They’re two of the biggest influencers in the UK, with over 14million followers between them. And last week, Stacey Solomon and Molly-Mae Hague thrilled fans when they posed for a snap after bumping into each other on their luxury Turkey holidays. Taking to Instagram Stories, Stacey gushed that she ‘fell in love’ with Molly-Mae, her partner Tommy Fury, and their daughter Bambi, calling them ‘the nicest, most down-to-earth family’ – before revealing she’d invited them over to Pickle Cottage.
Now, a source tells heat their new friendship is set to blossom and Stacey, 35, wants to become a mentor for Molly-Mae, 26. ‘The minute Stacey laid eyes on Molly-Mae, she just wanted to wrap her up and protect her from all the craziness that comes with being in the public eye,’ we’re told. ‘Stacey knows Molly-Mae can look after herself, but she just can’t help but be motherly. She has offered to be an agony aunt and help get her through any struggles – and also to take her career to the next level.
‘Stacey is really excited about the new friendship. She feels it’s not every day that you click with another celebrity. There are so many fake people in the world of showbiz, who only want something from you, but Stacey and Molly-Mae caught a vibe with each other and instantly hit it off.’
Stacey had been enjoying a break at the five-star Regnum Carya in Antalya with husband Joe Swash, 43, and children Zachary, 17, Leighton, 12, Rex, six, Rose, three, and Belle, two, along with her extended family, when she bumped into Molly-Mae, who was staying at the same £1,000-per-night resort with Tommy, 26, and Bambi, two.
And it may not come as a surprise that Stacey and Molly-Mae have struck up an instant connection, with the pair having so much in common. They both found fame on reality TV – Stacey starred on The X Factor in 2009, while Molly-Mae appeared on Love Island a decade later. Both women have seen their careers skyrocket ever since, sharing their family lives on social media and even having their own fly-on-the-wall shows.
And while Molly-Mae is already hugely successful, our source says she feels like she has a lot to learn from Stacey. ‘They have so much common ground, and Molly-Mae looks up in awe at Stacey.
She would like to build herself a life and empire like Stacey has,’ the insider continues. ‘Even though she’s already achieved a great deal, Molly-Mae does worry that it could all be over tomorrow. Stacey just can’t believe how similar their situations are and she’s adamant about taking Molly-Mae under her wing.’
Stacey has even offered to be on babysitting duties after revealing that daughter Rose bonded with Bambi on their holidays. And our source adds that she wants to help Molly-Mae and Tommy – who split last August, a year after getting engaged, but rekindled things earlier this year – enjoy some quality time together.
‘Stacey has offered to look after Bambi at Pickle Cottage, so Molly-Mae and Tommy can have some alone time and really sort stuff out,’ we’re told. ‘And then she also wants to have some girl time with Molly-Mae, too, just the two of them, so they can really let rip about life under the spotlight and say whatever they like. It’s just refreshing for Stacey to meet someone that she can trust and who is genuine, and Molly-Mae feels exactly the same way.’
Our source adds, ‘They’re not talking about working together or anything like that just yet, it’s more about creating a friendship. Stacey is a little worried because she doesn’t want to come across as patronising. But she already feels like they’re going to be friends for a long time as they have a genuine connection.’