Sunday, 18 October 2009

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Stacey Solomon - 'ugly duckling' to amazing swan

Despite her stunning looks, the X Factor star has a very personal reason for feeling insecure

Stacey Soloman has a 19-month-old son called Zachary

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She's among the top three favourites to win this year's X Factor, but young single mum Stacey Soloman hasn't always been the bubbly person we 
see now.

After speaking to a close family friend, Now can reveal that the reality TV star was picked on at school because 
of her looks and still suffers from low self-esteem.

‘I've seen Stacey grow up and she wasn't exactly a beauty as a child,' says our source. ‘Stacey was very shy, too. She had a hard time at school.

‘I remember her as a little girl with sticky-out ears and crooked teeth. No one would believe it now, though. She's blossomed into a swan and is such a lovely person, too.'

Although she appears confident and outgoing, Stacey still lacks faith in her looks and talent.

‘She's always lacked confidence - maybe because of her appearance,' continues our source. ‘She's very humble. Perhaps that's why she can't believe she's in the finals.'

Last month, the 20-year-old said her singing and dancing course at Havering College in Essex has given her a boost. ‘I'm not the most confident person, but the teachers have really supported me,' she says.

Mum to 19-month-old Zachary, Stacey discovered she was pregnant while on holiday in Tenerife, according to a friend.

She is on great terms with Zach's dad, even though they split up before their son was born.

‘Zach's dad visits every other weekend,' says our source. ‘He's only young and seems good with the baby. The family don't talk about Stacey's pregnancy. It must have been a hard time, but she's an amazing mum.'

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See the full story about Stacey Solomon in Now magazine dated 19 October 2009 - out now!