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Jennifer Ellison
Jennifer Ellison
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Jennifer Lesley Ellison is an English actress, former glamour model, television personality, dancer and singer. Ellison is perhaps best known for playing Emily Shadwick in the television soap opera Brookside until 2003, and as Meg Giry in the 2004 film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera. Ellison also starred on the reality television show Dance Mums with Jennifer Ellison, the UK version of the American show Dance Moms.

Key Information

Career

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Dance

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Ellison studied dance from the age of three, first at a dance school in Liverpool, then later[when?] at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance in St Helens.[1] She has achieved examination passes with the Royal Academy of Dance and appeared on instructional videos for the academy. She has also taken examinations with the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) and won Ballet and Modern Dance titles at the IDTA Theatre Dance Championships in 1996 and 1997, and in addition was awarded the Carl Alan Award for ballet in 1998. Choosing to pursue a professional career in dance, she successfully auditioned for the Royal Ballet Lower School.[2] She left dance to pursue acting.

In 2012, Ellison was a contestant on Dancing on Ice and made it to the semi-final stages. She hosted the UK version of Dance Moms on Lifetime, Dance Mums with Jennifer Ellison in 2014–15.

Television

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From 1998 to 2002, Ellison played Emily Shadwick in the soap opera Brookside. Her character was 'killed off' when she fell from a window during a robbery. In 2003, Ellison appeared in the travel documentary Jennifer Ellison does Thailand and in 2004, she appeared on the reality television show Hell's Kitchen, which she then went on to win. In 2005, she appeared on the celebrity challenge show With a Little Help From My Friends.

In spring 2007, Ellison appeared in the BBC reality TV show The Verdict, based on a fictional courtroom, alongside the likes of Jeffrey Archer and Sara Payne. That same year, she appeared as a judge on Dirty Dancing – Time of your Life a United States–based reality television show for the Living TV network. By December of that year, Ellison began appearing as a guest panellist on the ITV daytime show Loose Women.[3]

Additionally, Ellison has also acted in episodes of the British television series The Brief, Hotel Babylon, New Street Law and The Commander. In September 2008, she appeared in a 2-hour long show, called Ghosthunting with Paul O'Grady & Friends, filmed in Sicily, with fellow Liverpudlians Paul O'Grady, Philip Olivier and Natasha Hamilton.[3]

Music

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After success in television and men's magazines, Ellison pursued a pop music career. She released two pop rock singles before giving this venture up for acting and glamour modelling.[4] Her first single was "Baby I Don't Care", released in June 2003, which reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart.[5] The song was originally released by Transvision Vamp in 1989.[6] The following year in July, after being brought back into the public eye after winning Hell's Kitchen, Ellison released her second single, "Bye Bye Boy" – originally recorded by the Japanese singer Nanase Aikawa – which reached No. 13 in the UK chart.[5][7]

Single discography

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Year Song[5] UK Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart
2003 "Baby I Don't Care" 6 8
2004 "Bye Bye Boy" 13 8

Theatre

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In 2004, Ellison had a run in the London West End theatre version of the musical Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre playing the leading role of Roxie Hart and reprised the role from 10 July to 9 August 2006, this time at the Cambridge Theatre.[8] Ellison was actually supposed to finish on 12 August, but was forced to pull out three days early due to a knee injury.[citation needed] Ellison subsequently toured Britain in Chicago from 25 September 2006 until 5 May 2007.[citation needed] On 1 October 2007, Ellison joined the cast of a revival of Boeing Boeing at the Comedy Theatre, London, playing the part of Gloria, an American air stewardess working for the airline TWA.[citation needed]

On 5 December 2007, she featured in a 10th Anniversary Gala performance of Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre alongside a galaxy of stars[citation needed] and on 16 December 2007, she played "Angel" in Liverpool Nativity, a contemporary retelling of the Christmas story for BBC Three which was performed live from the streets of the city.[9][10]

Ellison featured in the Liverpool Empire Theatre's pantomime version of Cinderella for 2008, opposite Cilla Black and Les Dennis.[11]

She also played Beth in Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds at major arenas of the UK in June 2009.[12]

Ellison appeared in the July – October 2010 UK tour of the stage adaption of the film Calendar Girls.[13] The same year she appeared at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, in its pantomime Robinson Crusoe.[14] As well as these, she was on the UK tour company of Legally Blonde The Musical, playing the role of 'Paulette'.

In 2012, Ellison appeared in Peter Pan at the Churchill Theatre Bromley alongside Gemma Hunt, Ace Bhatti and Andrew Agnew. From 18 February 2013, she joined Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre, London. Ellison joined the cast to play silent movie screen siren and owner of a voice never meant for the ‘talkies’, Lina Lamont.[15]

Ellison was cast in the pantomime of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,[16] at the Theatre Royal, Norwich throughout December 2015 to January 2016.[17]

Show Role Additional Notes
Chicago Roxie Hart West End, UK Tour
Boeing-Boeing Gloria Comedy Theatre, West End
Calendar Girls Celia UK Tour
Cinderella Cinderella Liverpool Empire Theatre
The War of the Worlds Beth UK Arena Tour
Calendar Girls Cora UK Tour
Robinson Crusoe Polly Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent
Legally Blonde Paulette UK Tour
Peter Pan Peter Pan Churchill Theatre Bromley
Singin' in the Rain Lina Lamont Palace Theatre West End
Sleeping Beauty Carabosse Blackpool Grand Theatre

Film

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Ellison made her international film debut as Meg Giry in the 2004 film version of the stage musical The Phantom of the Opera, although her lines were dubbed over. She also starred in the English horror film The Cottage, which was released in the UK on 14 March 2008.[18]

Modelling and magazine appearances

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Ellison was featured in Maxim magazine's "Girls of Maxim"[19] gallery. Her photos appeared regularly in British "lads' mags" including Nuts, Zoo Weekly and FHM. Ellison took over, from Jordan, a contract with lingerie giant Ultimo for its "Young Attitude" line. Though Ultimo boss Michelle Mone had chosen Jordan for being "sexy, fun and outgoing," she later changed her mind, stating, "Jordan was just the wrong choice for [us]. Jennifer is a far better option and far classier."[20] In 2005, Ellison was voted world's sexiest blonde by readers of the UK magazine Nuts, beating model Victoria Silvstedt, who came second, and pop superstar Britney Spears.[citation needed] Ellison was also a regular in the yearly FHM "100 Sexiest Women in the World" feature.

Other ventures

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Ellison's studios in Edge Lane, Wavertree

In 2006, Ellison released Jennifer Ellison's West End Workout, a fitness DVD which combined her love of dance with exercise routines.[citation needed]. In December 2011, she then released a second fitness DVD Jennifer Ellison's Fat Blaster Workout.[21]

She is a winner of the Carl Alan Award in the ballet category for 1998,[22] an industry award voted for by dance professionals.[citation needed]

She took part in the 2012 TV series Dancing on Ice. Ellison and professional partner Daniel Whiston ended up in fourth place after being voted out in the semi-final.[23]

In May 2013, it was announced that Jennifer Ellison would join Liverpool's Radio City 96.7 to co-present a new Sunday morning Breakfast show alongside Drivetime Presenter Dave Kelly, for an initial five-week period until she was due to give birth.

Personal life

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Ellison attended Broughton Hall High School, a Catholic school for girls.[citation needed] She then attended St Edward's College for Sixth Form.[24] She has two younger half-sisters. Her parents, Kevin May and Jane, separated in 1986.[citation needed] Her mother remarried.[when?][citation needed] She is close to her mother and stepfather David.[25][26]

Ellison and boxer Robbie Tickle began dating in May 2008, and were engaged in October of that year while on holiday in the Maldives.[27] The following year they were married, with the ceremony being performed in Mauritius on 10 October 2009.[28]

Ellison has three children. On 4 February 2010 she gave birth to her first son.[29] Her second pregnancy came to her as a surprise. Ellison said: "I didn't even know I was pregnant until four weeks ago, and I'm almost five months gone now. I can't believe I'm having another baby in July. It's been a massive shock." On 9 July 2013, she gave birth to her second son. On 26 September 2014, she gave birth to her third son.[citation needed]

In May 2018, Ellison was paid an undisclosed sum by Mirror Group Newspapers as settlement for phone-hacking.[30]

Ellison is a supporter of Everton FC.[31]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jennifer Ellison (born 30 May 1983) is an English actress, former glamour model, dancer, singer, television personality, and entrepreneur, best known for her breakout role as the rebellious teenager Shadwick in the soap opera Brookside from 1998 to 2003. Born in to a broken home—her parents separated when she was three—Ellison showed early talent in dance, winning the National Ballet and Modern Dance Championships in both 1996 and 1997 before transitioning to acting. Her Brookside portrayal of , a character involved in dramatic storylines including teen pregnancy and family conflicts, catapulted her to national fame as a icon during the soap's later years. Ellison's career expanded into reality television and film in the mid-2000s; she won the inaugural UK series of Hell's Kitchen in 2004, showcasing her culinary skills under intense pressure, and made her Hollywood debut as the ballet dancer Meg Giry in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Joel Schumacher. Subsequent film roles included the horror-comedy The Cottage (2008), where she played a kidnapped woman. On stage, she portrayed Paulette in Legally Blonde the Musical during its UK tour and later returned to musical theatre in 2023 as Rachel, a single mother, in the Take That jukebox production Greatest Days, marking her first such role in over a decade. In 2022, she appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, crediting the experience with helping her overcome personal challenges after feeling she had "given up" on herself. Beyond performing, Ellison has ventured into business, founding Jelli Studios, a performing arts academy in , where she teaches and supports young talents. In her , she married former semi-professional boxer and businessman Rob Tickle in a private ceremony in on 10 October 2009; the couple has three sons together—Bobby (born 4 February 2010), Harry (born 2013), and Charlie (born 2014)—while she is also stepmother to Tickle's two adult daughters from a previous relationship. Ellison has spoken openly about battling postnatal depression after her pregnancies and prioritizing family over fame, leading to a more low-key lifestyle in recent years.

Early life and education

Early life

Jennifer Ellison was born on 30 May 1983 in Liverpool, England. Her biological parents separated when she was three years old. She was raised in Liverpool by her mother Jane, a school administrator, and her stepfather David, a taxi driver, along with her younger sister Jemma, forming a close-knit family that emphasized staying grounded amid her emerging interests. From an early age, Ellison showed a strong passion for performance, particularly , which she discovered at three years old after being inspired by the film Annie. Her mother noticed her constant dancing around the house and supported her by enrolling her in initial classes at a local school in , fostering her budding aspirations in the . This family encouragement and early exposure to laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to the field, shaping her childhood experiences in the vibrant cultural environment of .

Education and dance training

Ellison attended Broughton Hall Catholic High School for Girls in during her and later transferred to for her studies. She began her dance training at the age of three at a local school in before advancing to the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance in St Helens, where she received classical training in . Her early dedication led to notable achievements, including victories in the North West, English, and British dance championships, as well as the National Ballet and Championships in and 1997. Ellison continued her ballet education with the Royal Ballet School until the age of 16 and trained under the Royal Academy of syllabus, earning 11 O-levels and four A-levels alongside her pursuits.

Career

Dance

Ellison's professional dance career began in her teenage years, establishing her expertise in contemporary and styles through competitions and performances. In 2014, Ellison founded Jelli Studios in as a premier and school dedicated to training children in elite-level and . The studio quickly became a hub for young talent, emphasizing rigorous and preparation, and featured prominently in the reality series (2014–2015), where she served as overseeing competitive routines and team dynamics. On 24, 2025, Jelli Studios suffered a break-in in the early hours, captured on CCTV showing a masked intruder forcing entry through a side . Among the stolen items were children's s, bicycles, laptops, a , and personal belongings used by students, prompting Ellison to publicly share the footage and offer a substantial cash reward for information leading to the culprit's identification. confirmed the theft of two bikes, the computer, and an , with ongoing investigations as of late 2025. Ellison expressed devastation over the impact on her young pupils, highlighting the studio's role in fostering their passion for dance amid the violation.

Television

Jennifer Ellison gained prominence through her role as the troubled teenager Emily Shadwick in the soap opera Brookside, appearing from 1998 to 2003 and portraying a character involved in dramatic storylines including family conflicts and personal struggles. Her performance as Emily, who evolved from a rebellious to a more mature figure, contributed to her early fame in British television, with the series' setting resonating with her own background. Following her soap opera success, Ellison transitioned to reality television, winning the inaugural celebrity edition of Hell's Kitchen on ITV in 2004, where she competed against other stars under chef Gordon Ramsay's supervision and was crowned champion after demonstrating culinary skills in high-pressure challenges. This victory marked her shift toward personality-driven formats, showcasing her resilience and adaptability beyond scripted roles. She later participated in Dancing on Ice series 7 on ITV in 2012, partnering with professional skater Daniel Whiston and reaching the semi-finals despite a notable on-ice injury that required medical attention during a live performance. In 2014, Ellison hosted the UK adaptation of Dance Mums on Lifetime, titled , filming at her Jelli Studios in and following competitive young dancers and their mothers through rehearsals and competitions over two seasons. The series highlighted her expertise as a dancer and studio owner, blending mentorship with behind-the-scenes drama. More recently, she appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins series 4 on in 2022, enduring intense physical and psychological tests, including a publicized on-screen altercation with co-contestant during a exercise that left both emotional and drew attention to interpersonal dynamics under stress. These appearances underscore her ongoing presence in reality TV, evolving from dramatic acting to formats emphasizing endurance and personal revelation.

Film

Jennifer Ellison made her feature film debut in Joel Schumacher's adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Phantom of the Opera (2004), where she portrayed Meg Giry, the loyal friend and ballet dancer who supports the protagonist Christine Daaé. Cast after auditioning with her extensive dance training, Ellison's selection emphasized her skills as a professional dancer, which aligned with Meg's role in the corps de ballet. During production at Pinewood Studios, director Schumacher reportedly struggled to understand her thick Liverpool accent, leading to frequent clarifications on set. The film received mixed reviews overall, with praise for its lavish visuals and production design but criticism for the leads' vocal performances; Ellison's supporting role as Meg was noted for its energetic presence in dance sequences, though some critics found the character underdeveloped. Ellison's next and most prominent film role came in the British horror-comedy The Cottage (2008), directed by , where she starred as Tracey, a feisty and foul-mouthed victim who turns the tables on her captors in a remote rural setting. In an interview, Ellison described preparing for the part by embracing Tracey's independence and toughness, contrasting typical "" tropes to highlight the character's resourcefulness amid escalating chaos involving a . The film garnered positive critical reception for its blend of humor, gore, and suspense, earning a 71% approval rating on from 17 reviews, with Variety calling it a "lively if programmatic horror pic" and Screen Daily praising its "blithely chaotic retro" style. performance was modest, with a reported of £2.5 million and a worldwide gross of approximately $1.6 million, primarily from the market where it earned $1.4 million. Following The Cottage, Ellison did not appear in any additional feature films, marking a brief cinematic career that spanned primarily the mid-2000s. She shifted focus to theatre productions, television presenting, and dance-related ventures after , with no further on-screen film roles documented in major credits. This transition reflected her broader entertainment pursuits beyond cinema, leveraging her dance expertise and television fame from earlier in her career.

Theatre

Ellison made her West End debut in 2004, taking on the role of Roxie Hart in the long-running musical Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre, where she performed for nine weeks from September 20. Her performance as the ambitious nightclub singer marked a significant step in her stage career, drawing on her dance background to navigate the show's demanding choreography. In 2005, Ellison appeared in a revival of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the Gielgud Theatre, portraying Candy, the prostitute brought into the asylum storyline, opposite Christian Slater as Randle McMurphy. This dramatic role showcased her versatility beyond musical theatre, highlighting her ability to handle intense ensemble dynamics in a non-musical production. In 2012, Ellison joined the UK tour of Legally Blonde the Musical as Paulette, the sassy salon owner and Elle Woods' friend, performing from July to October alongside Faye Brookes as Elle and Gareth Gates as Warner. Ellison returned to the stage periodically for seasons, embracing family-friendly roles that leveraged her roots. She starred as in the 2008 production at the Liverpool Empire Theatre alongside and , enduring a minor injury during rehearsals but completing the run. Subsequent pantomimes included the wicked fairy Carabosse in at Blackpool's Grand Theatre in 2014. In 2024, she joined Imagine Theatre's at in , performing alongside presenter Ben Cajee and comedian John Evans from December through early 2025. In 2023, Ellison portrayed Rachel, a single mother, in the jukebox musical during its tour, joining the cast in August as an adult version of the character and performing through the season's run. Transitioning from television to presented challenges for Ellison, particularly in building stamina for eight-show weeks and adapting to live audiences without retakes. She underwent vocal training to meet the demands of musical roles, crediting her early dance discipline for easing the physical aspects, though she described returning to the stage after a decade away as "nerve-wracking" yet exhilarating. These experiences underscored her success in sustaining a multifaceted performance career.

Music

In 2003, Jennifer Ellison ventured into music by signing with Records and releasing her debut single, a cover of Transvision Vamp's "". The track, produced by , peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and spent eight weeks in the top 40. The accompanying , directed by , featured Ellison in a retro-inspired setting and contributed to the single's promotion through television airplay. Her follow-up single, "Bye Bye Boy"—an English adaptation of Japanese artist Nanase Aikawa's "Bye Bye"—was released in 2004 under after a label change. It reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, marking a decline in commercial performance compared to her debut, and also charted at number 8 in Ireland. The music video depicted Ellison in a narrative of heartbreak and empowerment, while promotional efforts included live performances on programs such as CD:UK and . Ellison's music career was short-lived, with plans for a full album ultimately shelved following the underwhelming reception of her second single; she was dropped by her label and announced her departure from in early 2005 to focus on . Overall, her two releases demonstrated moderate chart success in the UK pop scene but failed to sustain momentum, leading to no further recordings in the genre.

Modelling and media appearances

Jennifer Ellison rose to prominence as a glamour model in the early , frequently appearing in British men's magazines such as Nuts, , and Loaded between 2003 and 2008. Her shoots often featured topless and revealing poses, capitalizing on her early television fame from Brookside to secure these high-profile features. She also graced covers and spreads in and Maxim, including Maxim's edition in March 2002 and various FHM issues. Ellison became a fixture in FHM's annual "100 Sexiest Women in the World" poll during this period, attending the 2003 awards party in . As her modeling career peaked, Ellison transitioned toward visibility, participating in events and brand endorsements. In 2006, she promoted a curvy-focused range, followed by a line launch at in 2011 and a fake tan product in 2016. These ventures marked her shift from lads' mags to broader commercial appearances, including high-profile gatherings like the 2023 Eurovision welcome event in . Ellison maintained her media presence into the , making notable returns post-retirement from glamour modeling. At the National Diversity Awards in on September 20, 2025, she appeared in a sheer, see-through gown alongside her husband Rob, drawing attention for her confident style. This event underscored her enduring status as a media personality, blending elegance with her established public image.

Other ventures

In addition to her performing career, Ellison expanded into the fitness sector by releasing workout DVDs that blended exercise with her background in . Her debut effort, Jennifer Ellison's West End Workout (2006), featured three 30-minute segments targeting the upper body, lower body, and core, each incorporating warm-ups, high-energy routines, and cool-downs to promote overall toning and cardiovascular health. Following the birth of her first child in 2008, Ellison drew from her personal journey to produce Jennifer Ellison's Fat Blaster Workout (2011), a program designed to help users shed fat through progressive stages of toning, cardio, and resistance , including specialized segments like the Belly Blaster for abdominal focus. The DVD emphasized sustainable habits, reflecting her own transformation from post-pregnancy to regaining her pre-baby figure. Ellison has actively supported charitable causes through participation in high-profile events. In 2012, while pregnant with her second child, she attended the Emerald and Ivy Ball at London's , an annual fundraiser for aimed at advancing cancer prevention and treatment research. The following year, she joined celebrities at a and gala in , which raised thousands of pounds for local community initiatives. In more recent years, Ellison has shared insights on her career shifts via media appearances, highlighting a deliberate pivot toward family priorities and personal well-being after stepping back from intensive demands. She has described this transition as leaving the "" to embrace a more balanced life, including selective engagements that align with her values.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Jennifer Ellison began dating businessman and former boxer Rob Tickle in 2008, after meeting through mutual friends in . The couple became engaged later that year and married in a private ceremony on 10 October 2009 in . Ellison and Tickle have three sons. Their first child, Bobby, was born on 4 February 2010 at via . Their second son, Harry, arrived on 9 July 2013. Their third son, Charlie, was born on 26 September 2014 at the same hospital. She is also stepmother to Tickle's twin daughters, Chloe and Sophie, from a previous relationship. The family resides in , , where Ellison has balanced her professional commitments with raising her children, including taking maternity breaks during her pregnancies. In a interview, she described motherhood as a "mad act," noting the challenges of managing her career alongside family life with three young boys. Ellison has occasionally shared family milestones publicly, such as her sons' protective reactions to her appearance on the 2022 series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. In 2024, she revealed that her boys were "fuming" after watching her on-screen altercation with co-star , with the youngest declaring he wanted to "get" him for hitting their mother.

Advocacy and personal challenges

Following her rise to fame in the early , Jennifer Ellison openly discussed experiencing significant anxiety related to pressures, particularly after gaining weight and reaching a size 18, which left her feeling insecure and anxious about public encounters. She described how the scrutiny from her post-Brookside career exacerbated these issues, leading her to seek support through lifestyle changes and professional guidance to regain confidence. Ellison has also shared her struggles with postnatal depression after the birth of her first son in 2010, emphasizing the emotional isolation and sense of failure it brought despite her outward success. In interviews, she highlighted the stigma surrounding the condition and advocated for greater awareness, stating that speaking out was essential to encourage other mothers to seek help without shame. Her experiences with anxiety and depression prompted her to engage in therapeutic processes, including participation in the 2022 reality series Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, which she described as "the best therapy ever" for confronting and processing a traumatic abusive relationship from her late teens involving physical violence, such as a broken collarbone and assaults. During the show, Ellison broke down emotionally, using the intense environment to address unresolved trauma and build resilience. In her advocacy efforts, Ellison has supported causes tied to her personal experiences, including children's charities; she attended a 2005 fundraising event for , a organization aiding vulnerable youth. She also served as an ambassador for the 2014 "Is It Cow's Milk Allergy?" campaign by Allergy UK, raising awareness about childhood allergies based on her own family's challenges, which indirectly addressed maternal stress and health support for new parents. These initiatives reflect her commitment to destigmatizing health issues affecting women and children. More recently, in 2025, Ellison faced an emotional setback when her dance studio was burglarized, leaving her feeling "physically sick" upon reviewing CCTV footage of the intrusion, which heightened her concerns as a business owner and . Despite such challenges and the stresses of reality TV appearances, she has spoken in 2024–2025 interviews about cultivating resilience through a low-key life, crediting her husband and children for providing stability while reflecting on her journey from fame's pressures to personal growth. In a June 2024 , she detailed overcoming past violence and industry demands, emphasizing therapy-like reflections as key to her ongoing recovery.

References

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