BBC Celebrity MasterChef: Mica Paris’ personal life from her boxing legend cousin to her film director ex

Mica Paris is a national treasure and the sound of her voice has graced airwaves all around the world.

She released her debut album So Good in 1988 and never looked back after two singles hit mainstream success, the first being the soulful "My One Temptation" and the second being "Where Is the Love".

However, despite her years in the limelight, there are still a lot of interesting things that the public don't know about the star.

READ MORE:EastEnders announce new 'formidable' character as Mica Paris joins cast

Born in Islington, Mica's roots are in soul and gospel music, growing up singing in church and making regular appearances in a gospel choir.

Aged just 19, she released her debut, platinum-selling album So Good and went on to have a huge career in music.

Despite the height of her commercial success being in the 1980s and 1990s, the star has been consistent with her musical releases and and ever-present in the studio.

It was announced last year that Mica would be joining the cast of EastEnders in the role of Ellie Nixon. The singer has been an instant fan favourite and been drawing viewers in since her first episode in September 2020.

At the time of securing the role Mica has said she is "over the moon" to appear on EastEnders.

Mica also has some great experience already on TV, appearing on This Morning, Loose Women and Strictly Come Dancing.

She said: "I have been a fan since its first episode with Susan Tully being my favourite.

“My character the formidable Ellie Nixon, is a new frontier for me as an actress - a lot of folks will see me as never before.”

The star joins a long list of hit singers who have appeared in the BBC soap, including Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp, David Essex and Lee Ryan. Mica has two daughters, Monet and Russia-Mae, the latter who she had with German film director Andreas Neumann).

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Paris is not the only star in her family. Paris' sister, Paula Wallen, was also a pop music singer, and she is the cousin of legendary English boxer Chris Eubank.

The singer even credits her cousin for helping to spark her renewed interest in music. In an industry that can be sexist, racist and ageist, Mica Paris is coming into her own again, inspired in part by her cousin, the boxer Chris Eubank.

‘He’s always told me the British write you off when you get to a certain age, but if you’re passionate and want to be relevant then you still can be,’ she said.

The star has also had a relationship with another person in the limelight, and shares a child born in 2006 with her German film director and photographer ex Andreas Neumann.

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