July 6th 2024.
"I don't really see myself as being a hot 50-year-old," Denise said with a laugh. As someone who has been a familiar face on our screens since the 90s, Denise van Outen has an impressive resume. She's an actress, presenter, dancer, singer, and DJ, and she's still keeping us entertained with her appearances on Gogglebox alongside her best friend Duncan James, as well as her lively DJ sets in Ibiza.
During our conversation, Denise opened up about her latest release, a dance track called Discoliscious. "I actually came up with this song while setting up a DJ agency called Discoliscious with my business partner, Jemma Bolt. We saw a need for a safe and inclusive party space for the queer community and women, where the focus is on the music and dancing. It has since gone international, and we needed more DJs, so it made sense to start an agency to bring in talent. And then I thought to myself, we need an anthem for the end of the party, and that's how Discoliscious was born."
When asked about the inspiration behind the song, Denise replied, "It's a fun dance track about finding a better guy, having your moment in the spotlight, and saying 'up yours' to anyone who lets you down. For the music video, I was looking for a male model or dancer to be the love interest, and a friend introduced me to Sweeney, one of the Magic Mike guys. He's incredibly talented, and it was a joy to work with him."
In the music video, Denise looks stunning, and she also did a sultry photoshoot to celebrate turning 50. When asked if it felt empowering, she exclaimed, "I am loving it! It gave me a goal to work towards, and I spent a few weeks training hard, cutting out alcohol and sugar, and following a strict low-carb, high-protein diet. I got myself in great shape, but as soon as the shoot was over, my birthday celebrations began, and I spent a month partying with friends."
I then asked Denise if she ever imagined she would look so fabulous at 50. She replied, "I don't really think about it that way because if I did, I wouldn't be a decent person! But I do feel that getting older is liberating. I try not to be too hard on myself about my appearance. I focus more on my health, both physically and mentally."
"It sounds like you're embracing being single as well," I commented. Denise nodded and replied, "Yes, turning 50 – not in a negative way – was not where I thought I would be at 40. I had hoped to be settled down, but that didn't happen. However, I didn't want to approach my 50s with a negative attitude. I have always been someone who enjoys being in a relationship, but I decided to embrace my 50s and have a year of doing things I love. Last weekend, my 14-year-old daughter Betsy came with me to a DJ gig, and it was wonderful to spend quality time with her."
Denise also recently joined a celebrity dating app. When asked if it was her first time trying online dating, she replied, "Yes, I've never really done the dating scene, and it's been quite fun. But with my busy schedule, I've had to take a step back from going on dates. I have met some lovely people on the app, and although it hasn't always been romantic, I have made a few new friends. I'm not in a hurry to meet someone, though."
Denise will also be DJing at Fearne Cotton's Happy Place Festival. "Fearne is one of my closest friends, and she always gives great advice. You really find out who your true friends are when things aren't going well. And the Happy Place Festival is amazing; it's all about wellness and has such a positive energy. I always leave with a huge smile on my face. It's also a dry festival, so it's refreshing to see everyone just enjoying the music without getting drunk."
One of Denise's other close friends is Duncan James, whom she often appears with on Gogglebox. "I adore Duncan; he's another one of my closest friends. It's always great to have a gay best friend. I can always count on him to give me fashion advice or help me pick out the perfect shoes to go with a dress."
As if she doesn't have enough on her plate, Denise is also bringing back her musical, Some Girl I Used To Know, for its tenth anniversary. "I wanted to do something special to mark my 50th, and bringing back this musical that I wrote with Terry Ronald seemed like the perfect idea. It tackles important issues like choosing between starting a family or focusing on your career. But it's also quite daunting. I've already started revising the script to update some parts that feel outdated after ten years."
When asked if she would do more West End shows, Denise replied with enthusiasm, "Absolutely! I took a break from the West End because it requires such a huge commitment. Betsy's dad, Lee Mead, is starring in Sister Act this summer, and we have a great relationship, so we work together to make sure Betsy has the support she needs while I'm performing. But eventually, I would love to get back to the West End. Being a single mum means I have to juggle a lot, but I'm not the only one. We just have to make it work."
For those interested in attending one of Denise's Discoliscious gigs or events, they can visit discoliscious.com for dates and details.
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