Mai FM star Alex ‘HOW I LEARNT TO LOVE MYSELF'

The radio diva and budding singer reveals why she ended a controlling relationship

- Cloe Willetts

When Mai FM host Alex King dived into a law degree five years ago, the future she envisioned didn’t include a full-time job in radio or a hit song about an abusive relationship.

Although the presenter loved acting and music, she vowed to stay away from the entertainment industry she saw growing up as the daughter of comedian-turned-mental health advocate Mike King.

“I loved singing and drama, but I wanted to detour from all of that and choose a career that wasn’t down Dad’s lane,” explains the talented vocalist, 23, who recently released her debut single When It’s Over.

“I’m really proud of him and have been his number-one fan since I was born, but it’s intrusive being a child and having people come up to your dad for a photo while you’re having breakfast.”

Back then, she didn’t understand Mike’s celebrity status. “He called it ‘look at the monkey’ and told me people wanted pictures with him because he looked funny,” recalls Alex, who hosts the Mai Home Run with Brook Ruscoe and Fame Teu. “I believed him!”

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When she decided to study law after high school, Alex’s family and friends were surprised. “I’ll be honest – my dad wasn’t too hot on it because he always thought I was going to go do drama,” she shares. “Throughout school, I chose all the music and acting subjects, so he knew it was something I loved.”

Alex – who was raised between Auckland and Northland’s WaipÅ« – began dating a fellow student soon after she started university, but as the months passed, her seemingly lovely boyfriend started to change.