Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inbox
Jo O'Meara has revealed she's still trying to rebuild her life after losing everything following her controversial Big Brother appearance in 2007.
S Club 7 star Jo, 42, saw her career and reputation in tatters after she was in the centre of a race row.
Jo came under fire alongside the late Jade Goody and Danielle Lloyd after their behaviour towards Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty was branded racist and bullying.
The Bring It All Back singer has since apologised for her behaviour throughout the years and says she has since learned a lot about herself.
Speaking to The Sun, Jo admitted she regrets going on the reality series as she suffered a breakdown.
Jo, who recently stunned fans with her new look, said of the time on the show: "I feel that I should have never gone in there in the first place. I did it for the wrong reasons, because I needed the money to save my home – but I didn’t end up doing that anyway.
"Everything that happened around that time… I am so, so sorry to everybody out there I ever offended, because I never meant to hurt anybody. All I can do is apologise and let people know that I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’m a very different person today."
The singer revealed just how much she lost after her controversial appearance on the reality series.
"I think a lot of people wanted me to be punished for what happened, and I was. I lost my career," she said.
"I lost my home. I lost everything and I’m still trying to rebuild today. That’s why I feel so blessed to be back doing what I love.
"I had a complete breakdown and it wasn’t a nice time for everybody involved. If I could go back in time and change what happened then I would, but I can’t. All I can do is hold my hands up and apologise."
Shortly after taking part in Big Brother, Jo fell pregnant with her son Lenny, who is now 13.
Jo recalled how the birth of her son shifted her focus. She said: "Yes, it wasn’t planned, but it happened for a reason. Lenny gave me something else to focus on and helped dig me out of the hole I was in – I just put all my energy into him.
"You grow up pretty quickly after you’ve had a baby. You put all your love into this little bundle and keeping them safe and warm."
Following her success with S Club 7, Jo attempted to launch her solo career and released her solo album in 2005.
Become an OK! VIP and see all our exclusives – for free!
Become an OK! VIP and you will unlock access to all of our big exclusives…
Be the first to meet the latest showbiz babies, see the most sought after wedding pictures of the year, or take a guided tour around your favourite star's lavish multi-million pound home – all for free!
Sign up here
Now, 16 years on, Jo is releasing a new solo album titled With Love.
Speaking of her return to music, Jo revealed: "I’ve always wanted to do another album, but the timings hadn’t been right and I didn’t have the guts. I was talking to a friend about it and she said: 'Why don’t you just text Brian Rawling – who I did my first album with – and see what he says?'
"It took me a while, because I was nervous, but he told me to come in for a chat. So I did, and he said: 'Let’s make another record.' I was like: 'Wow, OK!'"
Stay up to date with all the latest news on Jo O'Meara and your favourite stars by signing up to OK!'s daily celebrity newsletter.
Source: Read Full Article
