AJ Odudu discusses the fight against racism, classism and sexism to make a career

AJ Odudu saw her fame skyrocket after appearing on Seriously To Dance in 2021, going on to present Comic Relief, Eurovision Song Contest and Platinum Jubilee Pageant

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AJ Odudu’s seriously said she was ‘crying for days after exiting the show

AJ Odudu says she felt like she was the ‘wrong gender, color and class’ as she struggled to break into the TV industry.

While the 34-year-old has now cemented herself as one of the UK’s top TV presenters, things were not looking good for her when she started.

After being raised modestly in a working-class family in Blackburn, where her mother was a cleaner at a grammar school and her father James was a bus conductor, AJ has seen fame Her popularity skyrocketed after she appeared on the show Strictly Come Dance in 2021.

She was paired on the show with professional dancer Kai Widdrington and together they are among the favorites to win the 2021 competition.

However, AJ and Kai’s hopes were dashed when she suffered a severe injury to the spring ligament in her foot, which kept her out of the Serious Finals, then Eastenders star Rose Ayling- Ellis won.

Speaking to Daily Mail Weekend magazine, AJ said: “Not that I thought I would win, because I didn’t, but I just gutted because I knew we were going to have a great performance.

“I remember saying, ‘I’m so upset, guys,’ while my eyes were crying and thinking, ‘My legs really hurt here, but not as much as my heart. “

AJ and her seven siblings were encouraged to “seize opportunities our parents didn’t have” as she grew up, although she struggled at first to break into the media scene. Figure.

She said she feels “people like her” are not getting jobs in television and adds that she is also said to have lost her Blackburn accent early in her career, which she refused.

AJ shared about the racism she endured as a child, which unfortunately remains an issue today.

She added: “There is so much wrong with the way I was treated in the past and the way I continue to be treated. But you have to choose your battle.

“I can defend my happiness, but also defend what I believe is unfair. That’s what I’m trying to strike a balance between.”

Prior to her starring role, Odudu’s presenting career consisted solely of shows targeting a younger demographic and sideshows such as Big Brother’s Bit on the Side and The Voice UK, later as a host. behind-the-scenes program.

But she has gone on to host shows like Comic Relief with Vernon Kay, as UK spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 and more recently in the Platinum competition.

Meanwhile, TV fans will soon be seeing a lot more of AJ as she’ll help wake up the nation in a reboot of The Big Breakfast.

The star, along with comedian Mo Gilligan, is set to air in August as the frenetic early morning entertainment program prepares to return to screens after a successful broadcast last year.

Speaking about the show last month, AJ said: “There’s really nothing like the Big Breakfast on our screens. I enjoyed hosting it last year and I’m looking forward to coming back home to catch up. early summer weekends at this award-winning show.”

Mo added: “I love being on this incredible history-making show. The whole team was breathtaking and I was delighted to work with AJ – she is one of the best in the business. And now a summer live series? Let’s go!”

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