Michelle McManus, a Scottish singer, showed off her impressive weight loss in an Instagram post wearing a stylish floral dress. The 43-year-old, who has been sober for five years, has previously spoken about her battle with weight and journey to sobriety. Michelle won the second series of Pop Idol in 2003 and admits that during her time on the show, she struggled with people scrutinizing her looks. She has also opened up about her decision to quit drinking, as she felt she didn’t have a stop button when it came to alcohol consumption. Michelle shares two sons with her husband Jeff Nimmo and has been candid about her experiences in the spotlight.
In 2016, Michelle revealed that during Pop Idol, she found it difficult with people always commenting on her appearance. She mentioned that even if she were to lose weight and become thin, the memories of being judged on her looks would always be a part of her. Michelle once joked about wanting to ‘wire her jaw up’ before her wedding to lose weight. Last year, she appeared on Loose Women 20 years after her Pop Idol win and got emotional talking about the negative attention she received during and after the show. Michelle felt shame over the trolling she faced and said that she wouldn’t allow her daughter to go on such a show due to the impact of social media.
During the Loose Women appearance, Michelle opened up about her decision to stop drinking, sharing that alcohol used to be her best friend. However, in her late thirties, alcohol started to fall out of favor with her. Michelle realized that she didn’t have a stop button when it came to alcohol and decided to remove it from her life. Cutting out alcohol was a significant step for her empowerment. She admitted that she used to enjoy alcohol but never could be a social drinker. By giving up alcohol, Michelle felt more in control of her life and believes it was one of the best decisions she has ever made.
Michelle’s journey to sobriety and weight loss has been a personal and emotional one. She recalled feeling shame and embarrassment due to the negative comments and trolling she faced during her time on Pop Idol. Despite winning the competition, Michelle was deeply affected by the judgments regarding her looks. She found the experience challenging and shared that the impact of social media today would have made it even more difficult for her. Michelle has shown resilience and strength in overcoming her struggles with weight and alcohol and continues to inspire others with her honesty and openness about her experiences.
Taking a break from alcohol has allowed Michelle to feel more empowered and in control of her life. She acknowledges that alcohol used to play a significant role in her life but ultimately decided to remove it to regain control. Michelle’s journey serves as an example of the importance of self-care and making choices that benefit one’s overall well-being. By sharing her story, Michelle hopes to encourage others who may be facing similar struggles with weight or addiction to seek help and make positive changes in their lives. Through her openness and vulnerability, Michelle continues to be an inspiration to many, showing that it’s possible to overcome challenges and come out stronger on the other side.
