February 10th: Today’s Feature

February

Michelle Antoinette Wallen MBE (born 27 April 1969), known professionally as Mica Paris, is an English singer, presenter and actress.

She was born in Islington in North London, but moved to Brockley, South London, when she was nine. In 1988, she released her debut album, So Good, which spawned singles including "My One Temptation" and "Where Is the Love". She has since gone on to release seven further albums: Contribution (1990), Whisper a Prayer (1993), Black Angel (1998), If You Could Love Me (2005), Soul Classics (2005), Born Again (2009) and Gospel (2020). In 2020, Paris was cast in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Ellie Nixon.

Music

Paris grew up singing in her grandparents' church, and by her mid-teens was making regular appearances with the Spirit of Watts gospel choir (with whom she featured on the 1985 EP Gospel Joy).  At the age of 17, she became a backing vocalist with the UK band Hollywood Beyond. Paris appeared on their album If (1985). In 1988, she released her debut and platinum-selling album So Good with 4th & Broadway when she was 19 years old. "My One Temptation" was the lead single. This led to a collaboration with American soul singer Will Downing on a cover version of a classic "Where Is the Love", made famous by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack in the early 1970s.

Paris went on to lend her voice to Walt Disney Pictures (Touchstone Pictures) soundtrack for High Heels and Low Lifes, which was later included in the Primal Screen soundtrack compilation album (2001).

Mica Paris, a well-known figure since her teenage years, experienced a rapid rise to fame as a singer. Unfortunately, this success came at a cost as she felt subject to the pressure of media harassment with it’s pressure to conform to society's unrealistic beauty standards. This led to an unhealthy obsession with her appearance, causing her to engage in years of dieting, poor eating habits, and overall unhappiness. However, a pivotal moment of crisis forced her to re-evaluate her life and recognise the need for change.

Mica strongly believes that the media plays a significant role in perpetuating negative self-image among women. She criticises the constant bombardment of damaging messages that promote the pursuit of a size zero figure, the fear of aging, the pressure to undergo cosmetic surgery, and an insatiable desire for material possessions. She questions why our society idolises individuals struggling with anorexia and drug addiction, rather than celebrating true role models. Mica emphasises the importance of finding genuine happiness, standing firm in our own identities, and taking pride in who we are.

In her book, "BEAUTIFUL WITHIN," Mica shares her personal journey of shifting her focus from being thin to being fit. She discusses the adjustments she made and the positive habits she cultivated, such as incorporating moderate exercise into her routine and rejecting restrictive diets. Mica also highlights the transformative power of changing her outlook on life, which has allowed her to find strength and inspiration from her spirituality. This newfound sense of optimism has played a crucial role in her overall well-being.

Mica's extraordinary talents go well beyond her exceptional singing abilities, as she has garnered acclaim and excelled in a multitude of domains including television, theatre, and writing. With her remarkable skills showcased across these diverse fields, Mica continues to inspire us all as a true, all-round role model. Her relentless pursuit of new conquests leaves us awe-inspired.

Charity work

Mica Paris has contributed to various charitable causes. She designed a pillow-case for ByteNight, a charity event aimed at raising funds for the NCH and youth homelessness. Mica is actively involved in the Space For Music project, which focuses on renovating Band on the Wall, a venue owned by Inner City Music Ltd, a registered charity. Additionally, she serves as an Ambassador for The Amy Winehouse Foundation and has performed at numerous fundraising events, including their 2012 Ball. Mica is also lending her support to the "No Means No" campaign, an initiative promoting anti-rape and gender equality, initiated by EuroWeekly News, the largest free local newspaper for English expats in Spain.

Accolades

In 2003, Paris was presented with the Gold Badge Award by the Ivors Academy for her special contribution to the British entertainment industry.

In 2004 she was in the Top 10 list of the 100 Great Black Britons, which was compiled to celebrate the achievements and contributions made by the British Black community over the centuries.

Recognising her significant contributions to music, entertainment, and charity, Mica Paris was honoured with the prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours List. This recognition serves as a testament to her dedication and impact in these fields, further solidifying her status as a respected figure in the industry.

Personal life

As a child, Paris experienced teasing because of her name "Michelle" which was associated with Susan Tully's character in EastEnders. This led her to adopt the nickname "Mica" both personally and professionally.

Paris has two daughters, Monet (b. 1991, with her former Irish husband[ and Russia-Mae (b. June 2006, from her previous relationship with German film director Andreas Neumann). Paris is a close friend of American singer Chaka Khan. The two, first met while both performing at the Royal Albert Hall, Khan is Godmother to Paris' eldest daughter.

Mica Paris & Michelle Tully

Paris' sister, Paula Wallen, was also a pop music singer, and she is the cousin of boxer Chris Eubank. Paris has been an ambassador of the Metropolitan Police's Operation Trident since 2001, when her brother was shot dead while at work.