Square Eyed contributor Elliott Lewis-George chats to Made In Chelsea star and Prince of the ‘pardy’, Jamie Laing about his goals and aspirations outside of the hit dramality TV show.
Some questions may have been created for your entertainment…
Square Eyed: I know it’s considered uncouth to ask so I’ll ask straight away, how old are you? The only reason is because it’s always pretty hard to guess the age of you TV folk. For example that bloke Mark Wright from [The Only Way Is] Essex is apparently 24. He looks about 38 and a half.
Jamie Laing: I’m 23.
SE: What was life like for Jamie Laing before Made in Chelsea? What did you do before the show?
JL: Life was pretty much the same. I was at university in Leeds before the show. I graduated this summer. The only thing that’s changed is people now want to take my picture.
SE: Why University? Is it true that you studied Theatre Studies?
JL: Truthfully I was “in love” with my ex-girlfriend who was at Leeds and the course I knew I would get in on was Theatre Studies, so I decided to go for it. Plus one of my great loves has always been theatre and acting.
SE: So do you dream of treading the boards in the future or is the King’s Road your stage?
JL: It would be fantastic if I did. However I’m taking one step at a time and concentrating on presenting – seeing where that takes me.
SE: How did you get onto Made In Chelsea? Did you have to attend auditions?
JL: A lot of my friends were on it already from the 1st season so they approached me and, after a lot of thought, I decided to go for it.
SE: Okay. Who did you know beforehand?
JL: I knew Caggie, Millie, Rosie, Spencer and Hugo. We’ve all been great friends for ages. Caggie and I had a fling in the past…Chelsea is very incestuous.
Jamie and Spencer simply chilling out in the Made In Chelsea Christmas Special.
SE: What do you reckon makes you an interesting character on MIC?
JL: I’m like a Duracell bunny that never stops and my energy seems to get soaked up by the others. I tend to not let relationships get in the way of having a good time (which is probably why I’m single!).
SE: Would you say you’re still the same energetic cheeky chap when the cameras are off?
JL: Without a doubt!! Probably more so when the cameras are turned off as not everything I say can be filmed.
SE: Do you ever cringe when you watch yourself back on television?
JL: Of course. Especially if you see yourself kiss on camera. Plus I never realised how cheesy I can be sometimes.
SE: Let’s say you were a viewer to the show, who would you relate to the most?
JL: Ollie Locke! We’re both up for having a good time and don’t take ourselves too seriously.
SE: Can you describe your perfect night out?
JL: Tricky…Depends where I am. My Birthday is my perfect night out. I would say my perfect night out is one where the weather is warm, I go for dinner with all my friends, I then go to a club where we ‘pardy’ all night, go to an after party after the club where I meet a girl. Then we go home together for a cuddle…
SE: What’s more important – Making money, making love or having one great big “pardy”?
JL: Another hard question. I think they’re all related in many ways and all important. However I would have to say one great party. I always believe in having a good time. Make the most of things otherwise I’m sure I’ll regret it in the future.
SE: What interests me is the fact that amongst the lavish “pardys” and turbulent relationships you all seem to harbor some real entrepreneurial spirit, from Caggie’s budding music career to Proudlock’s T-Shirt range. What are your aspirations? Do you still fancy yourself as the Willy Wonka of Chelsea?
JL: 100%. I’m going to be the Willy Wonker/Hugh Hefner of Chelsea. I’m in the process of developing a business called ‘Candy Kittens’; it’s a lot of hard work setting up the brand. Towards the summer I’m hoping to have a shop selling sweets and Milkshakes where my ‘Candy Kittens’ will work.
SE: That’s some dream?
JL: I have entrepreneurial drive; we’re all driven people. The dream is to be my own boss! If you climbed inside my mind you wouldn’t want to leave it’s that good. If I try and explain it, it wouldn’t do it justice so I’m not going to try. Like I said before, think Willy Wonker meets Hugh Hefner.
SE: It’s well publicised that you’re the heir to the McVities fortune. Do you think your family’s background in biscuits has encouraged your love for confectionary?
JL: I think there has always been a sweet tooth in the Laing gang, but it’s the entrepreneurial roots we have in our family that has encouraged my love for it.
SE: Who would be your ultimate ‘Candy Kitten’?
JL: Mila Kunis – Beautiful, sexy, flirty, fun, engaging and more…She represents the dream Candy Kitten.
This is Mila Kunis, in case you didn’t know.
SE: In five years time where do you see yourself?
JL: The ultimate dream is to have my own chat show, as well as running the Candy Kittens Empire.
SE: What do you think is the most important ingredient in becoming successful?
JL: Motivation, commitment and some good-luck. Without the first two, it’s hard to be successful.
SE: What defines success?
JL: Depends who you are, but I believe if you’re recognised and respected in your field of work, that’s success.
SE: Do you think making money is the key to happiness?
JL: I don’t think it’s the key to happiness, but I do believe it allows one to have more freedom and fewer things to worry about. I believe the key to happiness is being happy with oneself. If you’re content then happiness will follow.
SE: What does the future hold for Jamie Laing?
JL: Hopefully a lot of fun and interesting times ahead. We only live once so I’ve got to make the most of it.
SE: In five years time which of the MIC crew will have the most successful career?
JL: Me of course…Well I hope so.
SE: Finally, and most importantly, is the Jaffa Cake a cake or a biscuit?
JL: A cake…Obviously.
Love it or loathe it, a 90 minute Made In Chelsea Christmas Special is due to air on E4 this Christmas. Follow Jamie on twitter @JamieLaing_UK.
Elliott Lewis-George writes for online Men’s magazine Umbrella and can also be found on twitter (@ElliottLGeorge).
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