"It's showbusiness, not show... friends" Gemma Collins drops truth bombs on celebrity life
Gemma Collins doesn’t mince her words. The reality icon opened up about her real friendships and snubbed the world of "fake" stars with trademark honesty, leaving fans curious about the price of fame – and who’s really in her circle.
There’s never a dull moment when Gemma Collins speaks her mind. Fresh off her special run in I'm a Celebrity... South Africa and centre stage in her docuseries Everything All At Once, Gemma went on the podcast At Home With The Thomas Bros and revealed a brutal truth: after years in television, she only counts four celebrity friends. No lavish parties, no cliques, just a tight, fiercely protected inner circle. Does this mean celebrity friendships are all for show?
Gemma on keeping it "real" in showbiz
Speaking to Scott, Ryan and Adam Thomas, Gemma didn’t hesitate when asked if she’d met "a lot of fake people." Scott Thomas, himself no stranger to the reality scene, called Gemma "real" – a bold badge in an industry often accused of artifice.
Gemma replied, "Yeah. I don't mix with anyone. I ain't got time for a** licks and I will never a** lick. At the end of the day, you're a fool if you think you've got friends in this business. It's showbusiness, not show... friends."
Fame, according to Gemma, is more solitary than it appears. She prefers to spend time with "real friends," and she made it clear: "With my real friends. I've made four friends since being in TV and that's how it stays. I can't bear seeing the a** licks. They are so, you know, you know."
From red carpets to real life: choosing family over fame
Gemma's approach to celebrity circles is refreshingly down-to-earth. Instead of chasing party invitations, she chooses nights in with loved ones. "TOWIE friends. And Dawn Ward. Love Dawn, absolutely love her. You and DJ Fat Tony. You are all real. Yes. I obviously get invited to lots of parties. I'm not interested. I'd rather be at home with my family," she told the podcast.
If you think celebrity life is all glitz, Gemma is here to shatter that myth. For her, a close-knit group—and nights away from the spotlight—matter more than mingling for the cameras.
Vulnerability, loss, and public response to "Everything All At Once"
This honesty isn’t confined to podcasts. In her eight-part docuseries Everything All At Once, filmed across a year, viewers saw Gemma and fiancé Rami Hawash planning their wedding, grappling with hopes of starting a family, and facing painful loss—including her mother Joan’s passing in July 2026.
The response? Overwhelmingly supportive. Fans described the show as "honest, raw and real", with many moved by her openness about grief and fertility struggles. The focus stayed on relatable pain and joy, rather than Hollywood façades.
Why Gemma’s straight talk strikes a chord
Could her refusal to play "celebrity games" explain her loyal following? People have grown used to seeing celebrities put on brave faces, glossing over the messy bits. Gemma’s motto—"It's showbusiness, not show... friends"—seems to strike a nerve with those craving authenticity in a filtered world.
As the cameras keep rolling and her personal journey unfolds, will others in showbiz follow her example and drop the masks? One thing’s for sure: Gemma isn’t changing for anyone.
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Gemma Collins claims she only has four celeb pals and takes swipe at 'fake' stars
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