The presenter is taking to the dance ground later this 12 months (Picture: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2021 followers are trying ahead to seeing AJ Odudu within the ballroom this 12 months, and it seems they’re fortunate to be seeing her in any respect.
The presenter has revealed that she almost stop TV endlessly after being subjected to vile abuse on social media following her breakthrough appearances on Big Brother’s Bit On The Side.
The 33-year-old stated that being labelled ‘the black girl with the dodgy accent’ left her traumatised, and getting ready to leaving the trade.
The abuse she obtained for her accent was so dangerous, in actual fact, that Channel 4 beneficial that she sought out elocution classes to ‘soften’ her voice.
‘It was brilliant but with that exposure comes a lot of pressure and a lot of criticism,’ AJ stated about getting began within the trade.
‘I remember people tweeting, “Who is that black girl with that dodgy accent” and, “Why does she sound like that?” That made me feel so insecure (because) people were commenting on things I had no real control over,’ she advised the Nobody Told Me podcast.
‘And it didn’t assist that somebody internally stated, “AJ, we think you should get some help with your voice. Maybe you can speak clearer and we could soften your accent”.’
The presenter went on to say: ‘All of my insecurities were being reinforced by the team that were meant to be supporting me. Then, when my contract wasn’t renewed, that was powerful.
‘TV is one of those industries where you don’t actually get advised why one thing hasn’t labored out.’
She added: ‘So you are left wondering, “Was it my accent? Was it the way I looked?” I didn’t work in TV for years after. It was so traumatic.’
AJ additionally stated: ‘It felt like it wasn’t my accent that was the issue, it was my accent and my look mixed. Kind of like, “We can deal with a Northern accent but not a Northern accent on a black woman”.’
‘Looking back, I’m so proud I’ve managed to return this far by staying true to myself and never altering. Keeping my accent, conserving my opinions, conserving my voice.’
AJ is a TV presenter best-known for starring on Big Brother’s Bit on the Side with Rylan Clark-Neal and Emma Willis in 2013.
She went on to current Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Psych, earlier than presenting backstage for The Voice UK and The Voice Kids.
The presenter was one of many first three contestants of Strictly 2021 to be introduced, with McFly musician Tom Fletcher and comic Robert Webb. Great British Bake Off’s John Whaite and CBBC star Rhys Stephenson have additionally joined the line-up.
Credit: Original article published here.You can learn this put up on My Celebrity Life.