19 May 2024 , 06:00
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After four failed engagements, including one to action star Jason Statham and another to Hollywood actor Billy Zane, Kelly Brook is happier than ever thanks to her marriage to Italian model and actor Jeremy Parisi.
The 44-year-old – who’s best known for her modelling career and co-hosting the afternoon drive-time show on London’s Heart Radio from Monday to Friday – found love with Jeremy in 2014. The couple, who tied the knot in a lavish Italian ceremony in July 2022, now live in London alongside their adorable Cavapoo dog, Teddy.
In our exclusive interview, Kelly opens up on finally meeting the man of her dreams and also reveals how quitting acting after 28 years means she can focus on TV projects with her husband. One of which is upcoming ITV eight-part show La Dolce Vita, where the couple take a break from their hectic London lives to try out a big rural adventure – living and working on the Parisi family farm in Arpino, Italy.
The couple got married two years ago (WireImage)
Kelly said she is now obsessed with her dog (PinPep)Kelly, you must feel settled after struggling for years to meet someone compatible...
It’s difficult in our industry to find someone who looks like Jeremy and has the full package. I knew straight away that he was different. He is funny, cool and is a class act. If you met him, you’d get it. He’s charming and he has been a big part of my life. But because he’s no drama, everyone [the press] just left him alone and we’ve been able to get on with it. He finds it strange that in the UK we are a gossipy culture.
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Did you ever believe you were going to meet the man of your dreams in Hollywood?
I didn’t think I was ever going to meet a guy like him in Hollywood. You don’t go to Hollywood to find the love of your life. You’re there for different reasons and you might have a bit of fun along the way. But no one’s meeting the love of their life in Hollywood. I knew it would be somewhere else.
Kelly Brook has teamed up with Homesense to launch ‘Barkitectural Digest (PinPep)
Kelly said she did not see herself as getting married (UK Press via Getty Images)Is marriage something you thought you’d eventually do?
I never wanted to get married before. But when I met Jeremy, it all changed. I could see my life with him. Being married for the past two years has taken over everything. I’ve changed my name and I’ve got my new name Parisi on my passport.
How has your life changed since tying the knot?
It was such a change to move to London. I sold my house in Kent last June. I’m getting older, simplifying my life and settling down. It’s been an interesting time.
Would you say you’re still in the ‘honeymoon phase’?
We had an incredible wedding and we were watching our wedding video the other day. I wish we could do it all again. Our wedding was small and Italian-based. I didn’t put any pressure on people to come from overseas other than immediate family, and I did promise everyone we would have a big party in London. I haven’t got around to that yet, so that needs to happen.
‘Barkitectural Digest’ is a digital content series to inspire pet owners wanting to give their pets a life of luxury for less (PinPep)How will you celebrate your second wedding anniversary?
We went to Camber Sands in Sussex for our honeymoon, but I think we’ll go back to Italy. We try and go every year. We don’t go that far any more because of our dog Teddy.
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But now La Dolce Vita has been green-lit to become a series, will you spend more time there?
My husband is Italian, from a place called Arpino, a small mountain village near Rome. We got married there. He has an olive oil farm and his family works in the factory, which is what our pilot TV show La Dolce Vita is all about. It’s still being worked up into a TV show. The filming dates and when it’s going to air are yet to be finalised. It’s a complicated process but it’s so exciting. We’ve filmed Celebrity Race Across The World. I’m not allowed to talk about that yet, but it was challenging.
So did you and Jeremy clash?
Being together for such an intense period, Jeremy and I got on alright. When we first met we were in different countries; I was in LA, he was in Paris. So a lot of our relationship has been transatlantic. We’ve got a lovely life in London with Teddy, but we’ll get to do things like Celebrity Race Across The World. It’s good to be taken out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself now and again, as a couple, and also individually.
Kelly said her interests have changed as she has grown older (PinPep)Have you got any more romantic trips planned?
It’s funny because I booked a trip to Port Lympne Safari Park to stay in the Lion Lodge, where you can sleep next to the lions. It looks incredible, and there’s never any availability. I called Jeremy and I said, “I managed to get us a weekend there,” and he said, “Teddy’s going to love that,” and I said, “No, we can’t take Teddy.” He was upset as it was a weekend that we were going to have to leave him. For most of our holidays and weekend trips, if Teddy can’t come, we don’t go. Teddy is family. Our day revolves around him.
You used to model, do you feel like you still want to?
I’m comfortable with where I’m at in my life, in my career and in my relationship. I don’t mind getting older. It doesn’t freak me out at all. My life’s evolved and I’m not seeking the gaze of males and I’m not trying to be a bikini model now. It’s not that I can’t be a bikini model because I’m 44 and heavier. It’s more that I’ve been there and done that and I don’t really care much about how I look any more.
"I’m comfortable with where I’m at in my life," said Kelly (PinPep)You worked with [rapper and TV personality] Big Narstie for a podcast called Life Gains about getting fit and losing weight. Can you tell us more?
It was good fun. I was so excited when SlimFast got him on board and we did a campaign together. I enjoyed working with him and there are plans to collaborate and to do another podcast.
It sounds like you’ve had a total transformation, Kelly!
I do think your life changes: you evolve, you grow up and your interests change. I’m now obsessed with my dog and gardening. I can’t say I was obsessed with animals and gardening 20 years ago. I moved to my house with Teddy in mind because I wanted a garden and lots of green space and to be able to walk to the green spaces.
Is that why your latest project with TK Maxx and their Homesense campaign seemed like the perfect fit?
This campaign is all about home and Teddy and how your life changes. Because he’s a lockdown puppy and he had us at home for so long, he demands a lot more of our attention. He’s got dog treats in every room, different dog bowls, and his little suitcase when we go shopping. But people see the happiness my pet gives me so why wouldn’t I want to give him the same? Why wouldn’t I want to make my house beautiful for my dog? Not only do I decorate with Teddy in mind, but what Homesense have done is focus on an area within the store with dog beds that mix in with your taste and style. They have washable rugs and blankets to cover up if they’ve chewed something, too. But it’s all stylish.