Keeley Hazell reflects on her journey from modelling to comedy
Keeley Hazell, once a staple of Page 3, has transitioned into a multifaceted career as a comedian, actor, and writer. She has recently premiered her Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, Everyone’s Seen My Tits, which draws upon her memoir of the same name, reports BritPanorama.
Hazell earned notoriety in the mid-2000s, being voted the second sexiest woman in the world by FHM magazine. However, she now views her past experiences with complex reflection, having transformed those memories into stand-up material. The show encapsulates her life story, from a troubled upbringing in Grove Park, Southeast London, characterized by domestic abuse and crime, to her eventual success in the entertainment industry.
“The nerdy theatre kid in me is just very, very happy,” she notes, underscoring her excitement about telling her story. Hazell’s childhood was marred by violence; her father’s abusive behaviour shaped much of her early life. As she recalls, “The violence was absolutely horrific, but also incredibly normalised.” Despite these challenges, she began therapy at the age of 13, a process she acknowledges has been crucial to her healing.
Through her teenage years, she engaged in delinquent activities, including shoplifting and setting fires. Early encounters with men left her feeling disillusioned. She reflects, “It was quite sad because it really felt like all men wanted was sex, and it was really devastating to have that message confirmed in that way.” Nevertheless, she maintained a strong desire for education, lamenting the lack of supportive teachers who could have guided her through tumultuous times. Hazell feels she could have excelled academically, perhaps even attending Oxford University, given a more stable environment.
Leaving school at 16, she pursued work as a hairdresser until a chance encounter with modelling changed her trajectory. “It was like a wave of numbness, embarrassment and shame,” she recalls regarding her first topless photo shoot. Winning a modelling competition launched her into the limelight, leading to widespread visibility in men’s magazines, yet also left her feeling disoriented. “There was a disconnect between the image and who I was,” she admits.
Her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in as her modelling success allowed her to invest in property and the stock market, despite the tumultuous personal relationships around her. Her memoir details the negative impact of these relationships, portraying her ex-boyfriends as often violent and troubled. “For pretty much everybody that’s in the book, I gave them an opportunity to read it,” she shares, noting that not all responded positively to her reflections.
Hazell faced significant professional setbacks following the release of a private sex tape, which she describes as “wiping the chessboard away.” Seeking a fresh start, she relocated to Los Angeles and studied acting. Though she landed minor roles in films such as Horrible Bosses, the struggle for a breakout role persisted over ten years.
The turning point came when actor and writer Jason Sudeikis reached out to her, proposing a role in the hit series Ted Lasso. Although she initially believed the part would change her life, the lead role went to actress Juno Temple instead, with Hazell securing a smaller part. “It’s a complete mindfuck,” she admits, reflecting on the success Temple achieved, despite the character being drawn from her own experiences.
Despite these setbacks, Hazell remains ambitious, working as a staff writer on Ted Lasso while pursuing her own creative projects. She expresses the desire for her own television show, attributing her drive to survival instincts honed from her challenging upbringing. “Integrity is incredibly important,” she states, contemplating whether she would encourage her younger self to pursue modelling again. “Probably not,” she reflects.
As her fringe show runs through August 29, Hazell relishes the opportunity to reclaim her narrative, stating, “This is the version of me that I’m choosing to put forward, and not somebody else’s idea of me.”
Keeley Hazell: Everyone’s Seen My Tits is at Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, until 29 August
