Paloma Faith has discussed long-standing reports she’s raising her child gender-neutral, saying she was ‘misunderstood’ on the matter.
The Picking Up the Pieces singer, along with partner Leyman Lahcine, became a parent in December 2016.
‘I was misunderstood – the media reported that I wasn’t dictating gender stereotypes,’ The Voice Kids UK star said of her four-year-old in a new interview with the Radio Times.
‘True, I don’t encourage gender rigidity with toys, but really, I was traumatised by the birth and protective of our privacy.’
The Only Love Can Hurt Like This singer added: ‘I wanted her to develop into herself before the world decided who she was. I felt like a lioness. She makes me look at the world in a way I’ve neglected for a long time.’
Earlier this month, Paloma was heard on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast using she/her pronouns in reference to her child.
Paloma said: ‘Last year I was trying again and it was strange because once my daughter turned 18 months I suddenly was like, “I want another one. This is the best”.’
‘Then I had a miscarriage and it’s sort of an ongoing thing,’ the star then shared.
Discussing the reaction to her views on gender, Paloma said: ‘I had people calling me a child abuser online for saying that. Which was weird.
‘And I think that’s sort of part and parcel of why I didn’t want that information out, and I still sort of withhold that.
‘So if I’m with my child in public and someone comes over and asks to have their picture taken with me I never do it.’
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