Kimberley Walsh: The brutal reality of 2000s body shaming in Girls Aloud

Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh talks about becoming a step mum at 23, how Sarah Harding’s death gave her health anxiety, how she coped with weight jibes in Girls Aloud and why she is launching her own beauty range. Second Act is the podcast and community for women in midlife who refuse to fade into the background. Join host, midlifer, mum-of-two and divorcee Ateh Jewel as she navigates her own second act by speaking to celebrity guests about what age means to them, and how they're approaching this new phase of life. If you've got a question or dilemma you'd like Ateh, her celebrity guests and experts to answer, drop her a line at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and make sure to tune in to hear the answer. From HELLO! magazine Producer: Millie Jackson Editor: Juliet Walsh Executive producer: Danielle Lawler Follow @hellomag on Instagram and watch all new episodes on HELLO! magazine's YouTube channel. Chapters: 00:36 – The Three Words: Resilience, Music, and Family 01:06 – Starting at Age 5: Rejection, Auditions, and Grit 04:40 – Growing Up in a Musical Family & Finding Her Voice 08:39 – The 2000s Pop Explosion: 10 Rooms, Westlife & Wild Nights 11:42 – Fame at 20: Navigating Paparazzi Before Social Media 13:39 – Confronting 2000s Media Body Shaming & Toxic Diets 16:23 – Crazy Schedules: 4 AM Wake-Ups and Photo Shoots 18:00 – Meeting Justin Scott at 23 & Becoming a Step-Mom 23:15 – Becoming a First-Time Mom at 33: Needing a Village 26:08 – Losing Sarah Harding: Grief, Health Anxiety, and Legacy 29:10 – Reframing Aging: Why Every Birthday Is a Privilege 30:50 – The Girls Aloud WhatsApp Group & Growing Together 33:30 – West End, Strictly Come Dancing, and Live TV Presenting 37:05 – First Jobs: From Freezer Cleaning to Financial Freedom 38:42 – Skincare, Hydration, and Loving the Body You Have 46:54 – Early Perimenopause, Hormones, and Irritability 50:20 – Advice to Her Younger Self: "Stop Letting People Change Your Mind" 54:48 – Advice for Listener Linda: Coping with Raw Grief and Loss Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices