having sold millions of chart-topping albums and enjoying a long tenure as a judge on The Voice Kids UK, Pixie Lott has recently embraced an exciting new chapter in her life: motherhood. In 2023, she welcomed her son, Bertie, with her husband, Oliver Cheshire, a model and creative director. The past year has been a whirlwind for Pixie, marked by profound professional and personal transformations.
In our discussion, Pixie prepared to launch her highly anticipated fourth album, Encino, which coincided with her son’s first birthday. Mother&Baby spoke with her to gain insights into her journey as a new parent while managing the demands of her global pop career.
Motherhood and Music
Pixie welcomed her first son, Albert—affectionately referred to as Bertie—in September 2023 with her longtime partner, Oliver. As she looks forward to celebrating Bertie’s first birthday, she is simultaneously gearing up for the release of her new album, Encino—an effort she has passionately pursued over the last five years. Regardless of her busy schedule, Pixie expresses her enthusiasm for juggling these experiences.
“It’s amazing and it’s full-on as well. I absolutely love it. I’m obsessed with little Bertie,” she shares, her excitement palpable. “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 at once. 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 a lengthy five-year journey to create Encino, Pixie initially aimed for the album’s release to precede Bertie’s birth. However, true to her nature, she has embraced this timing and found joy in it. “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 shows 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 familial bonds are a frequent topic of conversation, influencing her parenting style. “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 credits her supportive family network as essential for balancing the demands of motherhood with her career. “I’m fortunate that my parents, sister, and brother have recently had small children. They attend my shows, and we’ve established 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 impacted 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 many years together, Pixie notes that the arrival of their son Bertie has deepened their relationship and opened up new experiences. “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 an exciting, new adventure for us. We’ve only lived in flats without gardens during our entire relationship. Transitioning to a house with a baby is a whole new chapter,” 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 attended London Fashion Week this fall, sporting a chic black shirt with a short suit layered under a full-length trench coat. Baby Bertie was by her side, already exhibiting the fashionable influence 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
Bringing baby Bertie to glamorous events and musical performances has been simplified 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 fans of Pixie’s music, her latest album, Encino, presents a new sound that marks a shift from her earlier works. This endeavor emerged during a time 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 wrote the entire album in Encino, California, where she could truly devote herself to her craft. Her goal? 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 eventually became the album’s title: 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 explored before,” she shares. This collaborative approach allowed her to address deeper themes, resulting in an authentic representation of her experiences over the past five years.
“All these experiences, the difficult and the uplifting, are reflected in this album. I started writing at an early age and was always engaged with new collaborators, which often kept me from exploring more profound subjects. My earlier work tended to align with current trends and popular sounds. The process of creating this album felt entirely different for me, and it was incredibly liberating. I have no desire to produce an album any other way; this method feels so genuine. I am truly looking forward to its launch.”
Has motherhood influenced her creative process?
While the glamour of pop fame tends to sway many artists, Pixie has maintained her humility. Motherhood has redirected her attention to what genuinely matters in life.
“My perspective has shifted significantly. It highlights what’s truly important,” she notes. “Life is short, and it’s our relationships with family, friends, and loved ones that hold the most significance. I’m dedicated to valuing each moment. One moment I may be caught up in work—planning the album launch party or signing sessions. Then I tend to Bertie, which brings me back down to earth and reminds me of what truly matters. There’s a song on the album titled ‘Happy’ that embodies this viewpoint. Listening to Bertie’s laughter or enjoying quiet time during leisurely mornings reinforces the realization of what holds true importance.”
Pixie’s guidance for new mothers
Pixie exemplifies the nurturing and supportive qualities many would hope to discover in their friendships—always offering encouragement and kindness. We were eager to learn what advice she has for new mothers feeling overwhelmed while striving for balance in their lives.
“First and foremost, you are amazing,” Pixie affirms. “Take things one step at a time to prevent feeling swamped by everything all at once. No two days are identical,” she encourages. “Even if today and last night were tough, tomorrow may offer a different experience. If not, then surely the day after that will. Even the hardest days can be overcome, and it’s all worthwhile when you witness their joy and laughter. We’re all navigating this journey together, and you have the strength to get through it.”
Cat Hufton is a freelance lifestyle journalist based in London. As a mother of two sons aged five and two, she has tested numerous products aimed at assisting parents. Her writing appears in various national publications, addressing issues such as navigating postnatal anxiety, managing intrusive thoughts, pregnancy during the pandemic, and the childcare crisis. Additionally, she authors a regular newsletter titled The Freelance Parent, which provides support to self-employed parents.
