Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace – Surviving Guns, Gangs And Glamour.

This month the Gregory Tripplets caught up with their favourite Big Brother contestant of all time Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace. From housemate home-gal to household name, Aisleyne fills us in on ‘Life After BB7’, how she deals with fame and her plans for the future.

You recently appeared on BBC Three’s ‘Snog, Marry, Avoid’ the world’s first makeUNDER show in which 65% of those asked said they would avoid you pre-makeunder. Afterwards you had 60% wanting to snog you and 40% wanting to marry you! Has the show made you re-evaluate your beauty regimen or have you gone back to MAC?

Back to MAC baby! I cant live without my lip-gloss and false lashes. Saying that I have toned it down in the clothes department, less aint more for me these days, I want a guy to work to unwrap me, not walk around half naked so the jobs done for him!

Remembering back to Aisleyne before the fame, you started work as a model/ promo girl whilst studying buying and merchandising at The London College of Fashion. Did you always want to be famous or was it really just a way to make a bit of cash at the time?

Babes when I got ‘the call’ to say I was in (Big Brother 7), I contemplated not even doing it. I was so scared about all the stories that people might sell and I had good jobs lined up that summer so I was scared of loosing them too but I thought, you know what I have been lucky enough to have been picked out of thousands of people, its an amazing unique experience, I would be mad not too. So I know it sounds cliché but I genuinely went in number one reason for the experience, everything else has been an unexpected bonus.

You now have Designer as well as Magazine Columnist, Agony Aunt, TV Personality, Radio Presenter and Model on your ever-growing list of job titles. Your mother was a designer and a favourite of Boy George and Siouxsie Su. Has she been a big inspiration for your ‘Unique by Aisleyne’ clothing range?

Growing up around my Mum was fantastic; I think I appreciate it more now than I did when I was young. My mum’s designs are more ‘artistic’ than mine, which are more ‘glamour’ inspired but for sure my mums love and passion for design has inspired me.

There is no getting away from the fact that most people will remember you for your participation in the seventh series of Big Brother, with ‘Know Yourself’ being coined as your put-down of choice. What feelings do you have about how that show has shaped your life since leaving the house and do you think you know yourself, even with the trappings of fame and success?

Listen babes, I have always known myself… I LOVE the fact that everyone says it now; it’s the perfect thing to say to cheeky people because it makes them stop in their tracks and check themselves! Fame has not changed me, I am a real girl and always will be, I have always been a hustler and a grafter and this is just another kind of hustle, with me as the product. I suppose the only ‘change’ is that I get a lot more stressed out than I used too back in the day… Its like B.I.G said, ‘more money more problems’.

You were the highest placed female in the show, having seen off Grace and Nikki who between them labeled you a “Dog”, “Hoochi Mama”, “Moose”, “Wigga”, “Bitch”, “Slag”, “Slut” and “Liar”. How has your relationship with the girls been since leaving the house and what do you have to say to them three years on?

PLEASE, them two there are two that really do need to ‘know’ themselves! I don’t know what Grace is doing now I don’t see her anywhere, Nikki I see from time to time at parties or on TV shows, and we are cool. As for all their comments I love it! Better to be on everyone’s radar even if its coz they are jealous – than not to be on their radar at all. And without being facetious… who came top female???

Your book ‘Aisleyne: Surviving Guns, Gangs And Glamour’ is out on the 7 May, do you have an exclusive for us here at The Gay Nation?

Yes, it’s FAB!!!

["Aisleyne: Surviving Guns, Gangs and Glamour", is a shocking life story that surpasses any reality - show plotline. Her childhood journey began in a happy, crazy punk household, where Siouxie Sioux and Boy George were regular visitors, but it was shattered after witnessing the fallout of her father's drug-fuelled suicide attempt and her mother becoming a devout Jehovah's Witness. After being hospitalised following a bullying incident at school, Aisleyne left home at 16 and moved to London, where she lived in a hostel with the frightened women and predatory men of the city's gang culture. While some of her friends were lost to drugs, knives and gun crime, Aisleyne vowed to move onwards and upwards. Fighting to bring her broken family back together, she threw herself into a new career as a promotions girl and glamour model. Her big break came when she was selected to compete on Big Brother in 2006 and was voted the most popular female housemate that year. Three years on, Aisleyne is living proof that it is possible to escape the streets and make good. She has become a successful businesswoman, fashion designer and established media celebrity. Available from Waterstones from 7 May. Publisher: Mainstream Publishing]

In October last year you reportedly met with MTV regarding a show a la ‘Totally Jodie Marsh’ and ‘Kerry Katona – Crazy in Love’. It’s also rumoured that you are considering a proposal from a major UK brand to have a second boob job – care to tell us any more?

Goodness, Mr. MI5!! My lips are sealed, but (cheeky grin) watch this space…

Thanks for dropping by Aisleyne, you are always very warm when we have seen you out-and-about and we certainly wish you well with the imminent release of your book. Having had your dad incarcerated, your mum throw you out, homelessness and a boyfriend paralysed by a drive by shooting, you have certainly been through a great deal. In closing could you tell us whether you have had any regrets thus far and what your plans are for the future?

Never regret in life baby, anything that hurts builds you into the person you become. Always learn from your mistakes and keep on striving to achieve your goals despite what might happen along the way… listen to me! Guru Ash, ha ha.

Plans for the future… to expand my fashion range and do a glam t-shirt range for guys.

Words Gregory Triplets