Live webchat with Holly Willoughby and her sister Kelly, Wednesday 19 June, 2-3pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Holly Willoughby and sister Kelly are joining us for a webchat on Wednesday 19th June at 2-3pm. Holly and Kelly always dreamt of writing a story together since their childhood when they would make up stories and dress up and perform for their parents. Their dream has come true as their first book School for Stars: First Term at L'etoile is being published on 20th June. Set in a performing arts boarding school, the story is a perfect mix ofGlee and X Factor but with all the classic charm of Ballet Shoes and Malory Towers; full of midnight feasts, makeovers, dares, drama and dance.

Holly is best known for presenting ITV1's flagship daytime programme This Morning as well as prime-time shows Surprise Surprise and The Voice. She won a Children's BAFTA award for best presenter in 2006. Kelly has always dreamt of being an author and is delighted to be realising her dream with her sister.

Come and chat to Holly and Kelly on Weds 19th at 2pm, but if you're unable to join us at that time, post your question in advance to this thread.

Holly and Kelly will also be signing copies of their new book after school next Thursday 20th June at 4.15pm in Harrods Toy Kingdom. Find out more.

Cleowen I would probably have agreed with you until reading above that her publisher's blurb on-line is that HW is a "role model".

Of course plenty of children's TV people have moved into adult orientated stuff, I don't think that's ever an issue is it?

But her publishing team are setting her up as a role model. They are the words they use.

Is Katie Price a role model? She does less 'adult' stuff now and more merchandise of a family friendly nature. I still wouldn't want my DD to look up to her.

I like Hw. I think she is very good on this morning much better than Phil, but the 18-30's nature of CJ means that to me, she isnt a good role model for young girls of 7-8, which I am assuming is the age the books are aimed at.

In fact, CJ isnt even mentioned in the opening post.

Cross-post Shade!

A person can still be a role model to children and participate in adult things, they are adults!

If your DC start researching Holly and Kellys book and stumble across episodes of CJ then it's your fault, you are the one in control of your TVs and computers.

I personally cannot abide the whole cotton balling attitude, it makes parents look helpless and lazy.

Oh and if you do mess up and your child sees something inappropriate they won't self implode either. You could always try talking to them about it instead of running around blaming celebrities.

It's embarrassing the way people expect to be tip toed around.

So Kelly Brook is a role model? Melinda Messenger?

she isnt a good role model for young girls of 7-8, which I am assuming is the age the books are aimed at.

Why not? She is a successful television presenter who has written a book.

The fact the CJ is aimed at 18-30 year olds means that a 7 year old shouldn't even be aware of it so it's irrelevant.

She probably doesn't set herself up as a role model they are her publishers words not her s. Personally I don't see,how she is a role model for children when she does adult stuff before this book..

I agree if she sees herself as a role model and it is stated she is one, she does have some,responsibility to live up to this within reason. In my opinion if she is keeping her adult work and children s work separate then that is fine.

Totally agree Babooshka! Parents are in charge of their computers and tv's where 7/8 year olds are concerned. I also agree that if a teenager does see something like CJ that it would be best to talk to them about it.

I daresay that alot of us have at some point watched something our parents wouldn't have approved of and but it probably hasn't made us run out and re-enact what we watched.

So....

Anyone fancy asking Holly and Kelly a question then?

spottybanana

My dd does often read 10 books in a weekend and my point was she will love something new to try. No idea why you feel so crap about yourself that you have to be rude to another person and see things that aren't there.

Don't worry . . . there will be plenty of easy ones about fifteen minutes before it all starts

Fine.

Go to the Amazon page of her book. Children may do that if they are looking for something they want to buy/want to ask for christmas.

On the 'costumers also viewed this item also viewed' on its amazon page is 2 large posters of Holly. One in a bikini (fine) while one is of her topless with her back to the camera.

So kids dont have to watch CJ to find her more risque work. I am not saying that this isn't perfectly acceptable. It is not however, something that I want my daughter to thing is perfectly acceptable to do, because her 'role model' thinks its okay.

MissStrawberry - talking of people seeing things that aren't there . . . I didn't say your daughter wasn't a prolific reader, why would you think that?

I feel grand thanks .

What was your point then?

HW on LW shortly.

Oh brilliant. The 'researchers' from LW will probably take ideas from this thread!

Colin,off the point of the thread so apologies but:

I don't know how old you are but mass media has changed beyond all recognition from my youth! Just as with computer games
it's NOT about reenactment, more about blurring of lines and erosion of sensibilities.
Of course parents should talk to teens, but good luck with that as they often prefer to listen to their peers, which is where wider society comes into play. I may think CJ is not at all "adult" but puerile, wider society as shown by this thread does not.

This is my point - any child who is intelligent enough to read ten books each weekend and who has read everything in their local library is hardly going to be enthused by a rip-off by-the-numbers product like this, are they?

Shade, I'm sure children will be fine being exposed to um.. a womans back. Amazon is full of inappropriate stuff anyway so best do the online shopping yourself rather than let a 7 year old.

It's just a continuation of the bullshit notion that in order to be a good female role model you must behave yourself.

Some of the most inspiring people have been outspoken and vulgar.

Steve Jobs was an asshole. :o

They will Shade, they will - then the Daily Mail can commission another nest of vipers piece too . . .

letting a 7 year old.

Didn't Madonna and Fergie also write children's books? Did you use the same ghost writer?

No, I feel that in order to be a good role model you should have a talent, or have achieved something real with your life. I dont think you should have to get your kit off and be sexy to do that. Nor do I think presenting appearing on a TV show makes you a good role model.

Ellie Simmonds is a good role model, Julie Deane is a good role model.

Ok proper question to both authors:

Did you read Ballet Shoes as a child?

If so which was your favourite character?

There ARE proper questions here!

To what extent was a ghost writer used?

How does Holly explain the dissonance between her various public personae?

How does Kelly reconcile the fact that it has always been her dream to be writer, but she has only achieved this on the coat tails of her sister's name?

(With regard to the latter, I may be completely wrong and Kelly may be a respected and published author - if so, my apologies and the question would then be: how do you feel about the fact that your previous writing achievements will be filtered through the lens of being Holly's sister?)

Interesting.

Would you feel the same about Ellie if she appeared on CJ, talked about sex and swore a lot? Or if Julie started designing a new line of leather bondage attire?