My day in style: Michelle Keegan
From her US wardrobe to her cosy nights in, actress Michelle Keegan, 31, talks us through her day
‘WHEN I’M IN LA, I DITCH MY HEELS FOR FLIP FLOPS’
MORNING 8AM: I’m not very good at waking up, so I always set an alarm. First thing, I make breakfast – my go-to dish is avocado and chilli flakes on gluten-free toast, but I often treat myself to a fry-up, too. 9:30AM: When I’m in LA, Mark [Wright, Michelle’s husband of three years] works in the morning, so I hit the gym. Afterwards I go to a café called The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker, and have a coffee in the sunshine. 10AM: Most of my wardrobe is from the high street. I would always choose five cheaper dresses over one designer piece. I love Very, ASOS and Topshop. When I’m in LA, my style is a lot more casual than back in the UK. I ditch my heels for flip flops and trainers, but I do love getting glammed up for glitzy events. AFTERNOON 1PM: I eat healthily most of the time, but occasionally, I will treat myself to an In-n-out Burger in California, or I’ll have some buffalo wings with mac and cheese. 2:30PM: If I have a free afternoon, I like to catch up with friends and family. When I was in LA last month, my mum and dad (and their partners) came to visit, and it was really fun to do some sightseeing with them. We visited Elvis’ house, which was a great experience, whether you’re a local or a tourist. EVENING 6PM: I enjoy going for dinner in the evenings. There’s a restaurant called Jia in LA – it has the most delicious Asian-fusion food, and the décor is beautiful, too. My go-to evening outfit is often a dress with a nice pair of heels. 8PM: There is nothing better than a night in. I’ll run a bath and add Laura Mercier bubble bath – it makes the room smell delicious. I also like chilling out on the sofa and watching TV. I’ve just finished sci-fi drama Black Mirror, which I really enjoyed. 9:30PM: I never go to bed with my makeup on. I keep wipes by my bed, so I can remove everything before I go to sleep. I don’t have a set bedtime, but I usually doze off around 10pm.
❛SHE’S REALISED SHE HAS TO BE OPEN TO UPROOTING HER LIFE TO BE WITH MARK❜
She’s dismissed the idea of moving out to Los Angeles to join husband Mark Wright on numerous occasions, insisting to Closer only last month, “I couldn’t live there full-time.”
But Michelle Keegan appeared to have backtracked last week, admitting she’d “never say never” when questioned about moving to the States to be with the former TOWIE star, who relocated there for his TV presenting role on Extra last September. She added that Mark “loves” his new Californian lifestyle.
LONG DISTANCE
Her comments came just weeks after Michelle, 31, revealed Mark, also 31, had been offered the chance to extend the contract with Extra beyond a year. A source says, “While Michelle’s been glossing over the subject in public, she’s been struggling with the distance behind the scenes. If Mark decides to stay in LA and extend his contract with Extra, they’ll face even more time living apart. It made her realise she has to be open to the possibility of uprooting her life and moving to be with Mark for the sake of her marriage.”
Michelle’s apparent change of heart follows criticism of her character Corporal Georgie Lane in the new series of BBC drama Our Girl. The actress – who left her role as Tina Mcintyre in Coronation Street in 2013 – was mocked for her perfect make-up on the front line.
The first episode of the new series even saw some fans calling for Lacey Turner – who appeared on the show from 2013 to 2016 – to reprise her role. One fan blasted, “I’m sorry but #Ourgirl was so much better with Lacey Turner”, while another wrote, “I still cannot warm to Georgie.”
TENSION
The source adds, “Michelle’s not letting it get to her, but it’s never nice to be slated like that. When she left Corrie, she felt everyone was willing her to be the next big UK actress. Part of the reason she refused to join Mark in LA was because her career’s thriving in the UK and she was petrified to let that go, but now she wonders if she should try to build her career Stateside.”
To add to her woes, pals say Michelle’s also grown tired of Mark’s constant partying – after he was spotted two weeks ago getting close to a bikiniclad waitress on his brother Josh’s stag do in Vegas. The source adds, “Mark’s partying can be a source of tension between them. She trusts him and knows it’s part of his job to be on the showbiz circuit, but she gets frustrated when he puts himself in situations that look bad – like at that party with bikini-clad girls. It’s tough as they spend so much time apart. Michelle says being together will only make them stronger, so they can focus on the future and think about starting a family.”