Mica Paris said she endured "tremendous pressure" to appear "slim and sexy" at the start of her four-decade career, describing a regimen of extreme dieting around photoshoots that she now contrasts with a calmer approach to healthy living.
Speaking to the Daily Mail as part of a promotional partnership with skincare company Genaura, the 56-year-old singer and actress said she once subsisted on "salads, coffee, trainer in that order" before performances and shoots and that the routine left her "living on my nerves." Paris said she now prioritises self-care and a gentler fitness routine and has an active role promoting the Levagen+ Smart Face Serum from Genaura.
Paris said the industry has changed for women in the public eye, with less pressure to be "perfect" and more independence, but cautioned that challenges remain. She attributed some of her early emphasis on appearance to her gospel upbringing, which she said taught her to "always look my best," and added that maintaining appearance can boost self-esteem.
Detailing her current routine, Paris said she starts the day with a spirulina shake with whey protein, aims for 8,000 steps daily walking her dog, and uses a steam treatment five days a week. On skincare, she described applying Genaura at night and in the morning, saying it keeps her skin "tight but soft at the same time." Paris said she has "cracked healthy living without stressing my body out."
Genaura promotes Levagen+, a formulation centred on palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), as a serum designed to target stressed skin and reinforce the skin's natural barrier. The company said a clinical trial of 70 participants found that after four weeks dryness and uneven skin tone were dramatically diminished. The Genaura Levagen+ Smart Face Serum is listed at £294 for 30ml and is available from Genaura.com.
Paris, who holds an MBE, reflected on ageing and confidence, saying she has "embraced who I am" and no longer seeks to be anything other than herself. "Experience is truly a wonderful thing," she told the newspaper, adding that growing older brought a capacity to forgive others and herself, which she described as freeing.
The singer, whose career spans about 40 years, also cited the creative rewards of her work. She said writing songs and performing continues to give her a "buzz" and that seeing the joy her work brings audiences remains central to her outlook. Paris noted she hopes her forthcoming eighth album will uplift listeners and said it includes a duet with Chaka Khan.
Paris expanded her profile beyond music when she took a role on the BBC soap EastEnders in 2020. She said she encourages other women to practise self-care amid responsibilities that often centre on looking after others.
As part of the Genaura promotion, Paris discussed the company's survey finding that a third of women feel insecure without make-up, citing the statistic to underline her own desire to promote self-acceptance. She urged women to prioritise their own wellbeing, saying: "Keep the body/temple healthy then you're good to go. Get Genaura now ladies!"
Representatives for Paris and Genaura did not immediately provide additional comment beyond the interview. The singer's remarks add to a broader ongoing conversation in entertainment about body image, wellness and the pressures faced by performers earlier in their careers as the industry adapts to changing social expectations.