GIOVANNA FLETCHER ON MOTHERHOOD AND KEEPING IT REAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
GIOVANNA FLETCHER TELLS OK!’S ROSIE UNDERWOOD ABOUT DEALING WITH DARK TIMES AND MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON WOMEN’S LIVES
Giovanna Fletcher is at the top of her game. A bestselling author, actress and host of one of the UK’S most popular podcasts – Happy Mum, Happy Baby – the mother of three has turned her girl-next-door charm into a thriving business. Her sunny persona is paired with candid honesty about motherhood and mental health, so it came as no surprise that Swarovski picked her as an ambassador for their Follow The Light campaign. Giovanna shares three sons with her Mcfly husband Tom Fletcher – Buzz, five, Buddy, three, and Max, who turns one later this month.
Here, Giovanna, 34, talks about her biggest motherhood challenges, her inspirational husband Tom and why Max is her last baby...
How does it feel knowing you’re making a positive impact on women’s lives online? When people tell me how they’ve been helped by hearing the conversations I’ve raised on my podcast or in my books, that’s when it all feels worth it. It makes me so emotional to know that I can help someone get through the darkest days of motherhood and to make them realise they’re not alone in their feelings.
Why is it important to you to be real on social media?
I just couldn’t do the picture perfect thing; perfectionism makes other people feel like rubbish. We’re all different, unique and amazing. We have to celebrate that instead of concentrating on things that maybe we feel we lack. You have to follow people that make you feel the best version of you, rather than making you hate your life.
Who inspires you? Tom and my boys. Tom has always inspired me, even back in the Mcfly days, his work ethic was amazing. He always stays grounded and loves what he does.
What’s been the biggest highlight of your parenting journey?
Max is our last baby so bringing him home to introduce him to the boys was amazing. Buzz and Buddy are still absolutely obsessed with him. It’s incredible. Max is a very happy little Buddha baby.
What made you decide Max is the last?
My body didn’t like being pregnant a third time; early on, my knees and my hips were in agony. I wondered if I was pushing my luck to expect another healthy child. I’m so grateful for the three of them, they’re all unique and lovely and I want to explore my days with them.
How do you deal with harrowing stories on your podcast like Amanda Holden’s stillborn son, Theo? As soon as I hear a crack in someone’s voice I can’t help but cry. We’re all so scared of hearing these stories but it makes you more aware, which is why it’s so important that they’re shared. I feel honoured whenever someone shares a story with me.
How are all the other Mcfly babies?
There are six Mcfly babies now! Everyone is good, we haven’t been able to get together much recently so Buzz and Buddy did a cover version of George Ezra’s Shotgun and sent it to Harry [Judd] for his children Lola and Kit. We send video messages to each other all the time.
What’s next for you?
More books and I’m going on tour with Happy Mum Happy Baby Live. I’m also a patron for Coppafeel so in October will be trekking the Himalayas. In ten years the boys will be good ages so I’d like us to go travelling together.
What’s your involvement with Swarovski? Swarovski’s message is so inspiring; I love that they tell real people’s stories. We’re living in a time now where we constantly compare ourselves and we need to stop letting others dictate how we feel about ourselves. Follow The Light is all about that, about finding what’s important to you and living by that.