TV presenter and model Vogue Williams recently sat down for a heartfelt chat on the popular podcast The Life of Bryony with columnist Bryony Gordon.
As she approaches her 40th birthday, Vogue reflected honestly on how much her life has changed since a difficult chapter years ago — her divorce from Westlife singer Brian McFadden.
Feeling Lost After Divorce at a Young Age
Vogue, now 39, recalled the dark days after her split from Brian in 2017 when she was just 31.
“I really thought my life was over,” she shared.
At that time, she felt like she had completely messed things up and worried she would never get to live out her dreams — especially the dream of having children.
She described those feelings vividly, saying she felt like she had ruined her life and doubted that she’d ever be happy or have the family she longed for.
But as the years passed, Vogue’s outlook shifted dramatically.
“You see how your life actually starts to unfold, and that’s why I’m excited about turning 40,” she said with a smile.
Building a New Life With Spencer Matthews
These days, Vogue is thriving with her husband Spencer Matthews, a star from Made in Chelsea, and their three children — Theodore, Gigi, and Otto.
The couple married in 2018 and despite all the noise and attention around them, Vogue expressed joy in the family life they’ve created.
Still, she admitted that the constant outside scrutiny and rumours sometimes wear on her.
“It’s the outside noise of my job and people outside my family that stress me out,” she explained.
“There are certain people in this industry who are only out for themselves, and they portray a version of themselves that’s not true.”
Managing Anxiety and Staying Grounded
Vogue has been open about her struggles with anxiety for years, a theme she explores more deeply in her autobiography Big Mouth.
She talked about how she manages it now, saying that having a strong and supportive family makes a huge difference.
She also shared practical ways she copes, like cutting back on alcohol since it can trigger her anxiety, and keeping beta-blockers handy but only using them when absolutely necessary.
“It’s this thing in your life you just wish would go away,” she said. “Some days it’s fine, some days it’s a lot worse.”
Handling Rumours and Gossip in the Spotlight
When it comes to dealing with gossip, Vogue has developed a philosophy of letting negativity roll off her back.
“There’s always going to be people spreading rumours,” she said. “Me and Spencer choose to just let it go over our heads.”
She highlighted how social media allows anyone to spread misinformation easily, and that can take a toll.
But Vogue emphasized that having a “great family” and feeling happy in her life means she no longer lets the noise affect her the way it used to.
First Impressions and Unexpected Love
Reflecting on how she met Spencer, Vogue admitted she initially hesitated because of what she’d heard about him.
“I knew I shouldn’t go for him based on what people said,” she laughed.
But when they met, something just clicked. She was drawn to his humor, down-to-earth personality, and a certain Irish charm.
Interestingly, Vogue hadn’t even realized how much younger Spencer was when they met — he’s her “little toy boy,” as she fondly calls him.
Their love story may have had an unexpected start, but it’s clearly blossomed into a strong, happy family life.
To hear the full, candid conversation between Vogue Williams and Bryony Gordon, search for The Life of Bryony wherever you get your podcasts.
And if you’re interested, tickets for the live show featuring special guest Helen Flanagan are available now.