Who is Irene Major? Billionaire Babies star and mum of six who says she’s been lightening her skin for years
We take a look at the life of the singer and model, plus find out what she has said about lightening her skin
IRENE Major is known for her lavish lifestyle thanks to starring on Billionaire babies.
But what else is there to know about her? And does she lighten her skin? Here's what we know...
Who is Irene major?
Irene Major, 38, was born October 22, 1979 and is a British-Cameroonian singer, model and activist.
In Cameroon, Irene was a model and was also crowned Miss Lions Cameroon 1995.
From Cameroon, she moved first to Paris and then to the UK.
In 2012 she set up the pop group Major in 2012 with her sister Elsa.
In 2014 Irene auditioned for X Factor and got though to the six chair challenge with Louis Walsh as her mentor.
She is also currently the star of Channel 5 show Billionaire Babies.
Is Irene married? Does she have children?
Irène is married to oil and gas tycoon Sam Malin.
She has six children.
Her eldest is Samantha (born 2000), then Lulu-Marie (born 2007), Pearl (born 2010), Lincoln (born 2011), Mona-Swan (born 2015) and Noah (born 2017).
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Does Irene lighten her skin?
Irene Major has been public about using creams to lighten her skin colour.
Speaking to the Daily Mail she said: “When my skin is lighter, I just feel prettier”.
She continued: “It’s a taboo subject, and people get judgemental about it, but that’s how I feel.
"A skin-lightening regime has been part of my life practically since birth.
"There are many different types of African skin — from dark charcoal to a lighter version — and you grow up knowing that the lighter ladies are the prettier ones.
"It’s just a fact. Just look at all the pop stars whose skin has got so much lighter over the years. Many celebrities do it. We’re just turning a blind eye to it.”