'I got wrinkles galore': Tess Daly, 53, reflects on aging and impossible standards of modeling industry
LONDON, ENGLAND: Tess Daly, who hosted 'Strictly Come Dancing' for nearly two decades, recently spoke about the importance of physical appearances in the fashion industry and the impact it often has on models. Daly, 53, also spoke about her attitude toward aging.
The 'Sweet Harmony' star said in the interview that while she knows her role on the reality show will eventually come to an end, she has no intention of stepping down now. Tess Daly, who has been the main host of the dance reality show since 2014, has Claudia Winkleman as her co-host.
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Tess Daly will not end her career 'anytime soon'
Daly jokes, “When it feels like it’s time to go and hide, I will!” before continuing, “But I enjoy myself too much to leave any time soon.” Attributing her northern heritage for her practicality, she says, “I’m northern and we’re pragmatic by nature. At this point, I’m grateful to still be healthy and working,” reports The Sun.
The veteran model also muses, “There are a lot of women in their 50s now on television, like me, Claud and Davina [McCall] – a lot more than there used to be.”
Continuing about her own realizations, she said, “I’ve got wrinkles galore. You know when you look down at your iPhone and the camera is open and you go, ‘Oh, my god!’ I’m at that point. But what’s the alternative?”
Feeling quite appreciative of her lot, she continued, "I’ve got to be grateful for a healthy life and a long career that I still love. Life is challenging enough as it is,” and added, "There’s no point beating yourself up. Just get on with it and be grateful, that’s my attitude.”
Tess Daly hated her 'nose' since she was 15
The mother of two also talked in detail about body positivity. She said, "But we’re all critical of ourselves, aren’t we? We tend to see our faults, but there’s no point dwelling on it.” While reminiscing about her past, she said, “I’ve hated my nose since I was 15 years old”. “I broke it playing netball. I hate my profile. I’d love to change it, but I wouldn’t dare in case it just looked worse afterwards,” Daly added.
The glamorous diva contemplated however, "It’s something I’ve lived with – and I’m trying to concentrate on the good stuff. Having my health and being here and strong and healthy for my kids – that’s what matters. That’s my priority.”
‘There’s a lot of pressure on this generation of girls’
Being a mum of two teenage daughters, Daly is no outsider to the effects of social media on a young person’s psyche. “There’s a lot of pressure on this generation of girls growing up on social media” as “everything is documented,” she reiterated the sentiment which is commonplace in the 21st century.
However, she also understands her role as a mother, as she said, “In my mind, I’m a mum, and that’s what I’ve been for 18 years, and I manage to get out to work occasionally. But being a mum is so all-consuming.” Mother of two daughters, Phoebe and Amber aged 18 and 13 respectively, Daly says, "For me, it’s my most important role – it’s what I am first and foremost. The first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing at night is my kids’ wellbeing – and I bet any parent would agree with me.”
Combining her motherly instincts and her experiences in the industry, thus she tries to inculcate in her daughters the idea that looks are temporary and being a good human is foremost. "I wouldn’t dream of putting any more pressure on my two, because I want them to believe that the content of their character is more important. Ultimately, that’s what you’ve got in life. Looks will fade, but you live with yourself forever,” commented Daly.
Tess Daly shares two daughters with her husband Vernon Kay, a British television and radio presenter whom she married in 2003. Usually, parents keep their daughters out of the limelight. Their older daughter Phoebe recently made her red carpet debut when she attended the premiere of 'John Wick Chapter 4' with her father.
Tess Daly says fashion industry doesn't have 'good relationship' with food
A model for over 35 years, Daly fully understood the fashion industry’s toxic relationship with food as she says there are many people who would skip meals in their initial days to fit in the perfect mold requisite for the industry. However, she notes, “For me, dieting was never an option. I came from a family where you’d never skip a meal – it was just sacrilegious, so that was ingrained in me.”
In her candid conversation, she also brought out the hypocrisy that was rampant in the modeling industry when she was starting her career. "I was told so many times, ‘You should look this way,’ then I was told, ‘You should put weight on.’ I thought: ‘You said something different to me last month.’ That’s when I realised to just take it with a pinch of salt,” noted the industry alum. She also added, “I don’t want my girls to be counting calories – I don’t think that’s where happiness lies.”
"After so many years of being judged on my appearance, I realised that the secret to feeling good was what was happening inside the body,” pondered the model-mother.