Steps singer Lisa Scott-Lee has revealed she is now running a performing arts school in Dubai which has 600 pupils.
The star, 45, took on the job after moving to the UAE permanently with her husband Johnny Shentall, 42, and their two children Jaden, 13, and Star Lily, 11, in 2011.
The couple launched the Dubai Performing Arts Academy in 2014, which Lisa runs as well as still working with the band ahead of the release of their seventh album.
Teacher: Steps singer Lisa Scott-Lee has revealed she is now running a performing arts school in Dubai which has 600 pupils
She told The Mirror: ‘Steps is my life. It has been my life for the last 24 years, but being principal of the school is my day job.
‘I can never switch off. Even when I’m with Steps, rehearsing or shooting a video, I’ll be working on my laptop. It’s become a bit of a running joke. I have to flip between my Steps hat and principal hat, which can be really hard and stressful at times.
‘I get on the plane as principal Lisa and get off the plane as pop star Lisa.’
Project: The star, 45, took on the job after moving to the UAE permanently with her husband Johnny Shentall, 42, (pictured in 2014) and their two children Jaden, 13, and Star Lily, 11, in 2011
The centre caters for children aged three to 18 and offers pupils the chance to gain a BTEC qualification in Performing Arts.
Lisa told the publication she is not out in Dubai ‘sunning herself’ but that she works six days a week to make sure the day-to-day running of the school goes smoothly.
She added that although she is mostly ‘office-based’ now she still teaches singing and dance lessons and she feels ‘really proud’ when she tells people she’s a teacher.
Lisa and her Hear’Say star husband Johnny moved to Dubai in 2011 and she says some people over there still sometimes recognise her from being in Steps.
Priorities: The couple launched the Dubai Performing Arts Academy in 2014, which Lisa runs as well as still working with the band (pictured in 1998)
She explained that sometimes people will start singing their hit song Tragedy at her, but most of the time she is simply ‘Miss Lisa’.
Lisa flew back to the UK in October to promote Steps’ new studio album, What the Future Holds alongside bandmates Claire Richards, Lee Latchford-Evans, Faye Tozer and Ian ‘H’ Watkins.
But she has not been able to return since as Dubai has been placed on the travel red list.
Talented: Lisa told The Mirror: ‘Steps is my life. It has been my life for the last 24 years, but being principal of the school is my day job’
Lisa said: ‘It’s been really hard seeing the group perform without me, but I will definitely be back for the new album and our arena tour later this year.’
It comes after Steps announced the release of their seventh studio album at the start of last month.
Featuring ten brand-new, unheard songs, the 15-track record – set for a September 2021 release – will also feature the vocals of RuPaul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage.
The iconic group announced the news in a YouTube video and also released the video for song Heartbreak In This City, which features Michelle.
Wow! It comes after Steps announced the release of their seventh studio album at the start of last month
The new album is a sequel to 2020’s What The Future Holds Pt 1, and will include new songs alongside five acoustic versions of recent hits.
Heartbreak in This City’s music video sees former Strictly star Michelle, 52, take on the role of ‘special agent’. The star is tasked with tracking down anyone experiencing heartbreak.
Steps’ new music video was choreographed by Mark Jennings and shot primarily in Manchester in line with pandemic restrictions.
Discussing the new release, Lisa – who filmed her scenes in Dubai – said: ‘We couldn’t have been more thrilled about the reaction to our What The Future Holds album last November, and the ongoing love from fans for all our single and video releases since.’
Faye Tozer, 45, added: ‘While lockdown has been really tough, we were fortunate enough to use the time to record a load of brand-new songs for you all!
‘What originally started as a deluxe version of the album has now become a full new record.’
Ian ‘H’ Watkins, 44, branded one of the group’s upcoming tracks ‘an electronic anthem’.
Speaking of his favourite songs, the singer said: ‘Some of our favourites include Take Me For A Ride which has a proper 80s vibe and A Hundred Years of Winter which is an icy electronic anthem written by our friend, the brilliant songwriter Darren Hayes from Savage Garden.’
Exciting: The new album will feature ten brand-new, unheard songs, and the 15-track record is set for a September 2021 release
Steps split in 2001 after achieving fourteen consecutive top 5 singles, sold over 20 million records and reached Number One with three albums and three singles.
They are BRIT award winning and hold the record for the most consecutive sold-out nights at Wembley.
After a brief reunion in 2011, they embarked on a sell-out 12 date arena tour and the releasing their fourth album, before going on hiatus.
Steps dominated the charts in the 90s and early 00’s with hits such as 5,6,7,8, Tragedy, Better The Devil You Know and Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart.
They were due to tour their new album What the Future Holds Pt 1 but were forced to postpone it because of the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Performing live has always been our favourite part of being in Steps. We had the most fun of our career on tour,’ the band told Daily Mail Australia in September.
Stars: Steps split in 2001 after fourteen consecutive top 5 singles, sold over 20 million records and reached Number One with three albums and three singles (pictured in 1998)