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Alesha Anjanette Dixon (born 7 October 1978 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire), known by her first name Alesha, is an English singer, MC, songwriter, occasional model and television personality. A former member of UK girl band, Mis-Teeq, she was expected to have her solo debut album Fired Up released in 2007, now delayed until 2008 with the addition of new material.

Biography

Alesha is one of seven children born to an English mother and Jamaican father. Dixon's career began in 1999 when she met Sabrina Washington when they both joined Dance Attic (a popular hip-hop/jazz dance academy in West London), and together they formed a duo and recorded a demo titled Inspiration. During an audition, they met with Su-Elise Nash, and then 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 / R&B girl band, Mis-Teeq.

Music career

Mis-Teeq

Mis-Teeq released their debut single "Why?" in 2000, and it was not long before McNally left the band to pursue her own solo career. The band made a decision to remain a trio. In 2001, they released their debut album Lickin' On Both Sides, featuring hits "All I Want", "One Night Stand", "B With Me" and doube-A-single "Roll On/This Is How We Do It". After the success of their debut album, 2003 saw Mis-Teeq becoming the faces of JD Sports stores nationwide.

In 2003, Mis-teeq released their second album Eye Candy, which included the singles "Scandalous", "Can't Get It Back" and "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 was shut down and the band was left with no choice but to have released a Greatest Hits compilation right under exclusive licenses with Universal Records.

The last song Dixon recorded with Mis-Teeq was 'Shoo Shoo Baby' for the Disney film Valiant. In March 2005, their Greatest Hits compilation was released and it was announced that they were separating to pursue solo careers.

Solo career

Alesha announced that she was signed with a ₤500,000 contract deal with Polydor Records. She spent an entire year preparing for her solo debut album, 'Fired Up', working with a wide range of producers including Richard X, Xenomania, Johnny Douglas, Brian Higgins, Estelle and Paul Epworth.

In June 2005, she announced her first solo single to be "Superficial", however at last minute, the song "Lipstick" was chosen as the first single. "Lipstick" was released on August 14 2006, and charted at #14 on the UK Single Charts. She released her second single "Knockdown" on October 30 2006 which charted at #25 on the UK Download Chart. But, on the official UK Singles Charts, the single peaked to #45, on the second week, but falling down to #68 the third week.

On November 6, 2006, fansite AleshaDixon.Net revealed that Dixon had left Polydor Records. Polydor Records is willing to support her regardless of the fact of her departure, and even gave Dixon full rights to her unreleased debut album, Fired Up.

Alesha has recently posted a message on her MySpace page saying that she is "...currently...in the studio making a fresh album due for release in 2008." She adds that "It's going to be fantastic, I can't wait for you to hear it!"

Modelling and television appearances

As a model Dixon is represented by Select Model Management and has appeared in Another magazine, on the cover of Tense magazine and in various other Editorial fashion shoots. Dixon was cast as the lead female in the video clip for "She Wants to Move" by N*E*R*D after Pharrell Williams spotted her on the cover of FHM magazine. Dixon has been featured in the publications annual 100 sexiest women in the world poll on a number of occasions.

In March 2007, Dixon was announced as the face of the urban clothing brand Ecko Red. In 2002 Dixon presented The MOBO Awards with LL Cool J and in 2005 she guest-presented CD: UK on a number of occasions. In 2007, Dixon has been seen as as one of the presenters of ITV2's coverage of The Brit Awards, the host of The nation's favourite number 1 men for VH1, as a guest presenter on Channel 4's early morning music programme Freshly squeezed. In March 2007, she was unveiled as the face of the Urban clothing line Eko Red.

Dixon is currently appearing as a contestant on the 2007 series of Strictly Come Dancing with professional dance partner Matthew Cutler. In addition, she has become a regular guest on BBC1's [[This_Week_%2

Personal life

In summer of 2005, Alesha married her long-time fiancé MC Harvey, formerly of So Solid Crew.

In November 2006, UK newspaper The Sun stated Harvey started an alleged affair with fellow The Games contestant and West End stage star Javine Hylton, a friend of Alesha's. The pair were caught by Javine's boyfriend, Karl 'K-Gee' Gordon, who phoned Alesha - moved out of the house she shared with Harvey. The couple soon split and Harvey moved out of the marital home which he shared with Alesha.

In July 2007 Reveal magazine reported that Alesha has been dating Neptunes & N*E*R*D star Pharrell Williams. The pair met in 2005 when Willams chose her to star in his video for the single She Wants To Move. Alesha has since denied this, stating they have met just once since the video was made.

In October 2007 the Mirror newspaper claimed Alesha is dating James Chandler, winner of a male modelling competition. Although according to .

Discography

Albums

• Fired Up (2006)
• TBA (2008)

Singles

References

1. http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2006510402,00.html
2. http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=vip--harvey-s-keen-to-wed-javine--&method=full&objectid=19205280&siteid=93463-name_page.html
3. ContactMusic.com
4. Alesha and Matt Tango Retrieved on 4-11-07 Source:The People

External links

• Official Alesha Dixon Website
• Template:Myspace
• Please use a more specific IMDb template. See the documentation for available templates.

• 1978 births
• Living people
• People from Welwyn Garden City
• Jamaican-English people
• English female singers
• English hip hop musicians
• English rappers
• English rhythm and blues musicians
• Members of girl groups
• Strictly Come Dancing participants