Katja Mia: 'Body image consumed my life — I was always a bit bigger than my friends'

Katja Mia is resilient, strong and empowered – but it doesn’t mean she is immune from hurtful comments on social media. She speaks from the heart with Mary Cate Smith

Katja Mia. Pictures: Nina Val

One of the most powerful moments on television this year was when Dancing with the Stars judge Loraine Barry responded to the weight-shaming of Katja Mia.

From dancing the samba to scouting musical talent and modelling skincare for Maya Jama, the 27-year-old Burundian-Irish woman is one to watch for 2024 and she’s not afraid to show her vulnerable side.

Staring down the lens, Barry spoke directly to the trolls, saying; “All ladies and men, whatever shape or size, they have the right to dance.”

Katja wiped tears from her eyes as she let the world champion’s words sink in.

It’s not the first time she has been down this road; having to justify her existence in a world that polices women’s bodies and deems women like Selena Gomez as “plus-sized.”

Is she resilient, strong and empowered? Yes. But is she immune from the hurt those comments inflict? No. She is after all, only human.

“It’s hard,” she says, “but if we try every day to have a positive talk with ourselves [it helps]. Being conscious of it is the first step. On the shit days, that does really come in handy, that mental work that you’ve done to make yourself feel better.”

“You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough.”

Those words spoken by America Ferrera in the Barbie movie are ringing in my ears as I reference the monologue. Katja tries not to let the haters “have power” over her but there was a time when she felt just that — not good enough.

“It’s honestly consumed my life — body image. From as young as I can remember, probably 12 or 13, I was always a bit bigger than my friends. I wasn’t obese but I developed boobs and hips early on. 

"I did not look like my friends and I hated it. I would wear really long tops to cover my bum — it’s actually mad.”

Katja Mia on the set of the Six O'Clock Show: Picture: Nina Val

Whether it’s marvelling at Kim Kardashian’s glass-holding ass (see Paper magazine’s 2014 cover) or Lizzo unlocking new belfie poses, multiple studies prove that gluteus maximus continues to have its moment. Katja’s boyfriend, Daragh Curran AKA The Guinness Guru heartily agrees.

“If I ever want to lose weight, my boyfriend is like; ‘Don’t lose your bum.’ You’d be just thinking of the jeans you want to fit into.”

The couple live together in Dublin and he is a big supporter of hers, she says, whether it’s in her personal or professional life — he’s always there.

“He is so proud of me. Because we live together, he knows everything I’m feeling. On Dancing with the Stars, he was hoping I don’t fall. That sigh of relief I feel? He does too.”

Katja put on a significant amount of weight during the pandemic, like most people furloughed or working from home.

“I gained about two stone during covid and it’s been hard. I haven’t gotten back to my 2019 weight but sometimes I think; ‘Right, I have to accept this and be positive — just love every version of yourself.

“Our bodies are just going to keep changing, whether we go through pregnancy or menopause or whatever, weight constantly changes. The less pressure we put on ourselves to care about it — that will help go through those changes a bit better. But yeah, at least our boyfriends still like big butts.”

As a fellow wig wearer, I am obsessed with Katja’s hairstyles and am convinced she is hiding secrets in those tresses.

Whether it was the elegant updo with soft face-framing layers in week five or the iconic faux hawk of week two, the one thing I need to know is how she keeps her hair secure when she’s dancing.

“The fear is very real,” Katja says.

“If my wig came loose, I would literally run home. I’d be in tears…on the ground. Do not expect me to keep dancing. I definitely have moments where I am so scared my wig is going to come off but I have a hairstylist, Stephanie Nwambu (@callahcrowns on Instagram) and she’s amazing.”

Katja Mia: 'I gained about two stone during covid and it’s been hard' Picture: Nina Val

Within five minutes I’ve jotted down Katja’s glue recommendation (Prohair Labs Ghost Bond) and garnered a slew of tips. A cool combination of professionalism, ease and a tendency to ramble is surely what made her the perfect fit to co-host The Six O’Clock Show with Brian Dowling.

So, how did she do it? By turning one of her self-perceived flaws into her greatest strength.

“Growing up, my mum used to call me a parrot because I just opened my mouth and would talk, talk, talk. I’d tell everyone her business.

“I’d often think’ ‘why can’t I be one of those cool, mysterious girls?’ I open my mouth and it’s word vomit so often. I’m a professional oversharer but I like to think it has got me somewhere so I wear that title with pride now.”

Admitting she often gets starstruck, (she babbled in tongues when meeting Eileen Dunne) she had to hone in those nerves for her audition for The Six O’Clock Show.

“My first screen test for Ireland AM was seven minutes long and I had to come up with the material. It was really scary because it was my first interaction with a TV network of that scale.”

That’s where the chatty Kathy turned up trumps.

“If there’s a moment during an interview where it goes silent, you just have to improvise. So being an oversharer can work in your favour when you’re in this field. I’m all for it.”

A long-time stan of the Big Brother winner, Katja was nervous to be working with such a veteran in the field and Brian is a consummate professional, she says.

“I really do love him and admire his work ethic. It’s been amazing to see someone that is just as relevant if not more so than he was 20 years ago.” Brian treats everyone with equal respect but that doesn’t mean he’s averse to a bit of banter either.

“I wish we could have a behind-the-scenes thing — we have such a great laugh. He tells me even though I’m new to this — my voice is still important — my voice matters — and to have a true friend in this industry — you can’t put a price on that.”

Six O’Clock Show Host Katja Mia dancing with her Partner Ervinas Merfeldas during Dancing with the Stars Picture: Kyran O’Brien

Katja was glued to MTV as a teenager watching music videos so it’s no surprise she landed the role of presenter for Virgin Media and Hot Press’ new music show, Uprising.

“Music is just such a big love of mine. So being able to blend telly work and music was a win-win for me.” Uprising is a four-part music series of up-and-coming artists and established artists like Hozier, Imelda May and Picture This.

“I got to interview the artists playing on-site in The Complex. They talk mental health, women in showbiz, body dysmorphia. They speak with so much heart.” 

Speaking to other people in the public eye about trolling has certainly helped Katja but she can take the heat from those she respects, especially when it means striving to do and be better.

She laughs, remembering a comment from Brian Redmond, calling her “slightly pigeon-toed.”

“It might sound strange but I can take it; I’ve pretty thick skin. The judges are coming from the field of expertise. Now I look in the mirror and I’m like; ‘Jesus, my feet do actually turn inward.” So [that constructive criticism] is what I actually live for.”

As a curve model and public figure, Katja exudes confidence but it wasn’t always like that.

Signed to 1st Option Model Management, an amazing opportunity came to Katja in the shape of a body positivity paid partnership with Dove and Nike. 

A true testament to “the mental work” she does in the form of kind self-talk and manifesting, Katja says booking the campaign was “fabulous”. Women are doing amazing things in so many different fields, she says.

“Women go through enough. On top of that, we’re criticising ourselves about what we look like. 

"It was really important for me to take a beat and tap into how I felt as a teenager. I used to take dance classes but I dropped out of them because I wasn’t comfortable in myself. So many young girls drop out of sports teams in their early teens and I wanted to highlight that.”

As a role model for black women in Ireland, Katja was thrilled to be asked to co-host the Black and Irish Gala Awards last December with Vanessa Ogbonna. She proudly borrowed her mother’s Burundian traditional dress for the ceremony.

“The black community in Ireland is doing amazing things right now. You forget the impact it has on younger black girls and black boys to see someone that looks like them on TV.”

While Katja certainly wasn’t expected to become a spokesperson for anti-racism, she did feel obliged to address the anti-immigrant sentiment conjured by the Dublin riots in November last.

Proud to be an Irish immigrant, Katja was just a baby when her parents fled war-torn Burundi.

In response to the chaos that ensued seemingly in response to the stabbing of three children and their care assistant, Katja said that the violence had “absolutely nothing” to do with immigrants.

While trolling and racism could overshadow an incredible career, Katja is adamant about celebrating the small successes and there’s one moment that will resonate with her forever.

“I was in town and this young black girl tugged on her mum’s coat and the mum came up to me and was like; ‘She loves you. She watches you all the time.’ I mean, it was so cute. I felt like crying. 

"Making young black girls feel seen is really special.”