She’s been proudly posting pictures of her new romance with MAFS UK’s JJ Slater all over social media, showing the couple snogging on a ski trip, on wild nights out with Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry and enjoying cosy nights in.
And a source says Katie Price’s new relationship has kick-started her bid to make a huge career comeback, following years of bankruptcy, career flops and stints in rehab.
The source says, “Since meeting JJ, Katie has had a new lease of life. She’s telling everyone, ‘The Pricey’s back!’ She thinks of her and JJ as the hot new couple on the scene.
“She’s had financial problems in the past few years, but she’s now making big plans to make some money and restore her status. JJ already has his own clothing brand, so they’re considering launching a joint fashion business together and think fans would love seeing their relationship blossom on a reality show. She’s got big ideas and is saying that she knows 2024 is her comeback year.”
Former glamour model Katie, 45, rose to fame in the early noughties and at one point was estimated to be worth around £45million – with lucrative lines in fashion, TV, modelling and children’s books.
But her career has taken a hit in recent years – with her reality show being axed, her make-up classes barely selling tickets and other business ventures flopping.
She was declared bankrupt in 2019 and left fighting for her £2m Sussex home after allegedly running up debts of over £3m.
Last month, Katie faced another setback in her bankruptcy case, after a judge ruled she must give up almost half of her income from adult entertainment website OnlyFans to repay her debts.
Meanwhile JJ, 31 – who first entered the spotlight last year on MAFS UK, where he caused controversy by dumping his “wife” Bianca and starting a relationship with Ella Morgan – runs his own business, Fully Clothing, and regularly posts photos of his lavish trips around the world. And Katie is hoping to team up with JJ and launch a new venture together so she can be a multi-millionaire once again.
The source says, “Katie is hell-bent on turning her career around – she’s got lots of ideas in the pipeline. She thinks a fashion business, with JJ’s input, would be great. And, seeing as JJ was such a hit with MAFS viewers, a reality show with them both would be great, too. Friends have warned her not to jump the gun, but she’s said she can even see a show about them planning their wedding.
“Chloe [Ferry] is also a reality TV veteran, and Katie’s thinking fans would love to also see the behind-the-scenes of their friendship, as well as their wild nights outs. She’s even said she’d set up her own TV streaming channel, if the pitch is snubbed by the likes of ITV and Channel 4. If no one wants to commission her, she’ll just go ahead and do it herself.”
Katie’s road to happiness has been far from smooth – with three marriages, eight engagements and several tumultuous relationships playing out in public.
She had son Harvey, 21, with Dwight Yorke and three years later famously got together with Peter Andre, 51, on I’m A Celebrity! in 2004, with the pair tying the knot the following year. The pair welcomed son Junior, 18, and daughter Princess, 16, before splitting in 2009.
She then had a whirlwind marriage to cage fighter Alex Reid, before moving on with Argentinian reality star Lendro Penna, to who she was engaged before they split in 2012. She married stripper and builder Kieran Hayler in 2013, and they had kids Jett, nine, and daughter Bunny, eight, but split seven years later after Kieran admitted to multiple affairs.
JJ is her latest toyboy reality star beau, after she previously dated Kris Boyson, 35, and Carl Woods, also 35. But our insider says this time it’s different for Katie. The source adds, “Katie’s said that when she watched JJ on MAFS, he reminded her of herself – the real Katie that is sensitive and insecure, not the tough cookie she portrays. She’s said that JJ is the first man to ‘get’ her. Every man before has tried to change her, and none of them loved her for her, but this time she knows it’s real.
“And JJ really embraces Katie – he isn’t scared or threatened by her drive and personality. He doesn’t ask her to cover up, or walk and talk a certain way. He doesn’t want to control her or look at her phone all the time, and he doesn’t let her pay for anything. He views Katie as his equal, and that’s all she’s ever wanted. She’s told friends that she’s like a cat with nine lives – and JJ is her lucky charm!”
