Stacey Solomon – "Only I can decide how I want to feel. No one else!"

She first stole hearts on The X Factor back in 2009, but newlywed Stacey Solomon has come into her own as a social media star. Here, she reveals why she can never be anything other than herself, and how she deals with the trolls who try to drag her down

- By Beth Neil

Whatever Stacey Solomon is putting in her tea, she should bottle it. She’d make a fortune. Not only does she possess an indomitable ability to see life’s brighter side, but you’re also unlikely to meet anyone as comfortable in their own skin.

When I’m doing a shoot, people ask: Are you happy with the pictures?” and I say: Well, yeah, because that’s what I look like.” I can’t change me; I’ve looked the same for years!

In my head, I’ve always thought I was really pretty, and so it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, does it? Maybe that sounds big-headed, but I do think I’m really pretty! And I don’t get why it’s shocking to hear someone say that. It’s not that I’m showing off; it’s more that I don’t see that there’s anything wrong with me. I just look like what I look like.

‘I’ve always gone with whatever I want to feel when I look in the mirror. No one can make me feel any particular way. I decide how I want to feel, she adds.

It doesn’t come across as big-headed at all, by the way there is no edge of ego to Solomon. She just knows exactly who she is and is completely at ease with herself in the most refreshing way.

It’s why she refuses to allow her pictures to be airbrushed or filtered; no inches are shaved off her thighs or waist, no body hair or blemishes are removed. What you see is the real deal.