Can these reality stars really crack the US?
After setting their sights on conquering the States, Closer examines who could be first to swap Brentwood for Hollywood...
he’s polarised S opinion during her time on CBB and as Gemma Collins prepares to leave the house her next move will no doubt create more headlines, with plans to conquer America on the cards.
As Closer previously reported, after striking up a friendship with Kim Kardashian’s bestie Jonathan Cheban in the house, sources close to Kim say the A-lister thinks Gemma is “hilarious” and wants to bring her to LA – and has even spoken to “momager” Kris Jenner about managing Gemma.
The reality star has always dreamed of making it in America. Talking in 2013 about taking her plus size fashion range to the States, she said: “My collection is available to buy in the USA… I’m planning on visiting America and styling the plus size sexy girls all over the world.”
LA DREAMS
And Gemma, 35, isn’t the only TOWIE name set to try to crack America. Other Essex stars including Mark Wright, Ferne Mccann and Amy Childs are all lining up to try their luck – but it seems they’re in for a hard slog.
Ross King, Good Morning Britain and Lorraine Showbiz Correspondent, who has lived in LA for 16 years, tells Closer : “No British reality star has made it in LA. Competition is fierce – you’re competing against the entire world, not just everyone else in the UK.
“They do have a chance, albeit a slim one, but they have to be prepared to start at the very bottom again.
“Americans won’t care how famous the TOWIE stars are back in the UK – they may be constantly in demand back home and being told they’re the next big thing, but they can’t come to LA for a few weeks of meetings and think they’ll make it.”
LESS EXPOSURE
Ross continues: “In a way, it’s easier for an American reality star to make it in the UK, as Tiffany Pollard has shown on this year’s CBB , as so many US reality shows are aired in the UK, whereas the same is not true of UK reality shows in the States.
“It’ll take a reality star with a work ethic like no other, an incredible amount of luck and some showbiz pals to break the US scene – but I wish them all the best, I really hope that someone does make it here!”
Last week, Ferne Mccann confirmed to Closer that she’s heading to LA to discuss work projects amid reports she wants to be an actress.
Ferne, 25 – who came third on I’m A Celeb! last year – says: “I’m a mad film fanatic and definitely have plans to go out to America. I can’t say too much, but it will involve a film – I’ve always been interested in the movie business.
I acted at school and did theatre studies at A-level, and now that I’m presenting on This Morning I get to report from film premieres and speak to the cast so am getting so much experience. Watch this space. It’s really exciting, and it’s nice to be able to explore different angles.”
TOWIE TALENT
Ferne’s revelation came just days after former TOWIE star Mark Wright, 29 – who met with talent agents in America last year along with his wife Michelle Keegan – admitted he hadn’t ruled out working in Hollywood as an actor or presenter. In an interview he said: “If a job came up over there I’d definitely go for a bit.”
Another former TOWIE star, Amy Childs, has been tipped to pose for American Playboy , after recently being pictured at Playboy HQ in Beverly Hills, and writing on Instagram: “Very exciting news ahead for sure can’t wait!”
And Lauren Goodger recently said she’d also been contacted by a photographer from Playboy about a modelling shoot, adding: “I would also love to go out to America. I definitely want to get that sorted before the summer. I think it would help get my name over there a little bit.” She’s also talked in the past about launching a music career Stateside.
With so many TOWIE stars lining up to crack America, we talk to reality star and DJ Lauren Pope, who’s had success in America, about who she thinks will be the first to make it.
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