-alesha-dixon-hits-the-pop-trail-59067-23614131/ |title=Dance star Alesha Dixon hits the pop trail |publisher=Chester Chronicle |date=14 May 2009 |accessdate=12 July 2009
Citation |title=Alesha Dixon: Her Story – The Unauthorized Biography|last=Tripp |first=Anna |year=2009 |publisher= Michael O'Mara Books|Michael O'Mara Books Ltd |isbn=978-1-84317-443-1
Refend
External links
Wikiquote|Alesha DixonCommons category
Official website| http://www.aleshadixon.com
http://www.warnermusic.com.au/alesha-dixon Official Australian website
IMDb name|1212791|Alesha Dixon
s-startsuccession box|title= Strictly Come Dancing Champion (with partner Matthew Cutler ) |years=Series 5 (2007) |before= Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy |after= Tom Chambers (actor)|Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup s-endAlesha DixonMis-TeeqBritain's Got TalentStrictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing Series 5 Persondata | NAME = Dixon, Alesha | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = Singer, songwriter, model, dancer, | DATE OF BIRTH = 7 October 1978 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Welwyn Garden City , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH =
DEFAULTSORT:Dixon, Alesha Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Asylum Records artists Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:British female singers Category:British people of Jamaican descent Category:British rhythm and blues singers Category:Black British singers Category:Female rappers
Category:Mis-Teeq members Category:Musicians from Hertfordshire Category:People from Welwyn Garden City Category:Strictly Come Dancing judges Category:Strictly Come Dancing winners