Bradford-born popstar Kimberley Walsh is on the verge of releasing her first book – A Whole Lot of History.
The former Girls Aloud member is now focusing on her own career after a starring role in West End smash Shrek The Musical and appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
Kimberley also released her first solo album, Centre Stage, in February this year and performed with Girls Aloud’s on their final tour.
Asian Sunday caught up with Kimberley as fans up and down the country anticipate the release of the stars autobiography.
How did writing this book come about? Is it always something you wanted to do?
No not really. There was never a real desire to write a book but I was given an opportunity and I felt the time was right. If there was ever a time to write a book, it was now. It is the end of an era after finishing with girls and I was worried if I did not do it now, I would be too old to remember everything (laughs). I am just so glad I have got it all down now as it will be good for me to look back on.
Where does your book start?
The book starts right back to my childhood in Bradford. Some people may not know but I started in entertainment at a young age. I had my first TV part at five so I have always been in the business. I hope my story will inspire young people who want to be in this industry and show them what it takes.
You have showcased a number of different talents throughout the years, how did writing compare to anything you have done before?
It was very different but it came at the perfect time. I had just finished one of the most intense work schedules with the reunion stuff with the girls, my solo career and Strictly Come Dancing. I was working a crazy amount of hours. Once the reunion had finished, I had some free time, which I don’t get to appreciate as often. But I was still disciplined with myself, I kept making sure I did a certain amount of words every week as I wanted this to be the best book that I could write.
How have your friends and family reacted to the book? Did it reveal anything they didn’t know about you?
They have really enjoyed it. It has been really nostalgic for them and even though they know me quite well, they still said ‘oh I didn’t know you were experiencing that’ or that is the way you feeling. But everyone has said they are really happy with the book and that is something that really pleases me as I wanted all my friends and family to be comfortable with it.
A lot of talk before the release of the book has been comments of your relationship with Nadine Coyle and Sarah Harding, do you think that has been blown out of proportion?
You always know that the national’s will pick on something like that. I was very honest in writing this book. Basically what I said there was you work with people, whether that be in a group or an office, and a still have a lot of love for Nadine and Sarah but my choice to socialise with is Nicola and Cheryl. It is just the way the press have serialised it. When you are thrown into a group with four other girls, you get to know them and care about them but it is just like at anyone else’s work. What I have written about this is not a big deal. I just hope fans read the book and then they will see that.
As I said before, a lot of negativity has been focused in the press, but the book must have brought back some really good memories. What is your favourite part of the book?
I really like the first few chapters as they are of my childhood. From the first moment I realised I could sing and when I was practicing with my brothers and sisters. There is also climbing Mount Kilimanjaro which was a great experience and was good fun with Cheryl. Then we have working in Shrek on the West End and Strictly Come Dancing which was great. There are some really uplifting parts of the book. It’s a very warm read.
You are coming to Bradford to do a signing, I guess it was important for you to return to your hometown, are you excited for this?
That is what these signings are all about. It is very fitting to back where it all started. Yorkshire people, especially from Bradford, will be able to relate to my upbringing and I really hope this book will be an inspiration to the young people from there.
Nominations for the Bradford Inspirational Women’s Awards are opening soon, we would like to know who is your most inspirational women?
For me, I think Beyonce is the perfect inspiration. She just ticks every box, she is performer, producer, choreography, businesswoman. I just think she has done some really fantastic work and is a great role model for people.
Now the book is finished and will be released soon, what is next for you?
Honestly, I don’t know. This is the first time in ten years where I have not been working as crazy. I think for the first time I might sit back and enjoy it. There have been a few TV ideas, films and shows floating around but I just don’t know what I would like to sink my teeth into yet.
Kimberley will be signing copies of her new book from 12pm on September 25 at Morrisons, Enterprise 5, 275 Bradford Road, Idle, BD10 8EG. A Whole Lot Of History will be released nationwide on September 26.
