She burst onto our screens on TOWIE in 2010 and 12 years on, Amy Childs has come a long way from the doe-eyed teen on the hit reality show.
Amy, 31, is now mum to daughter Polly, four, and three-year-old Ritchie, and happily loved-up with her boyfriend, Celebs Go Dating star Billy Delbosq.
And she tells Closer that while she keeps her son, who she shares with ex-partner Ritchie Sr, firmly out of the spotlight, she wouldn’t be worried if daughter Polly – who she shares with ex Bradley Wright – followed in her footsteps into the showbiz world.
“I’m always such a busy girl, and Polly does a lot of modelling now for Base, a designer childrenswear shop in Essex. So not only am I looking out for myself, I’m looking out for her,” Amy tells Closer.
“My mum and dad are very hardworking – when I was at school, it was always drilled into me that to get nice things you have to work hard. So because they are such business people, I think I just turned into them. I could definitely be the next Kris Jenner! I think Polly follows in my footsteps, as she can see how sociable I am and how much I like talking to people.
“I may have a star on my hands – especially when she’s having her diva moments – and she’s very pretty. Polly has such a lovely, kind heart. She genuinely is very sweet. It would be nice if she did follow me into showbiz.”
Polly has already had airtime on TV, starring on TOWIE with Amy and delighting viewers with her cheeky personality.
On her decision to keep Ritchie out of the limelight, Amy says, “I keep him out of it, but he will do what he wants to do. If he wanted to be a reality star or whatever, I don’t mind at all, as long as he’s happy. Same with Polly – if she didn’t like the modelling or filming, I would never make her do it. I’m not a pushy person by any means, but the thing about Polly is that she’s so good at it. I know I’m biased, but she owns the camera and knows what to do. I just want my children to be happy and have fun, as long as they do then I am fine.”
Amy returned to TOWIE after a nine-year hiatus in 2021, where she had to hang out with a whole new cast. And she says while she’s enjoyed being back, she’d love if the reports that former co-star James “Arg” Argent might also return came true.
She says, “TOWIE’s always been a part of my life – it was the show that made me and I always said I would go back. There are rumours that Arg is also going to return, which is news to me, but it’s always nice to have an OG back. Arg has done so well with his weight loss, he looks bloody amazing, and as long as he’s happy, that’s the main thing.
“I go on the show being myself, and everything’s very natural when I’m filming. They set up scenes for your entertainment, but it’s not scripted by any means – if it was, I would have no chance because I don’t know how to read a script really!”
Just last month, the star – who has had a boob job, lip fillers and veneers in the past – opened up about her plastic surgery journey, saying she has turned her back on it thanks to the confidence her romance with Billy has given her.
Amy adds, “I must admit that I got so addicted to cosmetic surgery, but now I do really feel like I’ve found myself – I’ve got older, wiser and I have children now. Back in the day when I first did TOWIE, it was all about what you looked like. My life has completely changed, like anyone, and I’m very happy in myself. Will I grow old gracefully? I’m not sure, a few little touches and minor things maybe, but right now, I’m very happy.
“If I could talk to 18-year-old me, I would say just be happy with yourself and completely enjoy your life. Probably don’t have so much cosmetic surgery, as before you know it, you’ve had so much done that you don’t even look like the same person! But we all learn from our mistakes and I think it makes you a stronger person. And when Polly gets older, I’ll be telling her everything I’ve gone through and I’m sure she’ll listen to me.”
Since joining TOWIE, Amy has starred on other TV shows such as CBB and The Jump, and even had her own reality show, It’s All About Amy. She’s also launched a range of spin-off businesses, such as multiple clothing ranges, and a new prosecco line with Liquid Diamond Wine.
And Amy says she juggles being a mother by working into the night. “I’ve always wanted to be a mum, and children have changed me for the best,” she says. “Although some times are tough and it’s hard work. I end up working through the night – I put the kids to bed and then I’m on my laptop for three hours, but I make everything work. I don’t complain, I just do everything that I can.”
Most recently she’s been made creative director of CBD brand Jorja Botanicals, founded by father Robin Emerson to help his daughter Jorja, who suffers from seizures. And Amy says her involvement is one of her proudest projects to date.
She says, “I came across Robin’s story on social media and that’s when I thought, ‘I want to get involved with this campaign’. I was so emotional. Jorja had over 20 seizures a day, and the medical cannabis really helped her. I switched my business brain and I’ve worked so hard over the last couple of months to make sure they’re suitable for us and for children as well. I’m so proud of it.
“The power of CBD really is amazing. I love the Jorja products. Polly loves the bath oil and I swear by the soothing cream, it’s made my skin glow. I’m so proud of it and know it’s going to really help some people.”
Check out Jorja Botanicals products at jorjabotanicals. Proceeds go towards jorjafoundation.org
