Welcome to another deep dive.
Today we're gonna be talking about a fascinating woman
named Molly Mae Hague.
Molly Mae Hague.
Yeah.
Yeah, she's a UK influencer and business woman.
I think most people know her
from the reality show Love Island.
But she's also the creative director
of Pretty Little Thing, a pretty huge fashion brand.
And she's only 24.
I know, it's crazy, right?
She's a conver so much at such a young age.
It's honestly pretty inspiring.
Yeah, and her story is a lot more complex
than you might think at first glance.
We're basing this deep dive on her interview
on the diary of a CEO.
Oh yeah, Stephen Bartlett's YouTube channel, right?
Exactly, it's a long one.
So we're gonna be pulling out the most interesting bits,
breaking it all down for you.
It's funny, I went into this thinking
it would be like a typical rags to riches influencer story
but it's so much more nuanced than that.
Yeah, there's a lot more depth to her
than just Instagram posts and brand deals.
Okay, so before we get too deep,
let's give everyone a little background on Molly Mae.
So yeah, she was on Love Island
but where did she come from before that?
Well, she's from a small town in England called Hitchin.
Both her parents were police officers.
Interesting, so pretty traditional upbringing then.
Yeah, you could say that.
But even as a kid, she had this like a burning desire
to create a life that was anything but ordinary.
She talks about that in the interview, right?
Like she was almost afraid of living an ordinary life.
Exactly, like it was this driving force for her,
this fear of just blending in.
And that's what led her to move to Manchester at 18
to pursue a career in fashion.
Yep, pretty bold move for a small town girl,
don't you think?
For sure, it's show she was willing to take risks
to chase her dreams.
Okay, so Love Island,
obviously a huge turning point in her career.
Yeah, that's what really put her on the map.
Yeah.
But it's interesting how she views it.
How so?
She's really adamant that it was just a platform
and opportunity, not the sole reason for her success.
I think I read a quote where she said that
everyone from the show starts on a level
playing field afterwards.
And it's what you do with that platform that matters.
Exactly.
She's basically saying, okay, the show gave me exposure,
but I build everything that came after
through hard work and making smart decisions.
Which is a really empowering message, right?
It's not just about getting lucky,
it's about what you do with that luck.
And that applies to so many things in life,
not just reality TV.
It's about seizing opportunities
and making the most of them.
And Molly May definitely seized her opportunity.
And she's known for being a relentless worker.
Oh yeah, she's all about maximizing every hour of the day.
Like she operates on a different time zone
than the rest of us.
I know it's a little intimidating,
but also super inspiring.
Right.
Like how does she get so much done?
But it's not just about working hard,
it's about working smart.
So give me an example.
Like how does she work smart?
Well, for example, remember that two million pound brand deal
she turned down?
Yeah, that seemed crazy at the time.
Right.
Like who turns down that kind of money?
But she explains in the interview that it didn't align
with her long-term vision for her brand.
It wasn't the right fit.
So it wasn't just about the money,
it was about protecting her brand identity
and staying true to her values,
which is pretty impressive for someone so young.
Yeah, she's thinking long-term
and not just chasing quick cash.
She's building something sustainable.
And I think that's a key takeaway
for anyone building a business or even a personal brand.
It's about aligning your actions with your values
and your vision for the future.
Absolutely.
It's not just about the short-term gains,
it's about playing the long game.
So it sounds like Molly May is a lot more
than just a pretty face.
She's a savvy businesswoman
with a clear vision for her future.
Definitely.
And she's not afraid to make tough decisions
to protect that vision.
Which I think is really admirable.
But you know, it's easy to get caught up
in the hype of influencer culture
and forget that there's a real person
behind those carefully curated Instagram posts.
Right, and that real person has vulnerabilities
and struggles just like anyone else.
And in the next part of our deep dive,
we're going to explore those vulnerabilities
and challenges, the not-so-glamorous side of fame
that Molly May has been open about sharing.
Because it's a good reminder
that success doesn't make you immune to life's ups and downs.
And sometimes it can even amplify those ups and downs.
Stay tuned for part two,
where we delve into the darker side of Molly May's experience
with online trolling privacy concerns
and even a terrifying home burglary.
We'll be right back after a quick week.
Okay, so we've talked about all the amazing things
Molly May has accomplished, but let's be real.
Fame isn't always glamorous.
It's true.
Behind the perfectly curated Instagram feed,
there's a real person who faces real challenges.
And Molly May has been pretty open
about the darker side of her experience.
Yeah, she talks about everything from online trolling
to privacy concerns to even a terrifying home burglary.
It's a good reminder that success
doesn't make you immune to life's difficulties.
In some ways, it can even magnify those difficulties.
One of the biggest things she's talked about
is online trolling.
Yeah, she shared this story about how
a paparazzi photo of her in a bikini went viral
and it led to just a ton of hateful comments about her body.
It's heartbreaking to hear
how that impacted her self-esteem,
especially since she's been open
about struggling with body image in the past.
It just shows you the dark side of online culture, right?
People feel so empowered to say things
they'd never say to someone's face.
It's like they forget there's a real person
on the other side of the screen.
And it really highlights the impossible beauty standards
that women in the public eye are held to.
Absolutely.
It's this constant pressure to look perfect all the time.
And that pressure is even more intense for influencers
because their whole brand is built around their personal lives.
Right, so every aspect of their lives
is subject to scrutiny and judgment.
It's like the line between personal and professional
gets completely blurred.
And then on top of that, you have the issue of privacy
which became a huge concern for Molly May after the burglary.
Yeah, that incident was a real turning point for her.
She talks about how violating it felt
to have her personal space invaded
and how that feeling of vulnerability
lingered for a long time.
It made her rethink how open she is on social media
and what she shares with the world.
It's a tough balance, right?
Wanting to connect with your audience
but also needing to protect your safety and well-being.
Yeah, it's a trade-off that a lot of public figures
have to grapple with.
And it's not easy.
Molly May talks about having to change so many of her habits
like not getting deliveries sent to her home anymore.
She even stopped having her nail technician come over.
Things most people don't even have to think about.
It makes you realize that fame comes with a whole set
of hidden costs.
It's not all glitz and glam like it might seem on Instagram.
OK, but let's shift gears a bit and talk about Molly May's
journey as a businesswoman.
Yeah, her role as creative director at Pretty Little Thing
is a whole other chapter in her story.
It's interesting to see how traditional industries
are evolving and embracing influencer marketing.
I mean, let's be honest.
When they announced her appointment at 22,
there are a lot of skeptical people.
Yeah, people questioned whether she
had the experience to handle such a high-profile position.
And it's interesting to hear her talk about that experience,
the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned.
She admits that she sometimes felt like an imposter,
especially in those high-level meetings
with experienced executives.
I can only imagine being 22 and suddenly being thrown
into a boardroom talking about things like profit margins.
Stuff she hadn't really dealt with in her world of fashion
blogging and social media.
But she was so willing to learn and adapt.
Yeah, she didn't pretend to know everything.
She wasn't afraid to ask questions and seek guidance.
Which is so important.
You don't have to have all the answers to be successful,
but you have to be willing to learn.
Absolutely.
And it's about surrounding yourself
with people who can support you and fill in your knowledge
gaps.
Like your manager Fran, they have this incredibly close
relationship.
They even share hotel rooms when they travel for work.
That's amazing.
It shows a level of trust and friendship
that you don't always see in those kinds
of professional relationships.
It just highlights how important it
is to have a strong support system, especially
in such a demanding industry.
Now, of course, there's been some criticism of Molly May's
involvement with Pretty Little Thing.
Right.
Some people point out that she's promoting fast fashion,
which has a lot of negative impacts on the environment
and on workers.
It's a valid concern.
And she does address it in the interview.
Yeah, she acknowledges the problems within the industry
and talks about the effort she's making
to promote sustainability and ethical sourcing.
She's also very clear that she's still learning
about these complex issues.
And that she wants to use her role
to make a positive impact.
But it's important to remember that she's just one person
within a massive corporation.
Systemic change takes time.
And it requires effort from everyone involved.
I think what I appreciate about Molly May
is that she doesn't shy away from these tough conversations.
Yeah, she's willing to acknowledge the criticisms
and engage in those difficult discussions.
It shows a level of maturity and self-awareness
that's really refreshing.
It's about using your platform to advocate
for what you believe in, even if it means having
uncomfortable conversations.
OK, so now let's talk about something
a little more personal.
Molly May's relationship with Tommy Fury.
The Love Island romance that actually lasted.
They've been together for a while now,
which is pretty rare for couples who meet on reality TV.
And it's clear from the interview that they were looking
for both of them.
She talks about him with so much affection and respect.
They seem to have this really solid foundation
built on shared values and mutual support.
And it's amazing that they've been able to maintain
such a strong bond despite the constant pressure and scrutiny
that comes with their fame.
They seem to have a very grounded approach
to their relationship, prioritizing quality time
and keeping their personal lives relatively private.
It's like they've created their own little world away
from the craziness of the public eye.
And it's a good reminder that fame and fortune
don't guarantee happiness.
True happiness comes from the people
you surround yourself with and the quality
of your relationships.
Absolutely.
Now, in the last part of our deep dive,
we'll be exploring Molly May's evolving relationship
with ambition and some of the key takeaways
from her journey so far.
We'll be right back.
So you know in the last part, we were talking
about how open Molly May is about the challenges of fame
and just life in general.
Yeah.
She doesn't try to pretend she's got it all figured out.
And one thing that really stood out to me
was how honest she is about her own internal struggles.
Like feeling like she's not always enough,
even with all her success.
Right.
It's something so many people can relate to that feeling
of never quite measuring up.
Yeah, no matter how much you achieve,
there's always that little voice whispering, is this enough?
And for Molly May, that feeling seems
to be both a motivator and a source of conflict.
It drives her to achieve more, but it also
makes it hard to just be present and appreciate what she
already has.
Exactly.
She talks about having to consciously remind herself
to slow down and savor her accomplishment.
It's so easy to get caught up in that constant striving
for more, always looking ahead to the next goal.
And I think that's a really important message,
especially in today's world.
It's like we've forgotten how to just be to enjoy the journey.
Yeah, it's all about hustle and grind
and achieving the next big thing.
But Molly May is starting to realize
that true success isn't just about external achievements.
It's also about personal growth and meaningful relationships
and using your platform for good.
And that brings us to a really interesting decision
she made a few years ago, removing her fillers
and composite bonding.
Right.
That was a pretty big deal, especially
in the influencer world, where there's so much emphasis
on a certain look.
For those who don't know, composite bonding
is a cosmetic dental procedure that
can change the shape and size of your teeth.
And fillers, of course, are injectables
that can plump up lips and smooth out wrinkles.
And Molly May was very open about having both of those procedures
done when she was younger.
Which is totally understandable.
A lot of young people experiment with their appearance.
But then she decided to reverse those procedures
and embrace a more natural look.
Which I think was incredibly brave,
especially in an industry that often promotes
a very specific and often unattainable standard of beauty.
She talked about how social media played a role
in her initial decision to get fillers feeling pressure
to conform to a certain aesthetic.
It's crazy how social media can distort
our perceptions of beauty and make us feel like we need
to change ourselves to fit in.
And her decision to go back to a more natural look
was like a statement saying, this is me
and I'm happy with who I am.
And it sparked some really important conversations
about body image and self-acceptance.
It was a reminder that true beauty comes from within.
From confidence and self-love.
And I think that's something Molly May embodies.
She's so willing to be vulnerable and share
both her triumphs and her struggles.
Yeah, she doesn't shy away from talking about her insecurities
or her anxieties or the challenges she's faced.
It makes her so relatable, even to those of us
who aren't living in the influencer world.
It's like she's saying, hey, I'm just a normal person
figuring things out as I go.
And that authenticity is so refreshing
in a world that's often so carefully curated and filtered.
So as we wrap up this deep dive on Molly May Hague,
what are your final thoughts?
You know, I think her story is a reminder
that success isn't a straight line.
There are gonna be twists and turns,
setbacks and triumphs along the way.
And it's not always about reaching a specific destination.
It's about the journey, the lessons you learn,
the growth you experience.
And it's about defining success on your own terms,
not letting society or social media dictate
what success should look like for you.
Molly May's story is an inspiration.
It's about hard work resilience
and staying true to your values.
It's about embracing your vulnerabilities
and using your platform to make a positive impact on the world.
And it's about remembering that true beauty comes from within,
from self-acceptance and self-love.
And with that, we come to the end of our deep dive
into the life and career of Molly May Hague.
We hope you enjoyed this exploration of her journey
and that you took away some valuable insights for your own life.
Remember, success isn't a destination.
It's a journey.
And it's a journey that's unique to each and every one of us.
So go out there and create your own story.
Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories
and never stop learning and growing.
Thanks for joining us on this deep dive.
We'll see you next time.