‘If we’re going to go big, now is the time to do it!’
Reality royalty Sam and Billie Faiers chat milestone birthdays, marriages and making their name as “the British Kardashians”
This could well be Sam and Billie Faiers’ biggest year yet. Not only have both sisters decided to buy new houses – Sam and her boyfriend Paul Knightley in Surrey and Billie and hubby Greg Shepherd in Essex – they’re also embarking on a joint new chapter.
Billie celebrated her 30th back in January with a huge party and trip to NewYork, while Sam is counting down to marking the same milestone in December.
Luckily for fans, every bit of the action will be covered as their hit reality show, The Mummy Diaries, returns for its seventh series. As usual, the pair open their doors to chart the ups and downs of family life with their other halves and kids – Sam’s mum to Paul, four, and Rosie, two, and Billie to Nelly, five, and Arthur, two.
The duo tell us what viewers can expect from this series and why they’re loving every minute of their reality reign…
Hi girls.You’re back for more Mummy Diaries.What’s in store?
It’s a really good series. Paul and Rosie’s birthday party, kids potty training and work stuff that we do with the cameras following. Paul and I went to Venice and it was also Billie’s 30th, so me, her and our mum went to NewYork. She also had an epic birthday party.
The celebrations looked brilliant.What was the highlight?
Everything! It was amazing. On my actual birthday my mum threw me a little party with family and close friends.Then Samantha and mum presented NewYork to me. We had the best time. Then the big party was fantastic.
I’m probably not going to be able to top it for my 30th. My birthday is on New Year’s Eve and I want to have a party at some point next January. I’ve had a few ideas of themes, but I don’t know yet.
What would you say to people who have said it’s over the top?
I think 30 is one of the biggest ones – that and 50.
We’re in our prime. Our babies are getting older, we’re enjoying our careers and life is good. If we’re going to go big, now is the time to do it. Work hard, play hard!
How do you feel about being compared to the Kardashians?
I wish we had their mansion! People do say it to us, but then they will also say, “Look at them two trying to be the Kardashians.” We’re really not, it’s just because we’re sisters. But it’s a nice thing.The Kardashians work hard, they have good values and they’re family girls.
I love the Kardashians! I once met Kim and Kris at an event and I felt like a fan.
How do you deal with that kind of negativity?
I feel like I’m lucky as we don’t get it that bad.There’s always the odd person, but if it does happen, I block them and delete the comment. That person’s obviously not a fan. If anyone trolls or comments something negative on my page, I might start screenshotting it, adding it to my story and exposing them. Maybe that might make them feel embarrassed.
Sam, is it hard when people keep asking you about getting engaged?
I know I put my life on TV and social media so people do have a general interest, but people ask me all the time. Number one – they’re asking the wrong person, ask Paul! Number two – I share everything else so when it happens, I promise I’ll share it. It just hasn’t happened yet. We have two children, we’re super busy with work and we’re moving. Once all that calms down and little Paul’s in school, maybe he’ll propose.
Do the two of you share tips with each other about parenthood?
I recently said to Sam that the biggest change with Paul going to school will be the family’s routine. Most mornings we have to be out by 8.15am so that we can get Arthur to nursery and Nelly to school.
It’s a whole new chapter for me and it’s nice that Billie’s told me all about it. I remember the first time Nelly went to school and I loved hearing the stories of parents’ evening, homework and who her friends were. Little Paul never went to nursery, so it will be a huge change for all of us. But he went to visit the school recently and said,“I love it. Can I come back tomorrow?”
Your lives have changed a lot since TOWIE…
They’re completely different. When I look back at when I first started on TOWIE, I’d just turned 18 and now I’m 29. It’s part of growing up. We used to have so much fun back in the day – we didn’t have a care in the world. But when you have children, everything changes. Don’t get me wrong, though, we still have fun!
Priorities just change.
Will you ever retire from reality TV?
It’s a huge part of our world and we’re so grateful
The Mummy Diaries is doing so well. We thought it was going to be a one-off, so we can’t believe it’s series seven. We’re going to focus on the show and what it brings. But who knows where I’ll be in
10 years’ time – look where I was
10 years ago. We never thought we’d be doing this. It was always our goal.
After TOWIE we’d say, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we had our own show?” and now we have.
‘We’re in our prime – we’re enjoying our careers and life is good’