Ashley Roberts celebrates 43rd birthday in sequined mini dress at Mimi Mei Fair, opens up about industry toll

Ashley Roberts celebrated her 43rd birthday with a starry look at Mimi Mei Fair in London on Friday, stepping out in a backless, halter-neck sparkly mini dress that cascaded in black sequins. She completed the look with classic black strappy stilettos and carried a black Burberry bag as she arrived at the high-end restaurant and appeared in high spirits.

Janette Manrara joined the celebration in a gold sparkly mini dress, while Kimberly Wyatt offered a pop of color in a pink dress. The trio's appearance underscored a night of celebration for the former Pussycat Doll, who has built a name in the UK since leaving the group.

Roberts, who joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003 at age 22 and later moved to London after the group split in 2010, has spoken publicly about the toll of the music industry on her mental health. She discussed these issues in a recent appearance on Daily Mail columnist Bryony Gordon's podcast, The Life of Bryony, and in a forthcoming book that translates hard-won lessons from her past into practical strategies for mental and physical health.

In the podcast, Roberts described a moment when her body began to fail during a Dolls tour stop in Germany. She recalled, "The pain was unreal. I also felt really sick. We were supposed to do a show in Germany the next day, so I called my manager—who told me to go to the hospital. The doctors thought I'd had a brain aneurysm. When I went to have an MRI, my knee locked up, and that was viral arthritis entering my body." The singer said the experience highlighted the brutal, sometimes dehumanizing pressures of an era when mental health was rarely discussed openly. "The early 2000s was a whole different era honey. No one ever spoke about mental health or the importance of checking in."

Roberts emphasized that she has seen a shift in recent years, with more artists taking time off when needed and prioritizing wellbeing. She said breathwork became a cornerstone of her coping toolkit after the Dolls' split, helping her manage anxiety and regain balance as she rebuilt her career in the UK.

After the Dolls disbanded in 2010, Roberts finished as the runner-up on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2012 and settled in London on a more permanent basis. She described feeling spiritually lost at times before turning to breathwork, which she says created a sense of calm she could not find elsewhere. "I stopped dancing completely after the Dolls; I wanted to explore new directions," she said. "Breath work gave me a tool to slow the inner chaos and reflect."

The performer has since focused on mental and physical health through her work and public appearances, including promoting her forthcoming book that compiles the lessons she has learned from her difficult years. Roberts added that the experience of losing her father further reinforced the importance of staying grounded and taking care of her wellbeing. "When my dad died, that ability to reflect gave me the motivation to stay strong—and I want to share that."

The birthday night out at Mimi Mei Fair comes as Roberts continues to chart a path that blends performance with wellness advocacy, a theme she says resonates with fans who have asked for practical guidance on managing stress and maintaining balance under the pressures of fame.