'Kids in infant school wouldn't hold my hand, they were scared the brown would rub off': Laura Mvula describes how racist bullying as a child shattered her self-esteem

By DAN CAIN FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Laura Mvula has revealed how being the victim of racism as a young girl affected her growing up.

The critically-acclaimed soul singer, 30, told the Evening Standard that whenever she sings the line 'Her skin was a terrible thing to live in', from the track People on her upcoming second album The Dreaming Room, it evokes strong memories from her time as a five-year-old.

She explained: 'When I sing that line I always think about the experience I had when I was young, where kids in infant school wouldn’t hold my hand.

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Hurtful: Laura Mvula, 30, has revealed the impact being racially abused during her early school days had on her growing

Hurtful: Laura Mvula, 30, has revealed the impact being racially abused during her early school days had on her growing

'You know when they line up the kids and say, ‘Get a partner, hold hands’? They would say, ‘No, I’m not holding her hand because I’m scared the brown’s going to rub off’.

'At that point in my life, as a five-or six-year-old, being taught subconsciously that there’s something not quite right with my skin led me on a very difficult and distorted path in terms of my identity, self-worth and self-esteem.'

Despite achieving commercial success and being nominated for, and winning, major awards, Laura believes the music industry still has a long way to go to improve opportunities for aspiring black artists.

Sad state of affairs: Laura told how children at her school refused to hold hands with her because of her skin colour

Sad state of affairs: Laura told how children at her school refused to hold hands with her because of her skin colour

The star said she didn't like knowing that there were black children not being acknowledged in society as a whole.

And Laura also opened up about Prince's shock death. 

The singer counted the musical icon as a friend and recalled how she spent 40 minutes talking to the Purple Rain hitmaker following his performance at the 2014 BRIT Awards.

She said the star championed her work, with many people across the world admitting they were turned onto her music by him.

Prince took a shine to her when the two played an arts festival in Stockholm in August 2013.

In an interview with MailOnline, she said: ‘I was starstruck when I met him. My mum and I got to watch his gig from the side of the stage.'

More needs to be done: The star said she didn't like knowing that there were black children not being acknowledged in society as a whole

More needs to be done: The star said she didn't like knowing that there were black children not being acknowledged in society as a whole

‘Three songs in, he began introducing the members of the band. When it came to himself, he said: “And my name is Laura Mvula!” That was a show I won’t forget.’ 

Born Laura Douglas in the Birmingham suburb of Kings Heath (she married classical singer Themba Mvula three years ago), the singer — who sports strikingly long false eyelashes when we meet in her West London hotel — is also a somewhat reluctant star who has overcome chronic stage fright to get where she is.

Discussing her relationship with Themba, she said: ‘I was wooed by his baritone. We had a similar passion for music. And, while I’m laid back, he is very proactive. He knows where he wants to go.

‘When we met, we had fun sharing music. He introduced me to choral music, and I found myself going to lots of chamber concerts in churches with him in the middle of winter.’ 

Star connection: The singer counted Prince as a friend and told how he championed her music

Star connection: The singer counted Prince as a friend and told how he championed her music

 

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