Smiling broadly as she adjusts her long hair before striking a pose in our exclusive photoshoot, it’s clear Mollie Pearce is back in her comfort zone. The resilient 22-year-old had the nation watching through their fingers in horror as she was taken in by treacherous Harry in the finale of the BBC’s smash hit series The Traitors last week, finishing as runner-up.
But although many would struggle to bounce back from such a crushing moment – and the associated loss of a potential fortune – Harry’s betrayal is nothing compared with what she has already had to contend with in her life, and she’s got it all in perspective now.
“I never went in there thinking I was going to win,” she tells hello!. “Getting my story out there, spreading some awareness about stomas, meant more to me than actually winning.”
From the age of 11, Mollie struggled with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition that had a dramatic impact on her health, leaving her constantly ill and unable to lead a normal life. At 18, her condition became so serious that she needed surgery to remove her colon, leaving her with a stoma bag.
“Before the surgery, I struggled to come to terms with the fact that I was going to have a bag for the rest of my life. But I’ve been given a taste of life,” she says. “I would rather have this bag stuck to me forever than go back to how I was living before.”
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Denne historien er fra February 12, 2024-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra February 12, 2024-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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DON'T JUDGE ME! GABRIELA DIVES IN
Celebrity nutritionist Gabriela Peacock takes a peek into the fridge of Celia Walden and Piers Morgan and offers tips on healthy eating
TYING A DOUBLE KNOT
Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma head Down Under for a sunny second wedding celebration
KATE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
As the Princess of Wales turns 43, she is balancing her health and her evolving royal role - with her family at the heart of it all
A WOMAN TRANSFORMED
Hollywood actress Amy Adams on her surprising new role and what brings out her feral side
IN TUNE WITH HER EMOTIONS
As she receives plaudits for her role as opera legend Maria Callas, Angelina Jolie opens up about the solace to be found in singing your heart out
WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
While some stars hit the beach, other celebrities took off to enjoy some of the chicest winter resorts - while keeping cosy in style
SIZZLING STARS FABULOUS AT 50
As a host of A-listers prepares to celebrate a milestone birthday this year, we look at their positive approach to ageing and why they believe they're in the prime of life
CHANGING TIMES
Gabby Logan reveals her secret to coping with 'empty nest' syndrome and how she maintains her mental and physical health
BEWITCHING THE WORLD
As we look back on Cynthia Erivo's rise to fame, her teachers tell us how they knew the South London girl would be a star
LIFE AND ART IN HARMONY
In the Milan apartment and gallery of Katharine and Carl Kostyál, the lines are blurred between their work as art collectors and curators and their loving family life
