Music icon Mica Paris has declared she's never needed a man to feel complete, embracing a powerful chapter of self-love and career resurgence as she celebrates a landmark 40 years in the entertainment industry.
From EastEnders to Musical Empowerment
Best known for her soulful voice, Mica also made a memorable appearance on EastEnders in 2020 as the manipulative Ellie Nixon. Reflecting on her brief stint that ended with her character behind bars, she joked about the possibility of a return, quipping, "I'd need to be freed from prison first. I'm not even getting good behaviour!"
Despite initial nerves, she fondly remembers the support from co-stars like Steve McFadden and Diane Parish, who were fans of her music and helped her feel at home on set.
A Life of Highs, Lows, and Unwavering Resilience
Born Michelle Antoinette Wallen in Islington in 1969, Mica's career skyrocketed with her debut album So Good at just 18, establishing her as one of Britain's premier Black female artists. Her illustrious journey includes singing for King Charles, receiving an MBE for services to music, entertainment, and charity, and mentoring the late Amy Winehouse.
She recalls a young Amy coming to her for advice, frustrated with her record label. "She was terrified, the only white girl on my Jazz Café bill, but I told everyone she's amazing," Mica shared.
Her life has also been marked by profound tragedy, notably the death of her 22-year-old brother, Jason Phillips, to gun crime in 2001. This devastating loss inspired her to work with the Metropolitan Police's Operation Trident to combat gun violence.
Finding Peace and Purpose in Her Fifties
Now 56, Mica is radiating a new sense of peace. After a nine-year relationship ended eight years ago, she is happily single and passionately in love with her own life. "I'm in love with myself at the moment," she revealed. "Sometimes you have to come home to yourself. I've never needed a man to make me complete."
Her vibrant energy is supported by a disciplined wellness routine that includes 8,000 steps daily, five steam sessions a week, and a 27-year habit of taking spirulina. She has also given up alcohol after her daughter expressed concern, and she now champions sobriety, especially for women navigating menopause.
As a mother to daughters Monet, 33, and Russia Mae, 18, and a globe-trotting grandmother, Mica's life is full. She is also using her voice to critique the music industry, calling for a return to "the music of love" and better artist development.
Her career continues to soar with a new album and a fiery duet, Stand, recorded with her close friend and godmother to her children, Chaka Khan. With her trademark resilience, Mica Paris proves she is far from finished. "At 56, I'm not invisible," she stated. "I'm just getting started."
