From the style icon Vick Hope to the knock-out model Chloé Lloyd and the Instagram star Simon Hooper — meet 2018’s next big things
THIS year has only just begun and already it is bursting with bright, new talent.
We at Fabulous want to celebrate 2018's movers and shakers who you will be seeing much more of over the next 12 months — from the Instadad with more than 750,000 followers, a presenter with a passion for style, and a 17-year-old influencer who just happens to be Mark Wright's sister. Welcome to our Futures special.
The model — Chloé Lloyd
The 25 year old, who’s set to marry Union J star Josh Cuthbert this summer, is signed to The Squad Management.
When did you start modelling?
I began messing about with it when I was 16, then won a modelling competition aged 17, and at 18 I moved to London and started properly.
Who are your model idols?
Kate Moss because she’s cool and British. I also love Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
And everything Gigi Hadid has done is incredible – she’s living my dream!
Have you ever been told to lose weight by a modelling agent?
Yes. When I was at a casting in America, they said I needed to lose an inch off my hips. When I went back two weeks later I’d eaten more and hadn’t hit the gym, but I wore a completely different bikini and they said I looked amazing. Things like that are a joke.
What’s the biggest downside of being a model?
People presume I’m a stuck-up dolly bird, but I couldn’t be less like that. I feel like I’ve been misjudged my whole life. At school, being blonde and into make-up and fashion, I was instantly seen as a dumb female.
Are your lips real or enhanced?
They’re real! I never used to get asked about this until Kylie Jenner became famous. Now everyone assumes they’re fake. When I was little, I used to wear concealer on my lips to make them look smaller.
You’re marrying Josh, 25, in August. Can you reveal any wedding plans?
The venue is quite rock ’n’ roll and vintage. My hen do is planned for Barcelona. And
I think I’m going to get a wedding dress made because I know exactly what I want, but can’t find it!
Do you trust Josh when he’s on the road with Union J and surrounded by besotted fans?
Oh, god, yeah. Some of my friends talk about being insecure with their boyfriends and I don’t understand because Josh totally adores me. I’m so lucky.
Follow Chloé on Instagram
The Instagrammer — Simon Hooper
AKA Father of Daughters, Simon, 35, is married to Clemmie (Mother of Daughters), 33, and they have four children: Anya, 10, Marnie, seven, and identical twins Ottilie and Delilah, 23 months. He has almost 750k Instagram followers since starting his account in February 2016.
When did you decide to give Instagram a go?
Clemmie is a midwife and has long had a blog called Gas & Air, and she used Instagram to back it up. I said to her: “But there are no dads, half the parenting team is missing.” My account was supposed to be an online dialogue for other dads to talk about parenting, but that backfired and 90% of my followers are women!
So you rode on Clemmie’s coattails initially…
Like throughout life!
How did you build up to almost 750k followers?
I think people liked what I was doing. After a month or so, blogs and magazines started to find me online, and before long I was being asked to do interviews. A couple of my posts went viral, so one day I’d wake up and have 15,000 new followers!
I read every message and comment, and try to make it a two-way dialogue.
When did you overtake Clemmie in terms of followers?
It was after about two and a half months, but I don’t think we ever really actively discussed it. It’s not a competition…
Although it is kind of a competition!
Do you worry about sharing too much on social media?
We have thought about how much of our lives we expose. Like, should we be taking photos in the girls’ bedrooms? Some people say: “Do your girls even want to be in these pictures?” So we’re very careful. We realise it has an impact on their lives as well.
Has Instagram got a shelf life?
I caught the crest of the wave with honest parenting. I think there’s going to be a saturation point where everyone is being honest and it won’t stand out. But at this point, I’m just enjoying it.
Could you ever afford to quit your day job as a management consultant?
No, I don’t think I could. I enjoy the challenge of my day job and it keeps me sane! As long as I’m doing the right thing for my children and I’m able to provide for them, then that’s really what I care about.
See more of Simon on Instagram
The style icon — Vick Hope
The 28-year-old Geordie hosts the breakfast show on Capital FM with Roman Kemp as well as 4Music’s Trending Live. She is dating Plebs actor Tom Rosenthal, 30.
How would you describe your wardrobe?
It’s Prince George meets the Fresh Prince meets Prince. I love a freshly tailored white shirt, dungarees and cute loafers, like Prince George. The Fresh Prince wears lots of print, vintage and retro sportswear, and Prince was just flamboyance and opulence.
Who is your biggest style icon?
Grace Jones. My mum used to show me pictures of her when I was growing up and would play her albums. It wasn’t so much what she was wearing, it was the way she was wearing it. She looked like a warrior, a statue. Her confidence was something I really aspired to.
You’ve self-produced some documentaries, including one about racism in fashion. What’s your experience of that?
I did some modelling when I was 16 and was told I was a “palatable kind of brown”. That hit me quite hard. You’re not brought up to think it’s good to be different and the fashion industry has a responsibility to not reinforce that impression.
How did you get into broadcasting?
During a university gap year in Argentina I got a job presenting for MTV, and in my final year I was doing bits and pieces for them in London and at ITN. Then, when I graduated, MTV asked if I wanted to be a runner. I said: “Absolutely!”
You’ve chatted to some big names. Who else would you love to interview?
Beyoncé, but I’m scared that she would disappoint. I’ve seen her live three times and every time I cried.
Last February Tom fake-proposed on your 4Music show. Are you ready for the real thing?
Absolutely not! I am not ready to settle down. My room is a mess and I live with my friends in a house in Hackney! [The producers] thought it would be funny for him to do a fake proposal. He got down on one knee, there were confetti cannons going off, he had a ring. It was so embarrassing!
What’s next?
I’ve been working with the BBC and Channel 4, and I did a pilot recently for Comedy Central with Rick Edwards and Phil Wang, which is really cool. For me, the ideal job would be The One Show because you’re constantly talking to new people.
Vick co-presents the Capital FM breakfast show Monday-Saturday and 4Music’s Trending Live Tuesday-Thursday. Follow
The teen influencer — Natalya Wright
The 17 year old signed to Select Model Management last year and is the younger sister of former TOWIE stars Mark and Jess, and footballer Josh.
You were asked to join TOWIE, so why did you say no?
I was too shy when I was younger and I didn’t really want to go on the television. And then Mark left and Jess left, so it was only my mum and I was a bit like: “I’m not going on there with just my mum!” It was weird because I’d go into school and all the girls would ask me for my brother’s autograph. I used to get so embarrassed.
Have you been attracted to life in the limelight thanks to your older siblings?
They’re all very ambitious. I think I’m being drawn into that as I’m getting older. Being a blogger and an influencer is now a job.
You have nearly 200k followers. Do you feel a sense of responsibility as an influencer?
I always make sure my posts are appropriate due to my age. I like to set a good example!
Who takes your Instagram pictures?
I ask Jess to take a lot. I drive everyone mad! I don’t really ask my mum as she’s not very good at it, and my dad has no patience. He takes one and says: “Yeah, that’s good.” And I’m like: “No, I need more than one!”
What makes the perfect picture?
The right setting, background and a good outfit. People think it’s so easy, but it’s not. There are definitely quite a few pictures taken before the right one goes up.
Follow Natalya on Instagram
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The musician — Not3s
He’s mates with Tinie Tempah, raps about Addison Lee cabs and was once rejected by Simon Cowell. East Londoner Not3s, 19, is a voice to be reckoned with.
What’s your real name?
I don’t ever disclose that. I’ve been Not3s for three years, even my mum calls me that. It means three things – money notes, music notes and take note of me. That’s what I aspire to. It’s all linked.
When did you get into rapping?
When I was four I’d rap every lyric that DMX would spit, even if he was swearing. My dad produces music and mum used to sing in the house, so I think music is in my genes.
I once applied for Britain’s Got Talent, but they didn’t accept me. Idiots!
When did you realise you were going places?
The moment my debut track Addison Lee got played on Charlie Sloth’s set on Radio 1Xtra. I ran around my house screaming: “Mum, I made it!”
Are you dating?
I’m dabbling! I’m too busy for a girl. She’ll want my whole attention and I can’t [give that] because I’m doing shows all over the place. I can’t have a girl on my case like that.
What did you learn from Tinie after collaborating on your track No Drama?
One day we went out to get something to eat, and being in his Lamborghini was a beautiful experience. It reminded me that by working hard I get to repay myself with something good.
What is your dream for 2018?
Anything is possible. I can do anything I want to do and that’s a sick feeling.
Not3s’ EP Take Not3s is out now