TOWIE’S Megan says she won’t let bullying get the better of her
As the series ends, the feistiest girl in Essex talks feuds and finding love
If there’s one thing TOWIE’S Megan Mckenna is famous for – apart from her legendary temper – it’s her OTT Essex look. So, on today’s heat shoot, we wanted to see the real Megan – stripped of her big hair, heavy make-up and lashings of fake tan. And although there’s no getting away from those plumped-up lips, we totally approve of the 23 year old’s pared-back look – and so does she (phew). In our exclusive chat, the star – who shot to fame on Ex On the Beach before stealing the show on January’s Celebrity Big Brother – is sweet and not at all the diva we were expecting. She positively glows when talking about her co-star and boyfriend of five months Pete Wicks, but there’s a distinct hint of sadness in her voice when discussing her recent fall-outs with her two best friends…
TOWIE’S pretty much turned into the The Megan Show. How does that feel?
There’s good parts to that and bad. Obviously, it’s good – I’m on it a lot and people have got to know me, but some people haven’t liked me doing well. When you have storylines going on and you’re the centre of attention, people want to bring you down.
Who are the main suspects for that right now?
I dunno, maybe someone called Chloe Lewis? Or Lydia Bright? They both need to drop it, they’ve both had bad relationships and Lydia’s said a few nasty things about me, which is a bit low from her, bearing in mind that she’s not had the best relationship with James Argent. She lives in the same area as me, so who is she to call me “trash”? I just think that the girls on the show don’t like you doing well.
Do the producers love it when you go crazy? It is good telly…
I don’t think I’ve lost it too much on TOWIE. I haven’t gone as mad as
Have you always had a temper?
No. When I was younger, I was actually really shy. Then I went to school and I got bullied in year seven. The other girls didn’t like that I was a bit different – I liked to sing and I played the violin. My nan and grandad paid for me to go to theatre school in London and it changed my life. It made who I am today – confident.
You’ve fallen out with Chloe Meadows and Courtney Green (both left) – how does that feel?
Loyalty is everything to me and I came on the show and backed up Chloe and Courtney at first when the other cast didn’t accept them. Then all this shit started happening with Chloe Lewis and Lydia, and now I feel like the girls have turned their backs on me. The only person who’s there for me is Pete. The only person who’s being isolated here is me.
Why do you think your old friends have turned on you?
They don’t like it when you’ve got
a good relationship. I get along well with the older cast, like Chloe Sims, Danielle Armstrong and James Lock. I get on with Gemma Collins, too, and people get a bit of the green eye.
Do you feel like you’ve had to choose between Pete and your friends?
The thing is, my friends are all in relationships. Chloe Meadows has been in a relationship for two years, and she moved away and came back and I was there for her. Now that I’m in a relationship, why can’t they be happy for me?
Do you think you’ll make up?
I don’t think that things will ever be the same. That’s all I can say.
You and Pete haven’t said the L-word yet – would you say it on TV?
I don’t know, it’s an awkward situation. Loads of people have asked me, but I don’t like to rush things. A lot of people think that TOWIE is set up, but it’s really not – it’s my real life.
You’re very fiery – is that a way for you to get more airtime or is it genuine?
That’s me. If someone says something I don’t like, then I’ll always defend myself.
Pete’s clearly smitten with you. How does it feel watching that on telly?
It’s weird. You don’t normally get to see what your boyfriend is saying about you, but I guess it makes us closer. He hasn’t said anything bad about me yet.
Do you think you’ll be with Pete for a long time?
I hope so. When I’m in a proper relationship, I give it everything. Same with Pete. I don’t think he’s had a serious relationship before. I think I’m his first proper girlfriend, and I like it.
Will you move in together?
It’s too early to say. We’re just happy. We don’t really express lovey feelings too much – we don’t sit there holding hands, snogging each other’s faces off – but the way we are shows the other that we really care.
Pete really sticks up for you on TOWIE…
He’s such a good boyfriend. If I didn’t have Pete, I don’t know what I’d do. He is the one who completely has my back on
TOWIE. My problem is, when I’m angry I can’t explain it, so I scream and shout. He’s teaching me to sit back and think, he’s chilling me out more. He’s quite deep.
Are you happier now – is that why you’ve calmed down?
Totally. It’s because I’ve met someone who treats me right and listens to me. When you’re in a bad relationship and you’re being f**ked about and cheated on, of course you’re going to lose your shit all the time.
What do you think of your stripped-back look today?
Since I’ve cut my hair, I like the natural look more. I don’t think I really wear a lot of make-up anyway – I like not having a lot of eyeshadow on.
What about your lip fillers?
I’m not going to lie, I always have them – I love them. I’m not addicted. If I was addicted, then my lips would be ridiculous, but I like to have a plump look.
Would you do Botox?
No, just the lip fillers.
You’re always Snapchatting your love of Mcdonald’s. How do you eat it all the time and still looks so insanely good?
I don’t eat the bun, as I’m a coeliac [a digestive condition that means Megan must avoid gluten]. So it’s not so many carbs. I have extra pickles, which is kind of classed as a vegetable, so basically I’m eating meat and veg, which I think is healthy. [Laughs.] I have Mcdonald’s at least three times a week. And I don’t do any exercise.
What do you think of your Ex On The Beach co-star Bear on Celebrity Big Brother?
He is nuts, but he’s funny. I lived with him for a month and we were like brother and sister. One minute we’d row, next minute we’d make up, next minute he’d be nice, he’s just very up and down. But I think he’s done really well in Big Brother because he’s a character – he’s the most interesting one in there.
‘If I didn’t have Pete, then I don’t know what I’d do’