Gemma puts music career on hold for a baby
Pals say Gemma Collins is determined to make her dream of having a family come true – even if it means forfeiting her bid to top the charts
She’s the biggest success story to emerge from The Only Way Is Essex – and reality star Gemma Collins has been unstoppable this year. In April, she became the highestpaid ITVBe star after landing a £250k deal for the new series of her reality show Diva Forever, and the following month raked in a record £100k in just one day through sales of her meme sweatshirts. Meanwhile, she’s stormed the charts with her self-titled podcast, landing the number one spot, and has been hotly tipped for the US version of Strictly.
COMPROMISING
But after it was revealed Gemma, 39, had been forced to delay her new single with Beyoncé’s super-producer Naughty Boy, 35 – despite promises of a chart-topping “summer banger” – insiders say the star is putting her music career on hold to prevent spreading herself too thinly.
Last week, Naughty Boy – real name Shahid Khan – revealed the plug was pulled on a collaboration with the selfstyled ‘GC’ due to clashing work schedules, saying, “I think she [Gemma] has potential, but it has to come from her,” adding, “She has to really want it.”
A source reveals, “Gemma’s been working non-stop for the last few years. While she’s incredibly grateful for her success and wants to continue riding the wave, there’s only so much she can take on without compromising herself.
“She was desperately trying to fit in the music, but knew something had to give. She felt she had no option but to focus on her main interests, such as her reality show and fashion brand, to ensure she gives them the time and attention they deserve.
“When Gemma does something, she gives it her all, so she was always wary of spreading herself too thinly. Giving her music career anything less than 100 per cent wasn’t an option.”
While Gemma has been open about her vocal ambitions, pals say her focus has started to shift since her on/off boyfriend James ‘Arg’ Argent revealed he’s “ready for marriage and babies,” having completed his rehabilitation course for drug and alcohol addiction in February. Arg, who is a professional singer himself, reunited with his band earlier this year, and they plan to be back performing in Marbella this summer.
PRIORITIES
As Closer recently reported, Gemma was finding it difficult to see Arg have such a close bond with their former co-star Ferne McCann and her daughter Sunday, two.
Insiders add that Gemma – who suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and recently admitted she would love to welcome a baby in her fortieth year, after she slimmed down to increase the chances of falling pregnant – is trying to carve out a better work/life balance so she can finally settle down with Arg, 32.
The source says, “Gemma doesn’t want to regret putting all her time and energy into her work and neglecting what matters most to her, which is having a family.
“She’s worked hard to get to where she is and wants to make the most of her star power, but Arg is in such a good place now that Gemma doesn’t want to waste any more time.”
In February, Gemma was pictured trying on a £1,650 wedding dress in Essex, and on her podcast, she confirmed, “I’m more confident than ever that
I’ll get married and have a baby.”
Speaking on her podcast again last week, the star opened up for the first time about giving birth to a four-month-old foetus after suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage in 2012, calling it a “traumatising experience”.
And pals say that, despite their rollercoaster relationship having seen them split up several times over the past eight years, Gemma is certain that her future happiness lies with Arg.
❛ SHE WOULD LOVE TO BE A STAR IN THE US, BUT HER MAIN FOCUS IS ON BECOMING A MUM❜
The source says, “In the past, she’s used work as a distraction from her heartache, but now she’s happier than ever with Arg and says it’s time to ease her foot off the work pedal and focus her energies on starting a family.”
DREAMING BIG
Gemma’s music career has suffered a few false starts. Six months after landing a record deal with Universal last August, she admitted, “I had to put my music on hold because I ended up being so busy.”
And discussing her ambition to crack America with the help of her former CBB co-star, Jonathan Cheban, 46, following a trip to LA last year, she revealed, “I’ve always dreamed big.” She seemed destined for success following a cameo in hit Netflix show Orange Is the New Black and, last year, set her sights on a role in the huge fantasy show Game Of Thrones.
But pals say she wants to throw herself into her baby plans before pursing her American dream.
The source adds, “Gemma would love to be a star in the US one day, but for now, her main focus is on becoming a mum.”
By Daisy McLure