Interview with TV Personality and Children’s Author Lydia Bright

Photo credit: Katerina Astrella

Lydia Bright is a much-loved TV personality who launched her career on the Bafta award-winning The Only Way is Essex. Since appearing on the show, she has gone on to star in many TV shows including The Island with Bear Grylls, The Jump and Celebrity Hunted. Lydia became an entrepreneur in 2016, opening a boutique and e-commerce website that led to her own clothing brand, stocked by ASOS, Very and New Look. In 2018, Lydia and her family made history by launching The Brights – the first-ever reality podcast, that has now surpassed 1 million downloads. Currently Lydia is focused on influencing, content creation and property. Lydia’s proudest achievement is becoming a mum to daughter Loretta in 2020. Mummy and Me is Lydia’s debut picture book.

Describe a typical day for you?

Every day kicks off with the delightful chaos of co-sleeping with Loretta. We roll out of bed around 7-8 am and trust me, attempting a solo escape before she’s up triggers a toddler meltdown! After the morning routine, we dive into household chores. Loretta takes on her 5 daily tasks, earning her a well-deserved £1 that she can spend or save.

Once the mini CEO is dispatched to school, I dive into the hybrid world of work. My days are a blend of company management, shoots, meetings & social media duties. Then it’s already pick-up time & my evenings are always full of people coming in & out… hustle, bustle and the constant mum life/work life juggle but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Come the weekend & it’s all about turning up the fun factor, we’re usually spend one day of that uptown exploring and making memories.

 

What do you feel are your greatest achievements?

My greatest achievement is raising my daughter Loretta and witnessing her evolve into the confident, intelligent and beautiful character that she is. In 2023, after years of hard work, I also got our dream home, which is becoming the heart of our adventures.
Beyond that, I’ve taken on some wild charity challenges; from conquering Mount Kinabalu to surviving on a desert island.

My latest triumph is a four-year labour of love: the creation of my children’s book ‘Mummy & Me.’ This is something I wrote for all children but shines a light on single-parent families. I am bursting with pride, this really was a passion project and I can’t wait to hear people’s feedback.

 

What’s in your handbag/ satchel?

My handbag is like Mary Poppins magical bottomless pit! I’ve always got my 2L water bottle & a few snacks, I think it’s the mum in me! My laptop and phone are always on me but I’m controversial in having a paper diary tucked away in this digital age, there’s just something about a good old tick-off list!

 

What are your ambitions in life?

My main ambition in life is to be a positive role model for my daughter. I am fortunate enough to have successfully directed my career down my dream path & I’m so grateful that it gives me a wonderful work-life balance. Being an entrepreneur, influencer and budding children’s author never takes away from my biggest goal, to grow my family.

 

What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career you now know?
I wish I had worried less when I initially entered the television industry at such a young age. I was overly concerned with how the public and press perceived me, making me want to present myself as perfect and seek constant approval from strangers. As time passed, I shifted my focus towards living a life that brings joy to myself and my nearest and dearest. Recognising that their opinions hold true significance has been a valuable lesson in my journey.

 

You’ve pivoted into different careers at various points in your life, particularly when you became a mother, can you share those periods, the impact they had and how you started writing?

My career journey has been a wild ride… It kicked off in TV, with crazy ventures like club appearances and photoshoots. I then pivoted into business and even dipped my toes into podcasting. When I welcomed Loretta into the world, my focus shifted to the parenting side of influencing and working in the mummy space more.
Learning I’d be a single mother sparked a passion to fill the gap in children’s books and TV, where representation was lacking. That’s how the idea was born and the entire process became an incredible journey that helped me navigate a confusing time in my life.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Peering into the next five years, my biggest ambition is to expand my family as motherhood has undeniably become the source of my greatest joy and fulfillment.

As for my career, your guess is as good as mine! Five years ago I couldn’t have fathomed the twists and turns that have brought me here, so who’s to say where it’ll lead next…

 

What advice would you give a budding children’s author?
A trio of patience, perseverance and passion… This journey has taken four years & is filled with its fair share of ups and downs! However, my dedication to creating a book which represented my daughter has gotten us to this wonderful point of achievement.

 

What advice would you give to a new parent?
Embrace the newborn bubble and relish those precious moments with your baby. I gave birth during a global pandemic, meaning no one could drop by. There was no social pressures or unexpected visits & I got to fully immerse myself in motherhood. It’s a unique and intimate time so enjoy the quiet, cuddles and chaos, all on your own terms!

 

Finally, happiness is…
At the forefront is my daughter. Our simple shared moments like falling asleep together or enjoying cozy movie nights and shared giggles, holds the most significance for me. Family is also huge and the bond I share with my own is so special. Happiness is really a combination of many things, but in the end it all boils down to one simple thing: love is the essence of happiness.

Mummy & Me by Lydia Bright and illustrated by Jojo Clinch (Puffin Books) is out 1 February 2024.

Buy the book HERE.

 

Read more Wonderful Women interviews here.