The holidays are coming, and while many of us prepare to deck the halls, Gemma Collins is not joining in with the Christmas cheer.
Chatting exclusively to OK!, the former TOWIE star, who is currently working with Dr. Pepper Zeroo, reveals that festivities are cancelled in her house, and she won’t be forking out for presents either.
“I’m not interested in Christmas this year, I won’t be buying anyone gifts and have asked people not to buy them for me. We have all got enough,” says Gemma.
Explaining why she’s gone decidedly “Grinch”, she explains, “There are a few reasons. Firstly, I don’t like the culling of turkeys, then I’m also a humanitarian and don’t like what’s going on in the world at the minute. Finally, I’m fortunate enough that it’s Christmas every day for me, it’s like it’s my birthday every day. So it’s about giving back.
“People out there are starving and we can’t just ignore it. The real message about Christmas is spending quality time with your family and appreciating those moments. People need to learn the art of having nothing and being happy. ”
The 42-year-old also tells us she feels we’re beginning to celebrate too early, sharing that she’s ‘sick’ of seeing decorations on social media before December. “It’s only November! Let’s just live for November, everyone has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas,” she says.
First finding fame as Essex’s resident diva in 2011, Gemma has never shied away from standing out from the crowd, telling us that “normal is boring”. However, when we chat to the glamorous star, her life sounds a far cry from the TOWIE dramas in the past.
“I love the countryside,” she says. “I have a dog now and being a dog mum has changed my life, I love it. It really is true what they say, a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.”
Gemma is happily engaged to partner Rami Hawash, 50, and is a doting stepmother to his son Tristan, five. As we probe into family life, the star remains fiercely private when it comes to her relationship, but gushes over her stepson. “It’s hard not to love a child, it’s impossible actually, I don’t understand how anyone couldn’t,” she says.
Often sharing a glimpse into her life via Instagram with her 2.2 million followers, Gemma appears more content than ever with her tight-knit unit. She also boasts a number of celebrity pals, including an unexpectedly close friendship with former The X Factor duo Jedward.
Laughing that she is set to meet up with them on the day of our interview, Gemma explains, “People think our friendship is random but it’s not, I love Jedward. They’re on my energy level and I trust them with my life. We see each other all the time.”
Something they all have in common is that both the Jedward boys and Gemma have taken part in Celebrity Big Brother. Lasting 29 days in the house, Gemma appeared alongside stars such as Megan McKenna, David Gest and Danniella Westbrook.
The show, which ended in 2018, has been confirmed to return for an ITV reboot, so would she do it all over again? “They’d have to pay me a few million to go back in there,” laughs the star.
Adding that reality TV isn’t her focus these days, Gemma hasn’t ruled out the small screen and reveals she may be looking for a deal with the likes of Netflix next. “If I did do a TV series now, it would be with a streaming platform, I loved the Beckham documentary and Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story, so, I’d really like to do something like that.”
Turning over a new chapter, she is focusing on charity work and giving back, as she prepares to work with The Felix Project towards the end of the year. Gemma has also teamed up with Dr Pepper Zeroo for their new campaign, Try More Weird. Trying something new herself, the star even underwent a make-over for the campaign – rocking some bright pink hair.
Telling us about the collaboration, the star explains, “I love this campaign because you can get out of your comfort zone and embrace the wackiest parts of yourself. Try More Weird is perfect because people need to liven up – we are living in a world of beige at the moment and it’s so boring.
“I love Dr Pepper Zeroo so it was the perfect pairing for me. I’ve always loved their motto and how they are a company that embraces quirks. We need more of that in the world.”
Sharing how she thinks life has become a bit more dull in recent years, Gemma says even TV has lost its sparkle and begs for broadcaster Piers Morgan, who is known for his outspoken opinions, to return to mainstream morning television.
“Everyone is scared to breathe and have an opinion. TV isn’t the same any more, everyone is too censored these days – why don’t we bring back Piers Morgan? I love him and miss him so much on TV. We need people with opinions like that. No one else is embracing their true selves.”
Merry Christmas, when it comes, Gemma! We can always rely on you to be 100% GC.
Gemma is embracing the Try More Weird campaign, celebrating the the indescribable taste of Dr Pepper Zerooo.
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