Parenting
Singer Pixie Lott Is Embracing Motherhood While Releasing Her Latest Album
Having sold millions of chart-topping albums and served as a long-standing judge on The Voice Kids UK, Pixie Lott has recently embraced a new personal milestone: motherhood. She welcomed her son, Bertie, with husband Oliver Cheshire, a model and creative director, in 2023. The past year has been a whirlwind for Pixie, filled with significant changes both professionally and personally.
During our conversation with Pixie, she was on the brink of releasing her eagerly awaited fourth album, Encino, coinciding closely with her son’s first birthday. Mother&Baby spoke with Pixie to gain insight into her experiences as a new mother while balancing parenthood with her global pop career.
Motherhood and Music
Pixie gave birth to her first son, Albert—affectionately called Bertie—in September 2023, alongside her long-term partner Oliver. As she gears up to celebrate Bertie’s first birthday, she is also preparing for the launch of her new album, Encino—an endeavor she has passionately pursued for the last five years. Despite the busy schedule, Pixie expresses her enjoyment in navigating these challenges.
“It’s amazing and it’s full-on as well. I absolutely love it. I’m obsessed with little Bertie,” she shares, her excitement evident. “It’s a hectic time because my album releases on Friday, September 27th, and Bertie’s first birthday follows on the 28th. We’ve also moved houses, so there’s a lot happening simultaneously. I can’t believe he is turning one,” she adds with anticipation. “I expect it will be an emotional weekend, and I know I’ll shed some tears on his birthday.”
Finding Balance: A Newborn and a New Album
After an extensive five-year process of creating Encino, Pixie initially planned for the album to premiere before Bertie’s arrival. However, true to her character, she has embraced the timing and found joy in the experience. “I honestly did not foresee that the timing would align this way. I expected the album would drop before Bertie was born,” she reflects. “Now, it has turned out beautifully because I adore bringing him on this journey and sharing the album release together. Music is incredibly important to me, second only to Bertie. Experiencing this alongside him has made it even more special. I take him with me to everything I can; he’s adapting to the ‘on the road’ lifestyle.”
We wonder if Bertie displays any musical inclinations. “He’s grown accustomed to my singing since I’ve been serenading him every morning since his birth, so it’s natural for him,” Pixie remarks. “He seems to enjoy music and even plays the shaker on my second single ‘Midnight Trash’. He’s mentioned in the album credits as ‘Albert Cheshire – Shaker’, so he’s part of this project too,” she laughs.
Family Values: Lessons from Parents
Pixie’s strong family connection is a topic she frequently discusses, noting how it has influenced her parenting approach. “I come from a very close-knit family, and I genuinely value family ties. I always knew it would mean everything to me and that I would have a lot of love, yet this has surpassed everything I’ve ever known,” she explains.
“My mother is an incredible parent—she does everything for her children. I aspire to be half the mother she has been to us. She’s a true role model within motherhood,” Pixie continues. “My father is also a dedicated and selfless figure who supports us as we begin our own families. Everything I know about parenting comes from them.”
Pixie attributes her supportive network as fundamental to her ability to balance Bertie with her professional responsibilities. “I’m fortunate that my parents, sister, and brother have recently had small children. They attend my shows, and we’ve managed to create a little setup like a playgroup for the three little ones. We support each other—it’s a family affair. If someone forgets diapers or bottles, we pitch in to help each other out,” she shares.
Marital Balance: Sharing Responsibilities
How do a pop star and a fashion model navigate parenting duties, and how has this dynamic affected their relationship? “We consider ourselves fortunate since we both have flexible jobs. Despite our busy schedules, we manage to balance everything,” Pixie reveals. “Oliver has his modeling career and his own fashion brand, which keeps him busy. He returned to work only two weeks after Bertie’s birth, but he adjusts his schedule to allow for home-based work when needed. My parents assist us tremendously, and I strive to include Bertie in as many activities as possible.”
After spending many years together, Pixie expresses that the arrival of their son Bertie has enriched their relationship and introduced a plethora of new experiences into their lives. “He is an amazing dad and he absolutely loves it,” she smiles. “We’re having these new experiences for the first time. We’ve been together for nearly 15 years, so having a baby and moving house is a whole new chapter for us. We’ve only lived in flats without gardens during our entire relationship. Transitioning to a house with a baby is an exciting, new adventure for us,” Pixie adds. “We’ve invested a lot of time just the two of us, so this adds another amazing layer. There are challenges that come with the sleep deprivation and juggling it all, but it enriches everything.”
A mini fashion icon in the making
Pixie was seen at London Fashion Week this fall, donning a stylish black shirt paired with a short suit under a full-length trench coat. Baby Bertie accompanied her, already following in the fashionable footsteps of his parents.
“I love bringing Bertie along. I love fashion, his dad loves fashion, so I think Bert loves fashion as well,” Pixie laughs. “It was clear at London Fashion Week that he enjoys the camera. I have fun dressing him in adorable outfits: cute rompers, long socks, and little bloomers. He sports a lot of sailor-inspired looks. Bringing Bertie along is a joy, and he had a wonderful time.”
Juggling the feeding schedule as a working mum
Taking baby Bertie to glamorous events and musical performances has been made easier thanks to Pixie’s trusted baby essentials, particularly Tommee Tippee products, which she is frequently seen using. “The Tommee Tippee bottles are my and Bertie’s favorites,” she shares. “Especially since I’ve been both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. We’ve seamlessly transitioned between the two without any problems. The self-sterilizing feature is a lifesaver for on-the-go, and Bertie seems to love them the most. They’re always in my nappy bag. We’re also big fans of the Tommee Tippee bottle warmer. We’ve relied on it from the start. Getting the milk to the right temperature makes Bertie enjoy it, so it’s become a must-have.”
A fresh new album: Encino
For those who enjoy Pixie’s music, her latest album, Encino, offers a fresh sound that marks a departure from her previous works. This new endeavor emerged during a period in her life when she felt bold enough to take greater risks and fully commit to the project.
“The album began as a passion project. I was still doing features and releasing demos but hadn’t created a complete work. I started it as a side project,” she explains. “I was so passionate about it that I thought, ‘why not invest everything into this?’ I had to step away from what I was doing and embrace a bit of a risk.”
Pixie composed the entire album in Encino, California, where she could truly focus on her craft. Her intention? To create an album featuring live musicians. “I sought an organic, authentic, genuine, and raw sound.” The significance of the location was so profound for Pixie that it became the title of the album: Encino.
“I was determined to take my time with it, to immerse myself in it and pay attention to every word and sound,” she continues.
“I collaborated with a small group of people, which allowed me to explore themes I had never touched on before,” she explains. This collaborative approach enabled her to delve into more profound subjects, capturing a genuine portrayal of the past five years.
“All the experiences, both the challenging and the uplifting moments, are encapsulated in this record. I began writing at a young age and was constantly working with new collaborators, which kept me from digging deeper than surface-level topics. My previous work often followed current trends and popular sounds. This album’s creation was completely different for me, and I found it incredibly freeing. I don’t want to make an album any other way; this process feels so authentic. I’m truly excited for its release.”
Has motherhood transformed her creative approach?
While the allure of pop stardom often affects many artists, Pixie remains grounded. Becoming a mother has shifted her focus to what truly matters in life.
“My outlook has changed tremendously. It brings to light what’s truly significant,” she remarks. “Life is fleeting, and it’s our family, friends, and connections that hold the utmost value. I’m committed to cherishing every moment. One minute I’m preoccupied with work-related thoughts, like planning the album launch party or signing events. Then I feed Bertie, which brings me back down to reality and reminds me of what really counts. There’s a track on the album titled ‘Happy’ that captures this perspective. Hearing Bertie’s laughter or enjoying quiet playtime on slow mornings brings the realization of what’s truly important.”
Pixie’s advice for new mothers
Pixie embodies the warm and supportive nature many would hope to find in their circle of friends—always ready with encouragement and kindness. We naturally inquired what advice she has for new mothers feeling overwhelmed as they try to find balance in their lives.
“First of all, you’re incredible,” Pixie assures. “Take things one step at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed by everything all at once. No two days are the same,” she reassures. “Even if today and last night were challenging, tomorrow could be different. If that doesn’t happen, then surely the day after will. Even the toughest days are surmountable, and it’s all worthwhile when you see their joy and laughter. We’re all in this together, and you can handle it.”
Cat Hufton is a freelance lifestyle journalist located in London. A mother of two sons aged five and two, she has tested numerous products aimed at assisting parents. Her writing spans various national publications where she addresses topics such as navigating postnatal anxiety, dealing with intrusive thoughts, pregnancy during the pandemic, and the childcare crisis. Additionally, she pens a regular newsletter titled The Freelance Parent, which offers support to self-employed parents.
