‘It was like a therapy session’: Rochelle Humes says talking about childhood racism for TV documentary was ‘so emotional’ as she reflects on having open conversations with her own kids
Rochelle Humes has described the emotional experience she had filming this week’s Channel 4 documentary The Talk.
The programme, which aired on Tuesday night, saw high-profile black Britons share their stories of the conversations parents have to help their children face racism.
The documentary saw Rochelle break down as she talked with her husband Marvin about her childhood experiences of racism, with the star telling The One Show on Wednesday that filming felt like ‘a therapy session’
Conversations: Rochelle Humes described the emotional experience she had filming this week’s documentary The Talk, during an appearance on Wednesday’s The One Show
The One Show shared a clip of Rochelle emotionally explaining on The Talk about how she reacted to racism as a child: ‘My legs were red, because I’d tried to scrub my skin off,’ she tearfully admitted.
‘I’m not upset for me, I’m just upset because I think my little girl is the same age. I just don’t know how I would handle that.’
Describing the experience of filming to The One Show’s Alex Jones and Gethin Jones, Rochelle admitted: ‘I didn’t realise it would go there when I was talking. It was almost like a therapy session.’
Emotional: The Channel 4 documentary saw Rochelle break down as she talked with her husband Marvin about her childhood experiences of racism
She went on to reiterate the importance of having open conversations about race with children, saying: ‘We were talking honestly and openly and I think that is what is so important when it comes to a topic about race.’
‘It was so emotional. The experiences I had as a little one, if I think of my kids coming home and saying the same thing I can’t even imagine having to have those conversations.’
Rochelle also spoke about her new children’s book during her BBC appearance. The Mega Magic Teacher Swap is the star’s second book, and helps kids navigate moving into a new school year.
Multi talented:Rochelle also spoke about her new children’s book. The Mega Magic Teacher Swap is the star’s second book, and helps kids navigate moving into a new school year
Rochelle explained she was inspired by the experience her eldest daughter Alaia-Mai, six, had.
‘When I was writing the book it was a couple of years ago when my daughter was moving up a year and like most little ones she was really apprehensive about leaving her old teacher and the change that came with it,’ she said.
‘She was devastated and would cry about this teacher that she adored. I really wouldn’t have predicted a global pandemic but now it’s become really poignant because kids haven’t been at school and now it’s taken on new meaning.’
Family: She went onto admit she is looking forward to September when Alaia-Mai, six, and her younger sister Valentina, three, will be back at school and nursery
She went onto admit she is looking forward to September when Alaia-Mai and her younger sister Valentina, three, will be back at school and nursery, saying:
‘It’s getting back into the old routine, kids adjust and adapt so quickly which has meant they’ve really got used to being at home with us. I’m very much looking forward to them going back!’
It’s set to be a busy autumn for the Humes family as Rochelle and Marvin’s third child, a baby boy, is due in October.
Expecting: It’s set to be a busy autumn for the Humes family as Rochelle and Marvin’s third child, a baby boy, is due in October