Sophie Habboo has mastered the art of evolution. From the reality of Made in Chelsea to her current status as a media powerhouse, Habboo’s journey is a masterclass in turning digital influence into a career. Now, she is pulling back the curtain even further between her "Old Hollywood" turn as a BAFTA red carpet host and the launch of her raw, unapologetically authentic Disney+ series, Raising Chelsea. Habboo is navigating the high-stakes juggle of career milestones and first-time motherhood to her son, Ziggy. The podcasting mogul and solo creative force discusses the shift from performed reality to true authenticity, the shifting priorities of her "North Star" era, and why her newest chapter is all about defining herself on her own terms.

You’ve recently stepped into a massive new role as a red carpet host for the BAFTAs. How did it feel to be on the other side of the rope, and did your years in front of the camera on Made in Chelsea give you a secret weapon for interviewing your peers?

I feel so privileged and grateful. Hosting red carpets or hosting in any capacity, especially with my husband, is just amazing. It's where we both really come alive. I always loved being on stage as a child, so to do this fills my cup, and I just love it. Being in front of cameras with Made In Chelsea definitely helped me in many ways - you have to learn improv pretty quickly on that show, and that’s really useful when hosting, as you are quite literally improvising on the spot.

Your new Disney+ series, Raising Chelsea, has been described as your most unfiltered project yet. After years of structured reality TV, how difficult was it to let the cameras in for the raw, unscripted moments that you originally intended to keep private?

Raising Chelsea is totally and unapologetically authentic. It’s me in my realest form. Unfiltered, emotional, grumpy at times, tired at times. There was no performing, it was just us, behind the curtains, being who we are. I think in a world where everything is so produced, edited, and polished, it was important to show that. I’m so grateful and pleased with the reception from the audience - it just shows how much people need to see authenticity.

In Raising Chelsea, you’ve been very open about the juggle between your career highs and the anxieties of first-time motherhood. What is the one thing you’ve learned about work-life balance that you wish someone had told you before Ziggy arrived?

Becoming a mum is the most life-changing thing that's ever happened to me. Before Ziggy, I thought I would still be the same, but with this adorable little human to do all these things alongside of. And yes, in many ways that is the case, but I have fundamentally changed. My priorities have shifted, and I didn’t realise it was possible to love something the way I love my son. Everything I do is for him now, not me. He is my North Star, and although I struggle massively with mum guilt when I’m working, I remind myself that it is him I’m doing it for, and I think being able to show him how I still kept what I love while being his mum is admirable and I hope he’ll be proud when I one day show him what we were up to.

You recently channeled "Old Hollywood" glamour for the BAFTAs. As your career evolves, how would you describe the shift in your personal style, is it moving toward more classic, legacy-inspired looks as you step into these prestige hosting roles?

I think for me, my personal style has always been about what I truly like, rather than following trends. My mum is incredibly stylish, she really should’ve been a stylist. Her vision is amazing, and she puts everything together so well. What she always taught me was to dress for yourself and your shape, not what is in fashion. Choose the colours and shapes that flatter you, and that’s what I try to do. I like subtle tones, black, whites, browns and creams and I like simple, well-tailored outfits. It’s great that 90’s style is kind of of-the-moment right now, because that really is my favourite era and what I always lean towards for inspiration.

How has becoming a mother changed the way you approach your creative projects, like NewlyWeds or NearlyParents? Do you find you're gravitating toward different kinds of stories now?

Our podcast, NearlyParents, will always be about me and Jamie and our relationship, banter and humour to the core. But naturally, our stories will change with Ziggy being in our lives. But we believe it will still resonate for people of all ages, it’s about stories of our “firsts” in every way. As 30-somethings, as newlyweds, as young people navigating life, solo and together, as new parents. I feel like people come back to it for the authenticity, and because they relate so much to the spirit of the stories, and that’s what the show will always be about.

You’ve always been a powerhouse in the podcasting space. With the arrival of Ziggy, How has the NearlyParents conversation evolved? Are you finding a new sense of community with listeners who are navigating these same messy and scary phases?

Our podcast community and our audience has really been on this journey with us. So many of them have got engaged at the same time as us, and now are on the journey of parenthood with us. It’s so special. It feels like we’re so connected. They root for us and we really love and root for all of them.

You and Jamie have essentially built a "podcast-to-prestige" pipeline, moving from highly successful digital audio into a Disney+ documentary. As a co-creator of this content, do you see yourself moving further into the production and executive side of the industry?

Jamie and I both really love getting involved with the production of both the podcast and Raising Chelsea. Both teams at JamPot (podcasts) and Disney/Dorothy Street (Raising Chelsea) make it so easy and enjoyable. It’s definitely something we are both excited to explore more.

Your families play a big role in the new documentary. What is one childhood tradition from your own upbringing that you are most excited to pass down to Ziggy as he grows up?

My family was just unreal growing up. So many traditions and family moments, but one I especially loved was that my mum used to always give us a set of new pajamas on Christmas Eve, and we all put them on. I’ll be taking that one on with my family for sure! Ziggy had his first pajamas this Christmas.

As you launch Raising Chelsea, what is the one part of your "pre-motherhood" career that you’re most proud of, and how has that foundation allowed you to build the diverse media portfolio you have today?

There are so many to choose from, but I’ve been really proud of some of the campaigns I’ve done with brands I love. To date, pre-motherhood, my favourites are partnering with Max Factor as their UK face, and appearing nationwide. Aveeno campaign last year - it was such a pinch me moment to see the pictures on billboards across London and on black cabs all over the city. As a whole though, we are so proud of our media company, JamPot Productions. The team is amazing and supports us daily in the making of our podcasts and Raising Chelsea. I feel so grateful to be able to take advantage of these opportunities and I don’t take any of it for granted.

Beyond the "newborn bubble" and the red carpets, what is the one thing you’re most excited to prove to the industry about who Sophie Habboo is as a solo creative force? If this chapter had a title, what would it be?

What excites me the most is proving that I can take everything I’ve built as a co-founder, and translate that into something entirely my own. I’m incredibly proud of the media company we’ve created together. It’s been such a defining part of my journey, and I’ve been hands-on in shaping it from day one. That experience has given me the confidence to trust my instincts, back my ideas, and understand what it really takes to build something that connects with people. This next step is about applying all of that to a vision that’s completely mine. Building a brand as a solo founder feels like a different kind of responsibility, and a different kind of freedom. It’s about making decisions that are entirely my own, taking risks on my own ideas, and proving to myself as much as anyone else that I can stand independently in this space. If this chapter had a title, it would be ‘Build Together, Define Alone’.

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Sophie Habboo
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: David Reiss
Fashion Stylist: Sarah-Rose Harrison at The Wall Group
Hair: Nicolette Bella
Makeup: Willis Galbraith at The Only Agency
Photography Assistant: Stefania Carli
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Lily Kalbasz, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

From Reality to Red Carpets: Sophie Habboo’s Evolution