Tara Palmer-Tomkinson on settling down, facing up to her past and what she really thinks of the Middletons
In an explosive interview, the former socialite opens up about overcoming her cocaine addiction and how she copes with her anxiety
WITH a bottomless bank account and impressive royal connections (her godfather is Prince Charles, no less), Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was the original It Girl.
Back in the 1990s and 2000s she had everything – money, looks and status.
But in true celebrity fashion, what goes up must come down.
And Tara went into free fall, spending years battling an addiction to cocaine that at the height of her problems saw her spending £400 a day on the drug.
As well as being in and out of rehab, in 2006 she underwent cosmetic surgery after her nasal septum collapsed.
However, in recent years the 44 year old has lived mainly out of the limelight after getting clean and launching her own clothing company, Desiderata London.
It would appear to be the reinvention to end all reinventions.
Yet during our chat Tara is jittery, speaks in broken sentences and appears vulnerable.
At one point she bursts into tears, insisting she looks ugly.
It’s a world away from the woman who once arrived at her own birthday party wearing just a bikini, fur coat and snorkel.
Despite claiming she’s turned her life around, there are signs that seem to suggest otherwise.
Reports of odd behaviour included that very public meltdown at Heathrow Airport in 2014, which saw her being dragged away in handcuffs by police.
So what exactly is going on with Tara?
Here, we chat royalty, settling down and facing up to her past.
What was it like being one of the first It Girls?
I was queen of the It Girls! Looking back it was very difficult, because at the time I had no idea I was one. I was in a puff of fame, glamour and powder.
In hindsight, I really wanted to be rich and famous, but I was so off my head on drugs. I think the bikini-and-snorkel night in 1998 was my worst.
I was addicted to cocaine and didn’t want to go out – I just wanted to curl up at home on my bed. I remember walking past all the photographers at the venue and feeling so ashamed and homesick.
Do you have any advice for the new generation of It Girls like Cara Delevingne, 24, and Gigi Hadid, 21?
I don’t have advice. I don’t want to be somebody who gives advice.
You attended Kate and Wills’ wedding in 2011. Will you be on the guest list for Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ big day?
No comment. I’m not friends with the Middletons. I met them because they’re friends with my family. Would you want to go to their wedding?
Yes, we’d love to! Especially to see their dresses…
I think they’re hideous. Do you like the way the Middletons dress? It’s boring little coat-dresses and hotdog-looking tights.
I want to see the future Queen of England in a tiara looking like Princess Diana. She was someone you could never relate to.
That’s the difference – I want to see a fairy tale and you want to see someone who goes to Tesco and queues with a trolley.
I do really like Kate, but I don’t know Pippa. I don’t want to know her – I don’t really care about her much, to be honest.
Wow, OK. You’ve spoken out in the past about your anxiety – how do you cope with it?
I avoid airports! I do work hard on it. I see a psychiatrist a couple of times a month.
It’s amazing how many people suffer from anxiety. It’s all about recognising the triggers. I am medicated for it, but I don’t want to talk about my medication.
You’ve battled cocaine addiction and been to rehab – are you clean now?
I haven’t done drugs for 10 years. I’m a bit obsessed with healthy eating. I need to calm down! If I decide to be healthy, then I am.
I do find myself smoking cigarettes and I have my red wine. I eat a lot, too, and never go to the gym.
I just find it incredibly hard to put on weight.
Do you want to get married and have kids one day?
I don’t think that will happen now. I don’t want children as they scare me.
I have such admiration for working mothers who don’t get any help – they must be exhausted!
I do believe in love, but I don’t see myself settling down. I was in love once, years ago, but I was left a bit heartbroken and I never got that feeling back. The right guy just hasn’t come along.
I also see the way men behave with me as a single woman when their wives are in the kitchen next door. That puts me off.
RELATED STORIES
You’ve released your own clothing line – are you proud of your new venture?
Yes, definitely. I know people might think it’s just a trust-fund business, but it’s not. This is me going to the government and getting a loan like everyone else.
I’m not going to say I’m taking the Tube to work, because I’m not, but I’ve learned the cost of things and I’m doing it on my own. I’m really proud of what I’ve done.
My business is definitely my main focus right now, although I do need to stop myself thinking that money makes the world go round. At heart I’m just a nice country girl.
Check out Tara’s Kubbi clothing collection at .
