The Circle: Interview with Ella
Category: Press Pack ArticleNAME: Ella
AGE: 24
OCCUPATION: Singer
FROM: London
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single
PLAYING AS: Herself
IN A NUTSHELL: Ella is a follower of body confidence movement. She’s 6 ft 1, a size 20, and proud of her body. Ella says she wants other people to have the same confidence as her. Despite her positive attitude, Ella admits that there was a time when certain Instagram accounts would make her doubt herself and question her image, so she made a decision to unfollow every account which didn’t make her feel good about herself and now only follows inspiring, body positive people
MOTIVATION FOR ENTERING THE CIRCLE: Ella wants to spread the message that chasing unrealistic body shapes can be damaging to your self-esteem and that variety is the spice of life!
STRATEGY: Ella is going to bring the humour to The Circle; she doesn’t understand why people on Instagram only show the glamorous side to life and never have a laugh! She is not going to use faux-glam pictures of her on holiday or eating at amazing restaurants, she wants to use photos from her ‘real’ life such as when she’s “been skint, eating beans for dinner or stepping in dog s**t!” She is going to get everyone on side with her personality and won’t be afraid to flirt with the guys as well!
What is it about playing The Circle that appeals to you?
It's a great concept. It's interesting you never get to meet the players, that's not really been done before. And I think it will be a great laugh.
What's your strategy for winning?
Honestly to God, I haven't got one or at all. I wish I did have one. I just feel like I'm going to bring a bit of me to the table, just have a laugh, try and get across the fact that like social media should be taken with a pinch of salt. I think people should try to be themselves a bit more.
Can you describe your profile in The Circle?
My profile is going to be authentically and unequivocally me. I'm not embellishing anything or catfishing at all.
Will you be up for flirting with anyone in The Circle?
Not really. I can't really get my head around meeting someone online or via social media. I need a human connection. Obviously, if there's someone good looking a cheeky flirt doesn't go amiss, but I'm not really looking for anything.
Why did you decided to play yourself?
I think what I try and get across, or what I believe in is that I'm very, very body confident. I am a big girl and I think it’s quite sad the time we're living in. I want to go in as someone who is really self-assured to show that it's okay to be you. When you have a lot of self-love you don't really get fazed by many things. I wish people's personalities were at the forefront and not their looks and that is what I want to do.
How easy to think it's going to be to win people over just using pictures and words?
Hard, big time. I'm not underestimating that. Words over text or social media can be taken in many different ways, especially when you've got people who are opposites. I find it really hard not to be in a room and feel their energy and understand what they're about. It will be really challenging, especially to get myself across.
What social media platforms do you use?
I only really use Instagram. I have got a Facebook account, but I didn't really use it for anything apart from if someone holds like a party.
How did you decide which pictures to take into The Circle?
It wasn't a case of choosing, they are the only photos of me. I don't take selfies. I don't really like that narcissistic selfie vibe.
Have you ever been in contact with a celebrity on social media?
No not really. I don't do that whole DM thing.
Who is your favourite celebrity or social media star to follow?
Jameela Jamil I think she's a good role model. She's fiercely intelligent. She's truthful, honest and the kind of girl you really want to be friends with.
Have you ever had a bad experience on social media?
No.
Have you ever been catfished?
No, I've never had any dating apps and I don't really sit on social media and send messages.
Is there anything that really bugs you about social media?
So much! The beauty standards on social media. Everything has become so image focused it's all about all the clothes, the surgery and the editing. The photos look incredible but then your image becomes bigger than your personality. It's really damaging that a lot of these young girls who've grown up with that whole life see a model or whoever and it's so fine-tuned that it's not even them. It's them with a professional makeup artist, special lighting, a really good editing app... I think that is the saddest bit. People focus on their what they look like rather than the substance they can I bring to the table.
Were you popular at school?
Yes, I would say I was popular at school. I'm a big girl and I knew I could win people over being funny and I was always confident. It's a cliché that if you were really big at school, you were bullied but I never had that.
How far will you go to win?
I wouldn't go immorally far! I'd love to the cash, I'd love £100,000, I'm not weird, but if I don’t win it, I don't win it! I'm pretty cushty in my life at the moment. I'm just going to be me.
What would you do with the prize money if you won?
Go on a huge holiday with my friends, have it large and then probably try and get on the property ladder because there is no way I will ever be able to do it otherwise!