“Fame can chew you up and spit you out”

AISLEYNE HORGAN-WALLACE, SERIES 7

Known for… Being a lads’ mag pin-up. Now: A property developer.

“I used to live in hostels and couldn’t afford to eat. Whenever I think back to that time, I’m overcome with gratefulness and gratitude. After I came out of the house [where she came third] in August 2006, I wouldn’t do a shoot for less than £100,000 – it was head-spinning. I used to shout out of the window in elation. I came from a deprived background and now I never have to work again. But then again I think my character is strong and I’d have been like that without fame. I don’t earn half as much as I used to – now the men’s magazines have gone it’s all about endorsement deals. Celebrities are on a conveyor belt and it’s harder for them to stick around – there’s so many of them, it’s become

sterile. I feel as if we grafted a bit more on the shoots [back then]; they were full-on, long days. These girls now take one picture for Instagram and that’s it. I’m a bit jealous – they don’t have to work as hard. I hope they’re saving their money. I took a sabbatical from social media over Christmas –

I had to for my mental and physical wellbeing. I was on Instagram until 3am stressing and comparing myself to 20-year-olds with three million followers and then being derogatory about myself. I was living online and not in reality. But I do like the interaction with fans, it’s nice to feel wanted. People warned me to be careful about fame – it can chew you up and spit you out. These newcomers have their 15 minutes and then fade away. When it fizzles out, it can really mess you up – you have to be ready for when they don’t want you.”