With a podcast tour and an upcoming memoir, Katie Price is showing no signs of slowing down. And neither is her love life. Her relationship with Married At First Sight’s JJ Slater, 31, is going from strength to strength, with the couple recently jetting off to Cyprus for a sunny getaway.
Now, Katie tells Closer that she’s finally found happiness.
Katie, who turned 46 this week, says, “I’ve met his family, and all of my kids have met JJ. Everyone says how calm, gentle and sensible he is. Having your family’s approval is the best. There’s nothing worse than when you can’t be around your family with your partner because there’s an atmosphere.”
Reports first emerged of Katie’s relationship with JJ back in February. Now, Katie – who is mum to Harvey, 21, Junior, 18, Princess, 16, Jett, 10, and Bunny, nine – reveals that the couple actually kept their blossoming romance well hidden from the spotlight.
She shares, “We’ve been together nearly six months now. A lot of that time was hidden, which was the best thing ever. JJ’s so different from what I’ve been with in the past, which is good.”
Touching on their 14-year age gap, Katie adds, “JJ looks like he’s in his 20s, but he’s nearly 32! Do you know what’s weird? In my mum and dad’s relationship, my dad is younger, and now Junior is also following in the footsteps and going for an older woman. It must run in our family!”
Rumours have swirled in recent weeks that the couple were preparing to take their romance to the next step, touring wedding venues and discussing baby plans. However, Katie – who has been married three times before – insists they are taking things slow.
She explains, “What I’ve learned in therapy is that I’ve rushed a lot of my relationships and I’ve made so many mistakes before. Yes, it would be lovely to get married one day and I would love more children, but there’s no need to rush. The best thing is just getting to know each other and spending time together.”
It’s been a rough few weeks for Katie, who has found herself in the spotlight following a bankruptcy case. Revealing how she takes care of her mental health, Katie says, “The Priory. I am getting a lot of support right now, because it’s all just so damaging to me. My memoir, This Is Me, is coming out in July, and I think people are going to be gobsmacked. I’ll be putting my Priory notes in there, because I think people need to see how I’ve been suffering and how I’ve got through it all.”
Known for repeatedly going under the knife, Katie often takes her social media followers along for the ride when it comes to her surgeries, which include liposuction, eye lifts and breast implants, among others. However, the star is now urging other women to think twice before following in her footsteps. She says, “When it comes to surgery, I’ll always have more because that’s just me. But my advice to other people is to research. There are loads of ‘before and after’ pictures on Instagram, but actually get in touch with the people who have had the surgery done and ask them what it was like.”
Since launching her podcast with younger sister Sophie last year, Katie has garnered an impressive fanbase. And the star is taking The Katie Price Show on tour, performing for fans across the UK. Opening up on her love for podcasting and touring, Katie says, “The best thing is I get to say what I want, and it’s my voice. The whole family come in at different times on this podcast, so I can’t wait.” And while the star is used to appearing on TV, Katie says she’s a fan of her more low-key podcast appearances.
“Podcasting is easier because you can do it at home without your make-up on,” she laughs.
Alongside her tour, Katie says, “I’m also doing a lot of festivals this year, which I never thought I’d be doing! I’ve been in the studio recording some club classics. Work-wise, my dreams are coming true.”
And at the end of the year, Katie says she’ll be taking to the stage once more – reuniting with best pal Kerry Katona for panto season. Katie adds, “We’re playing the two ugly sisters in Cinderella. I love it because Kerry’s in such a good place. She doesn’t drink anymore and she doesn’t do drugs anymore. We’re both the same in that way, really. It’s just refreshing that we’re both using our natural energy.”
The Katie Price Show is touring across the UK throughout May and June. Buy tickets online, and listen to new episodes of the podcast weekly