Rap sensation Honey G first shot to fame back in 2016 when she appeared on The X Factor.
Auditioning with her now-iconic take on Missy Elliot’s Work It, the star certainly got the judges and viewers at home talking.
The London native was famously known for donning massive shades, a metallic tracksuit and bold jewellery, as well as her legendary chant: “When you say Honey, I say G.”
READ MORE: X Factor winner James Arthur’s life – sex addiction, Rita Ora regret and trolling hell
Despite being branded a “novelty act” on the ITV singing competition, Honey G, real name Anna Gilford, had the last laugh.
The music star not only came in fifth place, but she also bagged a record deal with show mogul Simon Cowell’s record label Syco – releasing her debut track The Honey G Show.
And now, seven years on and Honey G looks worlds away from the outlandish rapper that strutted on the X Factor stage.
So as the music star turns 42 today (March 12), Daily Star is taking a look inside her remarkable life.
Major weight loss
(Image: Channel 5)
In December 2021, Honey revealed she lost two stone during the coronavirus pandemic.
Showing off her incredible physique in a series of photos, the star gleamed as she confessed that she was now a size 12.
In 2020, she also shared a glimpse of her new physique while wearing a skintight leotard after she completed a triathlon, which consisted of a 750m swim, a 20km cycle and a 5km run.
Speaking to the Daily Star about her incredible weight loss journey, the rapper admitted that she now has a newfound confidence.
She expressed: “The weight loss has definitely given me the confidence to put myself out there.
“I’ve always had a bit of a complex about my weight and now I can shop in the likes of Topshop and Miss Selfridge.
“I used to be Size 16 to 18 but I recently bought a pair of size 12 trousers which feels so good.”
Honey has continued to keep her fans updated on her weight loss journey on social media.
Shock career change
Despite finding fame on the hit show, in 2018 she swapped out her showbiz career for a job as an estate agent for an upmarket North London agency.
But according to Honey G, she was forced to choose between her love of hip-hop and the job.
This was because bosses feared the “negative press” could damage the company’s reputation.
“My boss had told me that he was expecting me to give up my music career which I am obviously not prepared to do,” she told The Sun.
“It’s a shame and I feel they wasted all of my time. They should have done their research before employing me so they knew what they were getting into.
“Anyone who would consider employing someone who has a profile like me should really think about what they’re doing and what their intentions are before they sign them up to the company. There are benefits to working with a celebrity.”
However, she claimed she managed to make more cash from music than from her 9 to 5 job and got back to her career in music.
Car hijack sexual assault
Honey G bravely spoke out to the Daily Star about overcoming a terrifying ordeal that left her contemplating taking her own life.
Honey G revealed she had gone through treatment after being attacked in 2004 whilst she was studying at university and running her own club night in Manchester, dedicated to promoting black female talent.
The TV personality was car-jacked, kidnapped and sexually assaulted 17 years ago and a man was subsequently convicted for the crime.
The police were able to convict the man without her being present in court as they had enough evidence.
Exclusively speaking to the Daily Star, she said: “I still suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and I did go through a rough time and it has affected me and [my confidence/self-esteem] since.”
“But I have overcome the dark period of my life after speaking to people, getting help and attending DBT sessions.
“My DBT therapist has said that I don’t need to attend the sessions anymore and I am in a much better place in my life.
“I never acted on it but I did suffer with suicidal thoughts so I want to let people know that I have been down but you can come out of it alive.”
Tragic family death
Honey G’s mental health also spiralled following the death of her beloved grandma, who was the rapper’s inspiration behind entering the singing competition.
“I suffered suicidality after my grandma’s death but it was following her death I was inspired to enter X Factor as weeks before she died she told me she wanted me to be a famous music artist.”
Honey G, who comes from a musical background, admitted that starring on The X Factor brought back her confidence and passion for music despite being labelled a “joke” and “novelty act” by trolls.
The Honey G Show hitmaker also confessed that the team at Simon Cowell’s talent show were “amazing” and were on hand to offer their expert advice.
“The welfare producer at The X Factor was there to look after all the contestants and I really couldn’t fault the team behind the scenes,” she said.
“I did receive some negative comments during my time on the show but it never got me down as the public kept me in for eight weeks consecutively.
“I have been through so much, so I just ignored the hate.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
