The fiery fifth of Girls Aloud, 28, reveals her softer side as she talks leaving her reckless alter ego behind, acting aspirations and her secrets to looking beach-ready…
Despite having a reputation as the wild child of Girls Aloud (even though she’s the oldest in the group at 28), Sarah Harding has kept the lowest profile of the all the girls since they announced they were having a break to pursue their own projects in July last year.
So we were excited, if a little bit surprised, when out of the blue we were invited to catch up with her for an exclusive chat. And once we got Sarah started, she didn’t hold back. She was more candid and chatty than ever before, and top of her agenda was revealing the reasons for her radical new look, why she thinks people have got her all wrong, and how she’s now free to show her true colours…
So with your new look and posing with rose petals for our exclusive cover photo – don’t say you’ve gone all Julie Andrews on us?
Ha ha. The whole point of growing my hair was to try to become a little bit more feminine. I just wanted to change how I felt about myself, especially now the band is on a break. It’s the perfect time to rediscover who I am and get my identity back, rather than being a character in a band. So yeah, I think I’m sort of softening up.
You’re portrayed as a party animal, so are you a bit misunderstood?
Yeah, that was kind of my role in the band and, don’t get me wrong, every girl my age likes to go out and party with their friends, but really I’m quite a homebody and I always have been. I’m fine with this wild image, but that’s not what I’m about. I just want to show another side to me, and I think the new look is a much truer reflection of who I really am. I’ve definitely got a girlier side, but not everyone gets to see it. Now they can.
You, a homebody? Get away. Prove it, tell us something about this other side that will surprise your fans…
Don’t laugh, because I sound like an old granny, but I’ve really got into gardening and I’ve been growing my own veggies. I’ve bought these old barrels and I grow organic fruit and veg in them. Garlic, onions, lettuce, carrots, strawberries, raspberries, the lot.
That’s all very Good Life. What’s brought this on?
Living in London and being in the band for seven years, it’s a very fast lifestyle and it takes a lot out of you, so it’s just nice to have a retreat at home (Buckinghamshire). I still come to London quite a bit for work, but I like to have that space and serenity I get in my garden. The veggie growing is a new thing. I started it after watching a TV show about gardening. I’d wanted to start eating more organic stuff and I had the space to grow my own, so I thought why not? But I don’t think you’ll be seeing the Sarah Harding Organic Range Of Vegetables any time soon.
What’s the worst thing the old Sarah did when she was drunk?
Oh, God. I don’t want to talk about that, those days are definitely over.
Your new look is miles away from the clothes you wear on stage with Girls Aloud. Were you happy to look like that, or did you just do as you were told?
Ha! Does anyone really think we did what we were told? We were all so lairy. We all had very different images, and because I had the cropped hair, I had the more edgy outfits. Don’t get me wrong, I still like to wear my leather trousers and rock it up on stage, but off stage I just like wearing stuff like maxi dresses.
Did you ever have costume envy?
I always used to get make-up envy and want my make-up like one of the other girls, and we’d always want what each other was wearing. But at the end of the day, our clothes were chosen because they suited us as individuals and our different shapes, sizes and images. But God no, we’d never be able to swap without our stylists noticing.
What’s the most outrageous costume you’ve ever worn?
The rubber catsuits we had for Sexy! No, No, No. We literally had to lube ourselves up to get into them. It was a special kind of body lube, not KY Jelly! We had to squeeze out all the air bubbles, and we were all corseted up underneath as well. It was like a self-sauna and we probably lost half a stone in sweat – and all the while we had to smile. We might look sexy, but we didn’t always feel sexy.
What’s your next project? Tell us more about rumours of a solo album…
I’m pretty open to a lot of different things, and I’m a bit of a jack-of-all-trades right now. There are ideas and options being looked at, but nothing I can really talk about. Sorry!
After starring in the St Trinian’s films, is acting going to be your new direction?
More acting is definitely in the pipeline. I’ve been to some castings, I went to the Cannes Film Festival, and I’ve had some meetings with producers. But I’m not going to charge in, I’m going for the softly-softly approach. I’d rather do smaller parts that are good than jump in with a lead role, which I probably wouldn’t do justice to.
But look, I’ve never said I’m going to quit singing, acting is something I want to do as well. I want to be an all-rounder and do new things, because I need to keep things interesting. There are so many different Sarahs I want to show. After seven years in Girls Aloud, it’s nice to have diversity now.
Do you think being in the band will make it easier to get more acting roles?
I feel, if anything, it’s harder for me now, because my face is so well known. There’s a lot more for me to prove if I want to move into acting. But it’s something I really want to do, so hopefully, in time, people will adjust to me. I loved being in the St Trinian’s films, especially dressing up as a boy. I don’t think I’d have the face for costume drama, but I’d like to do some of the more sinister bad ass roles, like the ones Grace Jones did. I met her a few years ago on Jonathan Ross’ chat show. She’s lovely, but nuts. I can relate to that.
Talking of showing your softer side, you’re the spokesperson for the new Veet Suprem’ Essence hair removal range. We’re guessing being hair-free has been a priority with some of the more revealing costumes you’ve worn…
As a woman, it’s part of your grooming regime to look after your hairy areas. And this range is extra feminine because of its great smell. But being in a band, a ‘quick fix’ is part of the ritual. I did hair and beauty at college and I remember trying to wax a friend’s eyebrows, and taking half of them off by mistake! But the skill’s come in quite handy now, because I can wax myself.
What’s your bikini wax preference then – a normal wax or a Brazilian?
Oh my God, I can’t believe you’ve asked me that! It’s all down to what kind of undies you’re wearing. If you’re one for the full undie, then a normal wax is fine, but if you like a thong, I’d probably say go for it. Er, let’s just say I’ve had experience of both kinds of undie.
OK, enough, let’s change the subject. Now we know you’re a homebody, what’s a perfect night in with your boyfriend, DJ Tom Crane?
We’re like an old married couple, we’ve been together nearly four years. But the problem is Tom works nights, so a lot of the time we’re like passing ships. If we have a couple of days off we go to The Crazy Bear hotel in Beaconsfield, Bucks, which is really cool. They have crushed velvet on the walls and open fires in the bedrooms, which are all different. So we go and have a nice meal, a hot bath, watch a film and just chill.
MY BODY AND BEAUTY ESSENTIALS
What’s your pre-holiday ritual, and have you ever crash-dieted to get into a bikini?
God, no, I’ve never crash-dieted. I’m quite lucky. Women out there will probably think ‘B*tch!’, but I can eat my body weight in food and get away with it. The only thing I need to keep up is toning. If I’m going on holiday, I have to work up to it to get my body in shape. As I’ve got older I’ve become more health conscious, so although I love my food, I try to eat more healthily and cut down on the carbs. I’m intolerant to wheat, so when I have too much bread or pasta I just get really bloated – and Italian food is my favourite!
What couldn’t you live without on holiday?
My little suitcase of beauty stuff. If I arrived at the airport and it didn’t turn up, I’d just die. It has all my hair dye, creams and eyelashes in it.
SARAH’S SUMMER SECRETS
What are your holiday essentials?
I’m pretty minimal when I go on holiday – bikinis, sunnies, sunblock, lip balm… I never take heels any more, because it’s pointless. When I went to Ibiza last year I took about 20 pairs of heels and wore just one. The rest of the time I was in sandals. I just want to feel summery and sexy and not feel false. For the evenings, I’ll take maxi dresses and wear them with funky gladiator sandals.
Ever had a holiday disaster?
When I was coming back from Las Vegas via Los Angeles a few years ago, my suitcases went missing and I ended up stranded in LAX airport. I was performing with the girls in Holland the next day and I had to borrow a stage outfit.
What about a fake tan nightmare?
One time I’d fake-tanned the night before starting a tour and my hands were literally orange. I scrubbed them with lemons and tan remover right up to the last minute and luckily it faded a bit. It looked like my hands had been tango’d.
And your biggest fashion faux pas?
I used to rehearse in these big old pink balloon trousers, the girls used to call them parachute pants. I’d trip over in them.
Sarah Harding is the face and legs of Veet’s new Suprem’ Essence range and Bikini & Underarm Kit, available in major retailers nationwide. For more information, see www.veet.co.uk
GIRLS Aloud beauty Sarah Harding looks tickled pink in this sexy photoshoot.
The beauty, 28, left little to the imagination as she showed off her perfect pins in a short silk nightie to promote Veet hair removal.
She said: “Smooth and hair-free skin is a summer essential and a great way to boost your confidence in bikinis.”
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/140181/Sarah-Harding-is-tickled-pink-in-Veet-campaign/
Girls Aloud Sarah Harding has become the new face of hair removal cream firm Veet.
Sarah Harding has become the new face of Veet.
The Girls Aloud beauty will front a campaign for the hair removal firm to promote their new range Suprem’ Essence Hair Removal, which is enriched with essential oils and a velvet rose fragrance for delicately scented smoothness.
She said of her new role: “It’s really important for me to take care of my appearance and Veet’s new Suprem’ Essence range is brilliant for giving me smooth, gorgeous legs. I love the rose smell and my legs are left feeling soft and moisturised. I’ve been using Veet’s hair removal creams for years because they last up to twice as long as shaving and don’t leave irritating stubble – perfect for girls on the go! The wax strips are great to use before a holiday because they leave my legs smooth for up to four weeks meaning that I can relax and know that they will stay hair free while I’m abroad.”
The new Suprem’ Essence range includes Ready To Use Wax Strips and three cream formats to suit every girl’s preference.
The creams have a delicate rose fragrance instead of the usual depilatory cream smell and are enriched with essential oils resulting in cared-for, touchable smoothness.
The wax strips can remove hair as short as 2mm from the root, and will leave you with luxuriously smooth skin for up to 4 weeks.
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/veet-girl-sarah-harding_1148047
Sarah Harding is the new face and legs of Veets Suprem Essence range
To see pic in full see
http://www.sarahhardingaddicts.bravehost.com/Gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1376
Sarah has been signed up as the new legs of Veet
Just had a fun girly chat with sarah harding the new legs of veet! Check out the interview in a few weeks
We’ve found where 2 of the items on the above pic have come from
First the bag is Mimco mini jetson adjustable strap hip bag. You can buy it
The top is from H + M see instore for more details
Filling up her car with petrol, the blonde singer tried – and failed – to disguise herself under some oversized shades and a retro army cap.
The St Trinian’s film star also hinted where she gets her style secrets from – Marilyn Monroe. She stepped out of her car wearing a plain black vest top emblazoned with a large print of the iconic 50s actress on it.
It looks as thought Sarah is going to have plenty of leisurely time left for her this year as well.
Earlier today it was reported that fellow band member Kimberley Walsh admitted that the girls are unlikely to reunite this year but, if they do at all, fans can expect to see them back next year.
http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/829865-sarah-harding-dresses-down-with-marilyn-monroe
For such a tiny girl, size is clearly important for Sarah Harding when it comes to her car.
The Girls Aloud star was snapped filling up her Range Rover in London yesterday, which swamped her as she stood by the petrol tank.
The 28-year-old was topping up the gas as she ran errands round the capital.
After filling up the tank of her silver 4×4, she quickly found a parking space before heading off to do some shopping.
The singer also made the most of the sporadic sunshine as she strolled around in the warm sun.
And she looked slender and chic in her casual outfit of leggings, a Marilyn Monroe vest, flip flops and an army-style cap keeping her hair up.
Sarah is currently enjoying a Girls Aloud hiatus, as the five band members take some time away from the group to work on solo projects.
And she has stepped away from the microphone to be in front of the camera, as she pursue an acting career.
Last year she starred in St Trinian’s II: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, alongside Rupert Everitt and David Tennant.
She also recorded three tracks for the film’s soundtrack and recently met up with the producers in Cannes to line up more acting work.
Sarah was also in the glamorous French town to network with movie contacts, but admitted: ‘This isn’t really my scene, it’s all too posh for me.’
But she was clearly having lots of fun too, so much so that she snubbed band mate Cheryl Cole’s solo gig there to party at Grace’s Jones’s birthday bash instead.
Sarah Harding in london 04.06.10
http://www.sarahhardingaddicts.bravehost.com/Gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1372
The fanbook is now closed (except to those few people i’ve let have a bit longer) upto now we’ve got 97 messages so we should hit a 100 in the end.
We’d just like to thank everyone that has taken the time and effort to send a message in its greatly appreciated so thanks guys. On Wednesday we’d only had 51 messages in but thanks to people helping us promote it over the past few days a lot more people have sent messages in so thanks to everyone who’s helped promote this for us we appreciate it.
We’re get the book made and then sent onto Sarah we’ve been assured by Sarah that it’ll get passed onto her so don’t worry guys ur messages will 110% get to the gorgeous Sarah Harding.
Thanks again guys
Natasha and Claire xxxxxx
SHA Facebook
SHA Forum
SHA Gallery
SHA Icons
SHA Tumblr
SHA Twitter
SHA Youtube