Latest news with #UglySisters
Sunday World
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
New Irish Love Island star unrecognisable in old modelling snaps
Megan Forte Clarke is on the new season of the dating show The 24-year-old Dubliner joined the cast of the ITV dating show as it returned to screens last night. The brunette beauty has a host of snaps from throughout her life on social media site Instagram. Megan starring in Snow White at a production in Tallaght Pictures of the musical theatre lover show her as she played Snow White in a production at the Civic Theatre in Tallaght. More recently, she played one of the Ugly Sisters in a production of Cinderella. Other snaps show her as a teenager, modelling in grungy make-up and clothing. Megan Forte Clarke / Instagram Forte's look has been compared to that of fellow Irish Islander Maura Higgins who appeared on the programme in 2019. An insider previously told MailOnline that the show's producers are hoping she will be just as popular as the Longford model. 'Megan is a gorgeous girl, she's funny, and right now, couldn't be unluckier in love, making her the perfect Islander. 'Comparisons to Maura are inevitable and if anything, Megan will see it as a huge compliment.' Ahead of the show's return on Monday, June 9th, Clarke opened up about the type of man she's looking for in the villa. Megan Forte Clarke 'Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus,' she said. 'I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. 'I'm 5ft1 so any height really.'When asked about her 'claim to fame', the theatre lover said: 'Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. 'Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto.' Read more She joined 11 other contestants, hoping to find love in the sun this summer, including fellow Irish singleton Conor Phillips. The Limerick rugby player has played for both Ireland and Munster. Ahead of his debut on the ITV dating show, he said he is looking for a 'dominant woman.' 'Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman.' Conor Phillips When asked if he would be hired or fired by presenter Maya Jama based on his flirting skills he said 'definitely hire.' 'I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby,' he said. 'It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course!' The Limerick man said his biggest ick was someone who was 'too needy'. 'I like someone to be independent and do their own thing and then we come together and do our thing.' Megan Forte Clarke / Instagram News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday June 10 When asked to finish the statement 'You're a 10 but…', he confessed: 'I don't like to answer to anyone else. 'I like to do my own thing. It's something I'm working on for a relationship. Hopefully I've improved!' During the first episode of the series, Conor coupled up with 29-year-old Londoner Helena Ford, while Megan went with 22-year-old Tommy Bradley.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Love Island star Megan Forte Clarke looks unrecognisable before finding fame as her glam makeover is revealed
Love Island star Megan Forte Clark looks totally unrecognisable in unearthed snaps of her before finding fame. The energy broker and actress, 24, is one of the 12 new islanders set to step into the iconic villa on Monday evening. Originally from Dublin, Megan has been dubbed a Maura Higgins lookalike from the minute she was rumoured to be in the line up. But old snaps of the star show her looking wildly different in her younger years before undergoing a glam makeover. Musical Theatre-loving Megan was seen posing for snaps with her pals sporting a backwards cap in costume for a production of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, while another snap showed her in a fresh-faced selfie. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Originally from Dublin, Megan has been dubbed a Maura Higgins lookalike from the minute she was rumoured to be in the line up Megan could also be seen sporting a very grungy style in a beanie hat and purple lipstick, as well as a fishnet face covering. She recently starred as one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, but she's likely to get the pulses racing on the ITV2 show due to her sassy Irish charm, which sparks further similarities to Love Island legend Maura. And Megan recently shared her priceless response after she was branded a 'Maura clone'. Commenting on the comparison and admitted it feels, 'Like unreal and like weird? Yes, thank you. Biggest compliment ever.' Maura, 34, is one of the show's success stories, staying in the Love Island family after reaching the final with Curtis Pritchard on series five in 2019. She went on to become the social media presenter for Love Island USA and Love Island Games, before taking her talents across the pond to present Love Island USA: Aftersun. And ITV bosses are hoping that Megan can recreate some of Maura's Irish magic on the series this year. Megan also revealed she shared a connection with Harriet Blackmore who featured in last year's Love Island. Megan could also be seen sporting a very grungy style in a beanie hat and purple lipstick, as well as a fishnet face covering 'I actually am friends with Harriet from last season. We worked together in Brighton for two years, so she's prepared me,' Megan explained. 'She's been telling me what to pack and stuff. So I feel like that's been a big help having her. 'I'm just excited, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I'm buzzing to get in there,' she added. Megan shared that they had a further connection to one another and went to the same university and went on to work together. She said: 'So we actually went to the same uni, but not at the same time, which is funny, but we worked in flannels together in Brighton.' The energy broker and actress, 24, is one of the 12 new islanders set to step into the iconic villa on Monday. (L-R Harry, Blu, Alima,Tommy, Megan, Helena, Ben, Sophie, Meg, Sharkia, Dejon and Conor) Megan has a distinguishing feature that won't go unnoticed, a Harry Potter-style lightning scar on her forehead, which she claims was a result of her 'slipping and falling down the stairs.' The actress already has a sizeable TikTok following and the social media platform is where she makes her comparison with unlucky-in-love Bridget. She said: 'I am the modern day Bridget Jones. Can I hold a man down? Don't be silly. 'Have I just been ghosted again? Absolutely. Am I still funny AF with great t*ts? Obvs.' NAME: Sophie Lee AGE: 29 FROM: Manchester OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and 'do not cross' signs IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self. NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! NAME: Tommy Bradley AGE: 22 FROM: Hertfordshire OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though. WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair NAME: Alima Gagio AGE: 23 FROM: Glasgow OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number. But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway. NAME: Ben Holbrough AGE: 23 FROM: Gloucester OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here. NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. NAME: Megan Forte Clarke AGE: 24 FROM: Dublin OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really. CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto. NAME: Blu Chegini AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting! NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! NAME: Toni Laites AGE: 24 FROM: Connecticut OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together. I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners. NAME: Kyle Ashman AGE: 23 FROM: Stafford OCCUPATION: Water operative WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that's fun, confident and just themselves. I'd say I'd be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Katie Piper says aging is a bereavement, but why do women fear growing older
Death comes for us all, but what does it say about us as a society when we view our aging bodies as a kind of early death? This week, presenter Katie Piper told audiences at Hay Festival that 'aging is like a bereavement,' as she promoted her new book Still Beautiful: On Age, Beauty and Owning Your Space. There is much to be commended for this book: not least in the celebration of the aging process, which is not granted to everyone. Growing older is a privilege. Katie explained that: "Women age out of the male gaze. I was ripped from the male gaze at 24. I didn't just become invisible. I became a target for people saying derogatory things." Katie added: "Sometimes we know we're losing somebody or something, and it's slow, it's gradual, and when it's ageing, we look down at our hands, we see they look different. We catch ourselves in the shop window, and everything's changed." While Katie's experiences may differ from most, there is a broader concern here. Why do women fear growing older? The spectre of the older woman feels almost cartoonish, I immediately think of Madam Mim in Disney's Sword in the Stone or the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella. Then there's the Bridget Jones's Diary where body weight and calorie intake was counted ad nauseum. Both the Disney cartoons and Bridget Jones show what is it like to exist beyond the male gaze, and it wasn't favourable. Horrifyingly, these unhinged, unkempt women were rolled out in movies consumed by young girls. These cultural moments that show the pains of being undesirable have grown tendrils, seeping into our collective fears. In recent years, there has been a staggering increase in Botox - with teenagers turning to the muscle relaxant to promote a more youthful look despite them being the very definition of young. High street clinics have popped up all over the country, offering 3 for 2 on areas of the face and Christmas deals. It's nothing short of dystopian. These frozen facial muscles are the very muscles that let us express anger and joy! Giving up the ability to express ourselves is a frightening development. For a period of time, there were movements that eradicated body-hair shame and celebrated bodies of all shapes and sizes for being unique and wonderful. And Pamela Anderson and Alicia Keys ditched make-up heavy red carpet looks. It felt liberating. But, if Katie's comments speak to anything it is that women are still shackled to the male gaze. Why does feeling undesirable to men cause not only feelings of being unworthy, but worse: as if we are not alive at all? It is vacuous to weigh a woman's worth by her appearance. But to tackle the issue at hand here, let's start with sentience first. Aging women are not warm corpses waiting to be buried. Growing older is not a kind of death. When did we start hating ourselves so much that we view aging as akin to being dead? There is nothing to be feared about 'aging out of the male gaze'. Nobody should be situating their worth in relation to the desire of others. Learning to love ourselves regardless of our appearance is a central tenet of living a happy life. But why are people, like Piper, viewing the aging process in this way? Possibly as it can come with restrictive employment opportunities, perhaps. As actresses such as Anne Hathaway and Emma Thompson have spoken out about not being cast in roles due to their age. In fact, Backstage reported that people over 40 acting in leading role is 21% for women while for men it is 34%. There is much to be angry about that women lose out on opportunities in the workplace as they age. Let's try and stay off the Botox so we can convey some of that fury. Helen Coffey at the Independent agreed with Piper, saying: 'Most of us are in the denial stage of grief' about aging. But also added: 'When we prize youth as the only thing worth having, we devalue the much more worthwhile gifts of wisdom and experience. When we strive to stay the same, we deny the much more rewarding path of evolution and growth.' It's time to stop unduly celebrating youth for youth's sake. A wrinkle on the forehead should not be a bump in the career, and it absolutely must not be read as a 'bereavement'. It is okay to feel unsteady that life is changing. That is natural. But we must begin to celebrate women's aging bodies, wrinkles, greys and all.
