Millie Mackintosh has parted ways with her long-term manager, close friend and godmother of her two children, in a bold move to finally distance herself from her Made In Chelsea past.
The mother-of-two’s decision to end her professional and personal relationship with Donna Rooney has stunned mutual friends, who had assumed their bond was ‘water-tight.’
Insiders suggest Millie, 36, was desperate to sever ties with her reality TV roots, fearing that the association was holding back her career and preventing her from landing more ‘credible’ opportunities.
The split has left Donna, a friend of over a decade and a close figure in Millie’s daughters’ lives, who was even given the honour of being their godmother, ‘deeply upset.’
According to sources, Millie, who shares children Sienna, five, and Aurelia, four, with husband Hugo Taylor, has even unfollowed Donna on Instagram, and friends claim ‘there is no way back’ after what the agent allegedly called a ‘betrayal.’
Millie has now signed with YMU, the agency behind stars including Ant and Dec, Simon Cowell, Davina McCall, and Claudia Winkleman, who officially welcomed her as a client last week.
Millie Mackintosh has parted ways with her long-term manager, close friend and godmother of her two children, in a bold move to finally distance herself from her Made In Chelsea past
The mother-of-two’s decision to end her relationship with Donna Rooney (pictured with Millie’s children) has stunned mutual friends, who had assumed their bond was ‘water-tight’
Insiders suggest Millie was desperate to sever ties with her reality TV roots, fearing that the association was holding back her career
She hopes the move will open doors to television opportunities, boost her brand presence, and most importantly finally shed the ‘reality star’ label.
A source told The Daily Mail: ‘Millie has become increasingly disenchanted with still being known as an ‘ex Made In Chelsea star.’ Whatever venture she tips her toes into, the label seems to follow her everywhere – and she’s had enough.
‘The show made her name, but she hasn’t appeared on it for over a decade and to her, it feels like another life.
‘So, in order to finally make a clean break from it, she made the difficult decision to part with Donna.
‘They have been friends for over a decade, Donna is the godmother to Millie’s children, they have holidayed together for years, and share countless memories.
‘Donna treats Millie’s children as if they were her own and would spoil them whenever she could.
‘But business is business for Millie and she felt the move would benefit her career. It’s needless to say but Donna was extremely upset by the total lack of loyalty. She thought they were a team.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Millie’s representative and Donna for comment.
A source revealed: ‘They have been friends for over a decade, Donna is the godmother to Millie’s children, they have holidayed together for years, and share countless memories’
In a sweet post dedicated to Millie’s youngest daughter, Aurelia, Donna revealed that the little one even calls her ‘auntie’ and wrote that she ‘adored the double warmth of her cuddles’
In July last year, Donna shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute to Millie on her birthday, posting a video of the pair’s memories and writing: ‘So many adventures and too many hysterical laughter episodes for any reels to capture.
‘The happiest of birthdays to you darling @milliemackintosh a wonder woman to many and a superhero to your gorgeous girls, not to mention the juiciest bum out there! We adore and love you… celebrations when you’re back.’
Last May, she also shared an Instagram post wishing Millie’s oldest daughter, Sienna, a Happy Birthday, calling her the ‘sweetest princess.’
In a sweet post dedicated to Millie’s youngest daughter, Aurelia, Donna revealed that the little one even calls her ‘auntie’ and wrote that she ‘adored the double warmth of her cuddles’ and that her ‘belly laughter fuelled her for the week ahead.’
As godmother, Donna joined Millie and their friend Charlie Boud, founder of children’s food brand Rumble Tums, to celebrate Aurelia’s christening.
Sharing a photo of the trio in coordinating pink and white dresses in April 2022, Donna wrote: ‘Just call us the G’s. Godmothers who coordinate are always the best tag team! @charlieboud1 I couldn’t wish for a better partner in crime to share this honour with.
‘Thank you for the most magical day @milliemackintosh @hugotaylorlondon and of course, little sweet Sienna.’
While Donna’s Instagram over the years highlights her dedication to Millie’s career and the love she has for her young family, the former E4 star appeared to make a clear statement last week when she was unveiled as the latest talent to sign with YMU.
In a joint post announcing the signing, which welcomed ‘content creator, author and wellness advocate’ Millie to the agency’s roster, she commented ‘so excited,’ with her husband Hugo offering his congratulations.
Just hours after the announcement, Millie also shared a cryptic Instagram quote that read: ‘Plot twist: the ending you feared is the beginning you needed.’
The mystery deepens as Millie’s mother, Georgina, continues to follow Donna and engaged with her account as recently as July, while Millie’s interactions have come to a complete halt.
Just hours after the announcement, Millie also shared a cryptic Instagram quote that read: ‘Plot twist: the ending you feared is the beginning you needed’
While Donna’s Instagram highlights her dedication to Millie’s career, the E4 star appeared to make a clear statement last week when she was unveiled as the latest talent to sign with YMU
Last week, The Daily Mail reported Millie’s ex Made In Chelsea co-star Spencer, 37, had also split from his management company to join forces with YMU.
His wife Vogue Williams, 40 who is currently starring in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, will be remaining with Money Management, but Spencer made the move to strengthen his own brand and move his ‘professional life’ away from his wife.
Former TOWIE star Megan McKenna, who has spent years reshaping her image from reality TV hothead to country singer and devoted mother, also parted ways with her longtime manager this year to sign with YMU.
Industry sources say that after years of working primarily with TV talent, YMU is now investing heavily in influencers and has developed a habit of luring established clients away from their long-term managers.
An insider added: ‘It’s becoming a bit of a pattern, first Megan, then Spencer, and now Millie.
‘These are all celebrities with reality TV pasts who have successfully rebranded themselves and carved out entirely new careers. But now it’s time for many of them to take things to the next level with an agency like YMU.
‘The challenge they may not have anticipated is that, while they’ve signed with a huge talent firm, their direct point of contact is often someone far more junior, and likely less loyal, than their former management.’
Since leaving reality TV, Millie, who’s married to former co-star Hugo, has carved out a career in the wellness space and become a vocal advocate for sobriety
Millie first found fame in Made In Chelsea in her early twenties and remained a fixture on the show for 13 years, alongside fellow original stars including Spencer and Caggie Dunlop.
She became a fan favourite thanks to her dramatic storylines and impeccable fashion sense, even launching her own clothing line.
It was on the series that she met rapper Professor Green, her first husband, with whom she was married from 2013 to 2016, though she had quit the show for good in 2012.
Following their high-profile split, Millie began dating former co-star Hugo Taylor, 39 and the pair tied the knot in 2018 and now share two daughters.
Since leaving reality TV, Millie has carved out a career in the wellness space and become a vocal advocate for sobriety, speaking openly on social media about giving up alcohol.
She also wrote her book about sobriety, Bad Drunk, and frequently shares candid posts reflecting on her lifestyle overhaul and troubled past.
Her move to YMU is seen as a strategic step to secure more mainstream television opportunities, boost her brand, and increase her presence on TV and streaming platforms, all while finally stepping out of the ‘reality star’ shadow.
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