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Clara Amfo spent 'a good 5 years being really unkind' to herself

Photo credit: Ekua King
Photo credit: Ekua King

From Red Online

Clara Amfo says 'learning boundaries' ended 'a good five years being really unkind' to herself.

In a new interview with Red for our September issue, the Radio 1 DJ says self-imposed guidelines on what she will, and won't, put up with and speaking her truth have helped her find peace and power in all areas of her life. But it wasn't always this way.

When asked by Red's Jen Crothers what words of wisdom she would impart on a teenage Clara, she joked: 'Do not relax your hair, you'll regret it' before adding: 'And you're perfect just the way you are. You may not look like the other girls and that's okay – you're not supposed to and that's all right. That's why I'd tell myself for sure.'

Amfo turned 36 in May and says she's 'never felt more confident and free': 'I'd definitely spent about a good five years being really unkind to myself. I was making terrible dating choices, I was beating myself up about any mistake I made. I couldn't forgive myself and just wouldn't give myself a break.' Learning boundaries changed that, she said.

She also reflected on the impassioned speech she gave on air, following the death of African-American man George Floyd in US police custody which sparked protests around the world, and the 'overwhelming' response she received afterwards.

'I've witnessed what I feel is a genuine transformation,' she said. 'Not overnight change, but I've definitely seen the penny drop. I've had messages saying, "I honestly had no idea, but now suddenly everything makes sense." These can be watershed moments that shift culture and conversation, and I've been privy to see the results of that, and this is what keeps me hopeful.'

You can read Red's full interview with Clara Amfo in our September issue, out now.

Subscribe to Red now to get the magazine delivered to your door. Red's September issue is out now and available for purchase online and via Readly or Apple News+.

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