Myleene Klass Breaks Down at Daughter Ava’s Graduation, Reflects on Single Motherhood

Myleene Klass has revealed she broke down in tears during her daughter’s graduation ceremony after viewing it as the culmination of a long and difficult journey through single parenthood. 

The presenter, 47, beamed with pride as talented pianist Ava, 17, graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy Of Music over the weekend. 

Myleene raises Ava and daughter Hero, 13, from her former marriage to Graham Quinn and son Apollo, five, with her fiancé Simon Motson. 

She was initially forced to raise her two eldest children alone after Quinn walked out on the presenter on her 35th birthday in 2013, just two years after their wedding. 

Recalling her early struggles in a lengthy Instagram tribute to Ava, Myleene admitted she felt ‘lonely, fearful and as though the world was against her’ as she adapted to life on her own. 

Accompanying her post with a handful of graduation photos, Myleene stunned in a black gown which featured cream fabric pleats – a dress she reused from her appearance at the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning global film premiere in London in May.

Myleene Klass has revealed she broke down in tears during her daughter’s graduation ceremony after viewing it as the culmination of a long and difficult journey through parenthood

The presenter beamed with pride as talented pianist Ava, 17, graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy Of Music over the weekend 

Meanwhile Ava, who attended the Royal Academy Of Music, cut a classic display in a red fitted floor-length gown which featured a meter long train. 

‘My daughter Ava has finally graduated high school,’ she wrote. ‘I haven’t cried so much in ages. It’s because I know our journey. 

‘And because of this, I wanted to acknowledge today in particular, the single Mamas (I know there are single dads but I can only speak from my own experience).

‘Like you, there were days bringing up Ava (and Hero) where it felt the world was fighting against us and I was very much on my own. 

‘We have an amazing community around us but as a single mum when they were so young, the fear, the loneliness, the decision making, the mental load before everything else is considered, can really overwhelm.

‘There were people who wanted to see me fail and to them as well as the majority who wanted to see us win, thank you for spurring me on.’ 

She added: ‘Today is recognition of what we have achieved, I had no intention of failing my children. Ava, I have single handedly grafted so that you might have the best I could give you and you have in turn risen up and grabbed everything with gusto, determination and resilience. 

‘You are fiesty, fearless and stronger than I could have ever imagined yet soft, loving and kind in equal measure.

Myleene raises Ava and daughter Hero, 13, from her former marriage to Graham Quinn and son Apollo, five, with her fiancé Simon Motson (L-R: Myleene, Apollo, Simon, Ava and Hero) 

She was initially forced to raise her two eldest children alone after Quinn walked out on the presenter on her 35th birthday in 2013, just two years after their wedding (pictured in 2005) 

Accompanying her post with a handful of graduation photos, Myleene stunned in a black gown which featured cream fabric pleats 

‘In the days I wondered where I would get the strength, it came from my girls. When they worry about me and how much I take on, I remind them, I’m forged from the fire. Single Mamas, I see you and so do our babies. Well done, keep on keeping on x

‘And to my eldest daughter, my Ava bear, my day one, my forever love, thank you for choosing me to be your Mama.

‘You are talented, smart, intuitive and an exceptional human being. My sun rises and sets with you. Go out and see the world on your terms babygirl. Just remember to come home every once in a while to tell Mama all about it. X 

‘Klass of 2025, Dismissed’

Meanwhile Ava, who attended the Royal Academy Of Music, cut a classic display in a red fitted floor-length gown which featured a meter long train

Alongside her post, Myleene penned: ‘My daughter Ava has finally graduated high school. ‘I haven’t cried so much in ages. It’s because I know our journey’

Ava has previously showcased her incredible musical abilities as she appeared alongside her mother on Good Morning Britain to play the cello in 2023. 

Myleene explained she was ‘so proud’ of her daughter as they delivered a stunning piano performance of The Pogues’ Fairytale Of New York on the breakfast show.

Showing that she’s inherited her mother’s classical talents, Ava impressed with the moving cello performance, with Myleene admitting it made her feel ’emotional.’

Ava said: ‘I always wanted to be like her [Myleene] I’d dress like her and want to play like her. I am getting emotional; I am so proud.’

The pair’s performance was praised by viewers, with one posting: ‘Is it only me that gets emotional watching parents performing with their kids awww. I think it’s priceless (heart melting).’

A second added: ‘Absolutely beautiful and heartwarming.’

The star previously shared that Ava sat her cello diploma at the age of 14, and earned herself a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music.

Writing on Instagram, she said: ‘Proud Mum alert. Today @pianos_our_forte took her Cello Diploma exam. (She’ll kill me for saying this, but for context, muso’s usually take their Grade 8’s at 16 (she took 2 at 12) and Diplomas at 17/18, she’s taking two at 14),’ Myleene wrote alongside snaps of her and Ava outside the examination room.

‘She is phenomenally dedicated, super talented and conscientious, but ultimately, this girl is kind.’ 

‘I couldn’t be more proud of her and cheering her on, driving her to her exams and sobbing as I sit in the waiting room hearing her play her heart out is nothing short of a privilege,’ the proud mum gushed.

Myleene then revealed that ‘Ava’s joining @royalacademyofmusic in a few weeks and we’ll be there cheering her on every step of the way.’

Ava has previously showcased her incredible musical abilities as she appeared alongside her mother on Good Morning Britain to play the cello in 2023 

Myleene explained she was ‘so proud’ of her daughter as they delivered a stunning piano performance of The Pogues’ Fairytale Of New York on the breakfast show 

 Ava said: ‘I always wanted to be like her [Myleene] I’d dress like her and want to play like her’

The pair’s performance was praised by viewers, with one posting: ‘Is it only me that gets emotional watching parents performing with their kids awww’

Myleene previously shared that Ava sat her cello diploma at the age of 14 , and earned herself a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music 

‘To the people who think Ava’s amazing because I can play the piano, I can only help, I can’t play it for her! This is her achievement.

‘To the kids out there sacrificing their time in practice rooms, feeling the frustration, the worry of extra exams the blisters on their fingers and the mums ferrying them around, I see you.’

‘You are part of the best tribe ever. You’ve taken the harder route but we’re here for the Marathon, not the sprint. Muso’s rock.’

In March 2023, Myleene also shared her pride as Ava performed at her ‘first official concert’ with Martin Clunes.

The proud mum captured parts of the talented teens rehearsals and the show for the Royal Academy of Music which included the Doc Martin actor, 61. 

Myleene said Ava ‘absolutely smashed’ her performance and ‘forgets she is only 15’ as the dedicated teenager took her Grade 8 piano exam when she was only 12-years-old.

She penned: ‘My babygirl @pianos_our_forte played her first official concert for the @royalacademyofmusic this weekend.’ 

The presenter joked she got to play ‘momager’ for the weekend as she steamed her daughters dress for the occasion and took her to rehearsals.  

In March 2023, Myleene also shared her pride as Ava performed at her ‘first official concert’ with Martin Clunes 

She continued: ‘I got to play ‘Momager’ sticking music together, driving Ava to rehearsals and steaming her dress.

‘She absolutely smashed it playing one of two monster pianos with #MiaWepener, #DorsetChamberOrchestra and #MartinClunes narrating. Musical Director of pianos, @duncanhoneybourne

‘Watching her play, it’s easy to forget she’s still only 15. Most take grade 8 in their late teens. She took two at 12 and then a diploma.’

Myleene added: ‘She is no nepo baby. She’s talented, works incredibly hard and is supremely dedicated. Ava bear, whatever you choose to do in life, wherever you go, we are all behind you, the entire cheer squad, your family, lead by your proud Mama’.