‘I’m on the first flight out to see Caitlyn!’
Jacqueline Jossa on her Hollywood connections, being best friends with her daughters and why she wouldn’t make a good Loose Women panellist
She was crowned I’m A Celebrity Queen of the Jungle last December, and when we catch up with Jacqueline Jossa she’s quick to reveal that 2020 has been “one of my best years yet.” The former EastEnders actress, who is mum to Ella, five, and two-year-old Mia, is flying high after recently launching her own tanning range with BPerfect Cosmetics, and reaching three million followers on Instagram.
When she’s not working, Jacqueline, 28, is most happy being at home with her two girls, who she describes as her “best friends”.
Although questions about her husband, former Towie star Dan Osborne, 29, are off limits, Jacqueline is happy to discuss her own work plans and life as a busy mum with us.
Here, she talks about texting her jungle pal Caitlyn Jenner, her daughters’ personalities and how being a mum has given her a purpose in life...
Hi Jacqueline. It’s coming up to a year since you won I’m A Celeb – do you keep in touch with your jungle campmates? Yeah, of course. Everyone is living their best lives and we haven’t been able to meet up for seven months because of the coronavirus. I can’t wait to see them all. I texted Caitlyn this morning.
What did you chat about?
I was just checking in on her and she always checks in on me. I’ve asked her for her details so I can send her some of my tan.
She’ll love that. When restrictions allow, would you like to go out to LA to see her?
Oh yeah! Of course. I’ll be on the next flight – when we’re allowed to go.
You’ve accomplished so much. What do you want to do next?
It’s difficult, because there’s loads of stuff I want to do. I feel like the world is my oyster and I’ve got to work it out. I want to do some acting, singing and maybe some more stuff with BPerfect.
What’s your dream acting role?
I’d like to do something slightly different. Maybe a comedy or a period drama, or being a firefighter or a policewoman. I’m up for anything.
Would you like to return to as Lauren
EastEnders Branning?
They have always left the door open for me and I would go back at the right time – it would have to be the right time for both of us.
How about being a Loose Women panellist?
I think I’m slightly too honest.
That’s a good thing…
Maybe not for live TV!
How about an Osbornes-style reality show?
A camera following me around would be quite fun.You’d get to see this whole journey [with BPerfect Cosmetics], which has been amazing.
What’s the best thing about being a mum?
There are so many – when you get called “Mummy”, knowing you have a purpose in life… The girls have given me such purpose and they’re the reason I do everything I do. They’re the reason I work and I just absolutely love them. There’s just nothing better. It’s like you’re never alone any more – you have your best
friends forever.
What’s the hardest thing?
Being a busy working mum is super tricky.You really have to be on top of it, which I am. I’ve got an amazing group around me helping out. But to be honest, motherhood and me fit like a glove.
‘The girls give me such purpose. They’re why I do what I do’
How do you manage to achieve that balance?
It’s actually really difficult, but I’m used to it because I worked very hard on EastEnders and it was long hours, so I’m used to that work ethic. But you have to make time – any time I’m not working I’m with them.
Are your girls quite different, personality wise?
Yeah, they’re like chalk and cheese, although they’re really similar in some ways. Mia is this beautiful little creation, but she’s also the devil. She’s hilarious and cheeky. Ella is an angel sent from above. They have different personalities, but they’re best friends. It’s so cute.