Despite enduring a hellish few days, culminating in having to call 999 out of concern for her on-off boyfriend James ‘Arg’ Argent’s welfare, Gemma Collins put on a brave face, channeling her inner GC for her debut fragrance launch.
Chatting away to friends and clutching a bottle of her first-ever perfume, the reality star seemed to be in high spirits at the pink-themed event last week. But behind the scenes, the star revealed to Closer that, despite the smiles, she’s been struggling.
She says, "People are saying I’m glowing, but I haven’t stopped eating the last week because I’ve had a bit of stress to deal with. I’ve generally been good with it, but if I’m being honest, I know I’ve gained weight. I’ve also been ill, so I need to take it easy now. Not everyone is body perfect – we should be celebrating individuality more. But I never focused on body image. I don’t give a s--t."
Although reluctant to comment directly on the drama surrounding her ex – who reportedly sent her abusive messages following an earlier split in April – Gemma hints she’s now ready to move on. She adds, tellingly, "I just wanted to be successful – and someone out there has got to love me, warts and all. I do give a good cuddle. You should just be healthy. I’m happy as I am."
There’s no denying Gemma has seen her fame soar since her TOWIE debut in 2011 – with the star going on to amass an estimated £3million fortune – thanks to her plus-size clothing range and having her fingers in many showbiz pies.
Check out: the original TOWIE cast - then and now
CLOSER: TOWIE Original cast then and now photos
1 of 27Lydia Bright
Lovely Lydia Bright had a tough job putting up with on/off boyfriend James 'Arg' Argent. After Arg's cheating ways proved too much to deal with, Lydia walked away from their relationship and the show in 2012, but returned for a few special episodes.
2 of 27Lydia Bright
Lydia had string of relationships and was most recently linked to mechanic Lee Cronin. She still runs her successful clothing business, Bella Sorella, and she took part in the Channel 4 TV show The Jump.
3 of 27James 'Arg' Argent
Arg was the loveable cheeky chap who could first be found singing around the bars of Essex. After proving to be a pretty lousy boyfriend to Lyds and being suspended from the show for partying, Arg went into rehab and came out a new man.
4 of 27James 'Arg' Argent
Arg is now in a relationship with another Essex blonde bombshell, Gemma Collins, and they have big plans to become the world's next big power couple.
5 of 27Lauren Goodger
Poor Lauren Goodger was always in distress over long-term boyfriend Mark Wright. The future never really looked promising for this couple. In fact, she famously pushed Mark into a swimming pool.
6 of 27Lauren Goodger
Lauren left the show in 2016, before appearing on Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Big Brother. She's now in a relationship with Joey Morrisson, who's currently doing a stretch in prison. Lauren occasionally makes a special appearance in the show that made her name.
7 of 27Mark Wright
Ah, Mark wright - he sure did have a way with the ladies in Essex. After finishing things with fiance Lauren Goodger, he had flings with Sam Faiers and Lucy Mecklenburgh. Mark left the show in 2016 after meeting actress Michelle Keegan.
8 of 27Mark Wright
Mark married Michelle in 2015 and now has a TV career in LA, presenting a show called Extras. The pair are VERY loved up and we reckon it's far less dramatic than his previous relationships.
9 of 27Kirk Norcross
Sugar Hut club promoter Kirk Norcross had relationships with Amy Childs and Lauren Pope. He even had 'his n hers' nose surgery with Popey before they split. Kirk also introduced viewers to his Sugar Hut owner dad, Mick, who had a one-sided love affair with Gemma Collins.
10 of 27Kirk Norcross
Kirk is now a dad to two kids and he has an ADORABLE Instagram feed of family photos. Kirk also had a stint on Celebrity Big Brother and Ex On The Beach, but it looks like he's now sticking to life as a daddy.
11 of 27Amy Childs
Queen of the vajazzle, Amy Childs was the beautiful beautician who only stayed in the show for a year. She soon starred in her own series, It's All About Amy.
12 of 27Amy Childs
Amy is now a mum to little Polly who she gave birth to in 2017. She is no longer in a relationship with Polly's dad, Bradley Wright, but she was recently snapped with a mystery man on holiday.
13 of 27Harry Derbidge
Young Harry was the cousin of Amy Childs and just as glamorous as her. Who can forget when he performed as Lady Gaga at his birthday party?
14 of 27Harry Derbidge
Harry started a relationship with co-star Bobby Norris but it ended after Harry reportedly cheated. Harry recently opened up about his battle with an eating disorder, but he looks to be doing well, and is now a pretty amazing makeup artist. Do you think he's had lip fillers? Hmmm.
15 of 27Sam Faiers
Sam Faiers first hit screens when best mate Amy Childs gave her a vajazzle. She gave in to Mark Wright's romantic pursuits for a short while, but it was her relationship with Joey Essex that won our hearts (sob).
16 of 27Sam Faiers
Sam now has a BEAUTIFUL family with her partner Paul Knightley and two kids. She went on to star in another reality show, Sam Faiers: The Mummy Diaries. Sam has also opened up about her battle with Crohn's disease and she still helps to run clothing boutique, Minnie's.
17 of 27Jess Wright
Sister of Mark Wright, she had to give him a few sisterly straight-talks. She was a model and singer, with dreams of making it big in the pop music world. Jess's big relationship was with co-star Ricky Rayment.
18 of 27Jess Wright
More recently. Jess split from Strictly's Giovanni Pernice after five months of dating. She's released a fitness DVD but that's all we've heard from her, really.
19 of 27Billie Faiers
The bond between Billie and her sister Sam was pure joy to watch. She always had her sister's back.
20 of 27Billie Faiers
Billie is now engaged to Greg Shepherd, who she has a son and a daughter with. She appeared in The Mummy Diaries with her big sis, but it's reported that she's to get her own reality show which will document her getting ready for the wedding.
21 of 27Lucy Mecklenburgh
Lucy Mecklenburgh caused a lot of trouble between Mark Wright and Lauren Goodger after she slept with Mark. But her big romance was with co-star Mario Falcone.
22 of 27Lucy Mecklenburgh
Lucy is now a fitness GURU. Honestly, nothing comes between this girl and her abs. She's now in a relationship with former Corrie actor Ryan Thomas after appearing on Celebrity Island together. She also runs a fashion boutique and an online fitness program - quite the entrepreneur.
23 of 27Lauren Pope
DJ Lauren 'Popey' Pope was already known for being a bit of a party girl on the circuit before starting TOWIE. She was in an on/off relationship with Kirk Norcross and dated Tom Pearce.
24 of 27Lauren Pope
Lauren is now the proud owner of a successful hair extensions business. She recently rejoined the show.
25 of 27Maria Fowler
Model Maria Fowler was Popey's best pal and she did NOT get on with her mate's BF Kirk Norcross. She went through some tough times in public after leaving the show just two series later.
26 of 27Maria Fowler
But now Maria looks VERY happy in her new role as a mum to Evie, who she had with boyfriend Kelvin Batey.
27 of 27Nanny Pat
Nanny Pat was the voice of reason that the TOWIE cast needed. She doted on her grandkids Mark and Jess Wright, and always dished out the best advice. She also knew how to let her hair down. Sadly, 80-year-old Pat died in 2015.
During her split from Arg earlier this year, Gemma flew to LA with former Celebrity Big Brother housemate Jonathan Cheban – best friend of Kim Kardashian – and sees America as where her future lies.
She says, "I never realised how far things would go for me, coming from TOWIE to this. It could lead to an empire like the Kardashians and J-Lo. I don’t want to stop at Essex any more. I am hungry for more.
"This year I did a lot of travelling – there’s more to life than Essex. The reality show The Biggest Loser wanted me in LA and I met with Piers Morgan’s manager John Ferriter in the summer, but sadly he has since passed away.
"James Corden needs to get me on his show. I feel like I’m a girl version of him – we are both chubby and funny."
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But despite her close friendship with US reality star and entrepreneur Jonathan, she says she still hasn’t met the Kardashian clan, as they’re so cautious about letting anyone new into the fold.
Gemma explains, "I’d love to meet Khloé – she’s my favourite. I’ve got the work ethic of Kim and the disastrous love life of Khloé. I love them and they know who I am. Jonathan gets jealous when I’m in the spotlight, so I don’t want to steal his thunder. He does like his one-on-one with The GC, so I don’t know if he would share me. One day I hope I’ll meet them but they’re wary [of new people].”
Gemma, 38, made no secret of her desire to start a family with Arg during their romance – and reveals that since the pair have called it quits, she’s still broody.
She says, "I’m off to Dubai with Billie Faiers, her husband Greg, and their kids Nelly and Arthur this weekend. I love them and can’t wait to see them all.
"When I see my nephew, I stare at him and he says, 'Why are you crying?' – but they’re tears of happiness because I love him so much. I do want kids, definitely. I didn’t freeze my eggs in the end, as I went to a top doctor in Harley Streetwho said I didn’t need to."
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And it’s clear Gemma isn’t going to let any heartbreak or challenges get in the way of her personal goals. She says, "I would love to do Strictly. I’ve got a lot of offers on the table at the moment so I have to be careful what I choose, but I’ll stay grounded.
"I was asked to do The X Factor: Celebrity, but had to turn it down because of my record deal with Universal. I’ve been working on new music with producer Naughty Boy – he’s recorded with Beyoncé and Zayn Malik. He comes to my house and brings me a curry. He’s so down to earth."
She adds, "How do I stay positive? The bank balance, darling! I’m very lucky – this could all end for me tomorrow. I love being a star and I want to be as famous as I can – as famous as Lady Gaga. I am very positive."
Read more in this week's Closer mag, out now.