Page 30 of Rescuing Rosie
How to put it tactfully?
‘You started as a model, right?’ Rosie put down her phone next to the teas and pointed to the voice recorder icon. ‘Would you mind?’
Madison shrugged. ‘If you must.’
‘So how did you become an influencer, and make the move into reality TV?’
‘I’m too small for the catwalk,’ she said, ‘so I went the glamour route. Nothing dodgy, mind. I did lots of swimwear and lingerie. It was those shots that got me the big following on Insta. But by my thirties my boobs and bum … you know what? I spenthoursin the gym but it wasn’t enough, so I did what I had to do. I was endorsing make-up and skincare too, so I had to make sure my face was up to the job. The whole lips thing, it's a trend. I wouldn’t get the make-up jobs without the lips. Or with any lines, bags, pigmentation–’
‘Really? Even with Photoshop?’
‘You can’t rely on that, or filters, Rosie. Not when there’s all the video and livestreams too. Then cameTempt Me, and Guy – he’s been my manager since I became an influencer – basically he said I should go the full Kardashian. Do you know the networth of the Kardashians? We’re talking billions. Google Kim before and after, then you’ll understand.’
‘But that’s America. We’re different here –aren’t we?’
Madison sipped her tea. ‘Not so different. My number of followers doubled, along with the size of my bum. But having said all that … the booty’s too much. I’m looking into a reverse BBL.’ She smiled. ‘There you go, Rosie – there’s your scoop.’
‘Gosh, thanks – seriously?’
‘For real. I’m over it. The “proper” media treat influencers like a pestilence, and half of my followers are only there to take the piss.’
‘Can I use that?’ Rosie said hesitantly.
Madison attempted a frown. ‘Guy said we get copy approval, right?’
‘Yes, because it’s paid-for.’
‘Okay then, on the understanding that if my big mouth might get me into trouble, I can change my mind.’
‘Sure. So you think you need to, kind of, de-Kardashian?’
‘Yep, I want to work in TV, so I need to tone things down, especially my bum. I basically live in leggings – I can’t get normal jeans to fit my massive arse and little legs!’
Rosie spluttered with laughter. ‘But look at your waist. So teeny. I barely go in at all, a proper apple.’ A memory squeezed its way past her Rueben-thoughts ban. ‘My ex-boyfriend used to call me Dipsy, after the Tellytubby. Because of my round tummy.’ She paused. ‘And because of my general dopiness.’
‘What a pillock,’ said Madison. ‘Sounds like classic gaslighting. You hear it enough times and you start to believe it. Believe me, I know.’ Her eyes travelled down Rosie’s body. ‘You’re a lovely shape. All in proportion and normal.’
Rosie remembered how, in the gingerbread shop, Guy had referred to Madison in the third person; how he’d talked about her as if she wasn’t there.
‘How long have you been with Guy?’ she asked.
‘We don’t need to talk about him.’ Her tone was abrupt.
‘Right.’
Silence.
‘So … how many staff do you have? Given you’re now officially a mega-influencer?’
‘Everyone’s on short-term contracts, apart from Guy. There’s an accountant, plus this crew. I love Kayleigh, met her through the TV programme. Lucas is my right-hand man. You’ve got to have someone you really trust. Lucas is the only one.’
‘No partner?’
‘Nope.’ Madison picked up her book again. ‘Not since well beforeTempt Me.They all want to shag me but run a mile when I want something more. Womp womp. Like I said, I need to change my image. All I’ve been offered so far this year is Blankety-fucking-Blank.’ She pulled herself up sharp. ‘That last bit – that’s off the record.’
‘TheBlankety Blankpart?’
‘The shagging men part.’
