Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo: ‘Our new reality show leaves nothing out’
Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo: ‘Our new reality show leaves nothing out’
Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo have long been accustomed to living under public scrutiny, ever since their romance began to unfold on *Made in Chelsea*. From the outset, their relationship has been a subject of fascination for audiences, who have witnessed its highs, lows, and occasional drama. As their bond deepened, the on-screen narrative evolved into the *NearlyWeds* podcast following their engagement, and later rebranded as *NewlyWeds* after their marriage. Now, the couple is taking their storytelling to the next level with a new three-part documentary titled *Raising Chelsea*, which captures their journey into parenthood.
Produced in a vlog-style format, *Raising Chelsea* features only a single camera, allowing for a more candid and unfiltered portrayal of their experiences. “We didn’t have a multi-camera setup, which made it feel more like a real-life documentary,” Jamie explains. “There were times I didn’t even realize we were filming, and Sophie would forget the cameras were there too. That’s what made the process feel authentic.” The approach has led to moments of raw honesty, including intense arguments and vulnerable confessions, which Jamie insists are essential to the show’s essence. “If we’d held anything back, it wouldn’t have been true to who we are,” he says.
“Everyone has arguments, bad moments, good moments, feels up or down and capturing that is real life.” – Jamie Laing
Sophie, however, acknowledges that the level of exposure has not come without its challenges. “There are moments where it feels overwhelming,” she admits. “At times, I’ve even said ‘I’m not doing this’ on camera. Jamie, though, is always pushing to keep everything in, which can be terrifying.” Despite initial hesitations, Sophie notes that the audience’s response has been overwhelmingly positive. “Listeners loved it and felt like they were part of the journey,” she says. “That’s why we decided to maintain the same authenticity for this project.”
The couple’s decision to film their most intimate moments, including the birth of their son Ziggy, reflects their commitment to transparency. “We wanted to show everything, even the messy parts,” Sophie adds. “There’s nothing off limits—no filtered version of ourselves.” Jamie, who also runs the sweets brand Candy Kittens, emphasizes that this openness was intentional. “If there were three cameras, it would feel forced,” he says. “We wanted the audience to see the real us, with all our flaws and triumphs.”
“I’m worse on no sleep.” – Sophie Habboo
While their candidness has made the documentary a unique blend of joy and vulnerability, it has also invited a barrage of public opinions. Jamie recalls a particularly harsh comment: “Sophie thought she’d read the *Daily Mail* one day, and the first thing someone said was, ‘Why does she look like an Afghan hound?’” Sophie laughs at the memory, noting that such critiques are common. “People ask what’s wrong with my eyebrows. They’re so mean, but I guess that’s part of the process.”
Despite the scrutiny, both Jamie and Sophie feel their honesty has created a connection with viewers. “There’s not much authentic TV out there anymore,” Sophie says. “We wanted to make something real, something people could relate to.” Their willingness to share every detail, from pregnancy to parenthood, marks a new chapter in their reality TV career—one that continues to blur the lines between private life and public spectacle.
