MUM'S THE WORD
SINGER Nadine Coyle loves her other role as a devoted mother – but if you call her a single mum she will not be happy.
The pop star, 34, prefers just “mum” because she is nailing it alone and does not need her relationship status pointed out, which could suggest successful parenting depends on having a partner.
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Nadine, one of the members of Noughties band Girls Aloud, is mum to five-year-old Anaíya and shares custody of her daughter with ex-fiancé Jason Bell, with whom she had an on and off relationship for more than 11 years.
Nadine, who is supporting Fabulous’s Mum Of The Year competition, says: “I’m not a single mum, I am just a mum.
“As a woman I think we are capable of doing so many things.
"There is great ability to compartmentalise — to focus on the task at hand, do it well and then move on to the next one, while having another million things going on.”
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It is hard to believe Nadine, with her immaculate make-up and hair, has ever found motherhood a struggle.
She admits: “It’s difficult and there are times when you are like, ‘That’s it’.
“Some days I am fine but us mums are not robots, we are not perfect, we have to give ourselves a break and a pat on the back.”
Nadine fell in love with former American pro footballer Jason in 2008 after relocating to Los Angeles two years earlier.
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At the time, she was still a member of Girls Aloud but her singing talent was often overlooked in favour of reports of a fierce feud with bandmate Cheryl.
Nadine has previously said: “There was no falling out, there was just no friendship to begin with.”
In LA, she carved out a life for herself with a hunky, famous man on her arm.
After just two years together, Jason, 41, popped the question and following a brief split in 2010, the couple had their daughter four years later.
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But the pair called it quits for good in 2019 after declaring they had become more friends than lovers, but have continued on good terms.
In fact things are so good between them that the ex-American footballer moved to the UK where Nadine now lives again — and she has not ruled out a reconciliation in the future.
Asked if they might get back together, she playfully protests in that famous Derry accent: “Stop! Jason and I have been on and off, but it’s been a long time.
"I met Jason when I was 22 or 23 and you change a lot in those years.
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"We’re very happily floating along trying to make the most of each day and trying to do our best.”
Discussing how they manage to make it work with their daughter, she reveals: “Anaíya is the priority.
“She knows exactly where she is going to be, she knows exactly what is going on. There are no surprises. I am very thankful of the situation.”
While Anaíya is the most important thing in her life, she does draw the line at giving her daughter any influence over her dating life.
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She says: “If I am consulting a five-year-old about dating then I have serious problems. I should stay in the house and not date again!
“If it became a situation where I was to get married or have someone who would be around in her life, then it would have to be how that relationship works for her.”
Nadine made her showbiz comeback and won over the nation last year when she appeared on I’m A Celebrity.
She impressed with her no-nonsense attitude, natural beauty and bravery — all while away from her daughter for the longest time ever.
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While she travelled a lot for work when her daughter was younger, they have never been apart for more than ten days, so Nadine’s month-long jungle stint was tough.
Nadine says: “It was one of those situations where you want to have a crazy experience.
"I am such an indoor person. I wanted to change that and try to do something new for her so she could see me as this fearless person.”
On top of being a mum, Nadine is releasing new solo music.
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She launched her latest single All That I Know at G-A-Y nightclub in London last weekend, wearing a sexy PVC bodysuit that left little to the imagination.
She says: “Mums don’t get enough recognition or credit for what they do.
“It is often assumed that there is some kind of fairy in the house who makes the food, does the washing and the organising.
“There is not that cheerleader who is bigging people up for doing what seems to be normal tasks but it’s really quite difficult to do on top of everything else.”
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MOST READ IN FABULOUS
And that’s why Nadine is backing our competition.
She says: “It’s so lovely to have Mum Of The Year. There should be Mum Of The Week — and the day.
“Any time mums are getting celebrated, I am right there celebrating.”
Fabulous's Mum Of The Year
DO you know a mum who deserves some extra recognition?
Whether she has overcome adversity, dedicates her life to help children in need, works long hours to support her family or is just an all-round supermum, we want your stories.
Nominate her for our Fabulous Mum Of The Year award and she could win an overnight stay for two at a Champneys spa of her choice.
There are great runners-up prizes, too, including an afternoon tea with bubbles thanks to Buyagift.co.uk.
You could win a Samsung TV or vouchers from Next, Marks & Spencer, F&F at Tesco and George at Asda just for nominating – at thesun.co.uk/fabulousmumoftheyear – before February 24.
I'm A Celebrity's Nadine Coyle, 34, reveals she lives with her mum following split from fiance Jason Bell
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