I couldn’t tell a soul I was going to be murdered
It’s been so hard to keep this a secret, I’ve known since last December MIMI SLINGER EMMERDALE’S LEANNA
think it takes time to find the confice with something like modelling.”
she worried about how cut-throat modelling business can be?
ll the creative industries are cutat,” Mimi replies.
ecause I have been doing merdale from a young age and the
of person I am, I will be resilient. If meant to be, it is meant to be.”
oasting a toned slim figure, it’s easy to see why Storm’s scouts were keen to sign her up. Mimi blushes when I tell her this, going o stress she definitely is not about to
down on her food intake to look a ain way – nor does the actress feel er any pressure. think that unhealthy watching what
eat is something people steer away from now,” explains Mimi. “It is important models show that you can be any shape and eat what you want. I definitely do eat what I want!”
As she chats, the soap star comes across as happy and far more mature than her years. Growing up in Singapore after moving to the city when she was three months old, the actress returned to Britain aged 11 alone to join the Sylvia Young acting school while her dad, Andrew, who works in commodities, mum, Victoria, and three siblings came back a year later.
Her decision to go to the school clearly paid off. In the same year she joined, she landed a part in The Sound of Music as Brigitta Von Trapp. By 14, she was playing Clara in the film Heidi: Queen of the Mountain and a year later, she landed the role of Leanna.
“I loved Singapore with its beautiful culture,” says Mimi. “And one day when we can, I would love to go travelling again.
“I went to the Sylvia Young acting school, which had an agency attached to it, and I loved it. I went for a few auditions before Emmerdale. Mum and I made a tape for it and then after a few recalls, I got the part! I was so excited!”
For many young actresses joining at such an early age, it can be tough combining the filming with schoolwork.
Thankfully, Mimi persevered and managed to pass all her GCSES before quitting college to concentrate on acting. “I got my GCSES but I didn’t take my A-levels,” she says. “I did my first year of A-levels but I just did not have the time to finish them. I realised acting is what I want to do and I can always go back to education if things don’t work out.
“But I love it so much and I would tell anyone who is thinking of going into acting to do it. Being in Emmerdale has been an unbeatable feeling!”
She says her parents have been incredibly supportive. “My dad asked me if I was sure early on but they have both been so supportive. “I couldn’t ask for better parents.”
As well as her modelling shoots, Mimi, who is single and lives with her family in Richmond, South West London, is also hoping to try her hand playing a few different characters. And if that means dyeing her hair from blonde to brunette, she is more than happy to. “I think sometimes blondes can get a bit stereotyped to play the meaty troubled characters, so, yes, I am more than happy to dye my hair. It’s important to get into a role.”
And she says she will always make time to tune in to find out what happens to her Emmerdale friends’ characters.
“I’ve made so many friends on set like Jonny, who plays my on-screen dad, and it’s been great to be part of the soap,” she says. “I think Meena could be crazy for quite a few months to come.”
She laughs: “It’s amazing Emmerdale has got a soap psycho!”
Emmerdale runs every weekday at 7pm on Virgin Media One. An extra episode goes out on Thursdays at 8pm.