Louise Redknapp has shared an emotional and honest reflection on the immense pressure she experienced throughout her nearly two-decade marriage to former Liverpool footballer Jamie Redknapp. The couple, who share two sons—Charley and Beau—were married for 19 years before their separation and subsequent divorce in 2017.
In a candid conversation with Fearne Cotton, Louise detailed the unique challenges of being married to a sports celebrity in the public eye. “Being part of somebody else’s media career — especially as the wife of a sportsman — means everything has to look shiny, perfect, and new,” she explained. “It’s so easy to put pressure on yourself to seem perfect all the time.”
The former singer and Strictly Come Dancing finalist admitted that maintaining this façade led to feelings of perfectionism and self-doubt. She highlighted how society’s expectations to keep up appearances weighed heavily on her, a burden familiar to many living under media scrutiny.
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However, Louise has witnessed a positive shift in recent years regarding conversations around vulnerability and personal struggles. “We live in a different time now,” she said. “People are so honest, and that honesty makes you feel better about yourself. It helps you feel human and accepted, not isolated.”
Since their divorce, Louise has spoken openly about the emotional challenges she faced, including battling negative public perception. She recounted feeling unfairly labeled as the “villain” by online trolls and the toll it took on her mental health. “I almost gave up,” she revealed. “If I didn’t have my kids, I think I would have just given up.”
Despite the overwhelming scrutiny, Louise emphasized her determination to stay strong for her children. “I was going through so much, trying to hold it together for them,” she said. “What happened in our life was private, and everyone is entitled to that. But I was breaking inside.”
Today, Louise is in a happy relationship with Drew Michael, a defence firm executive she describes as “great” and “lovely.” Meanwhile, Jamie has remarried, tying the knot with Frida Andersson in October 2021; the couple welcomed their son, Raphael, in November 2021.