When model Gemma Keogh decided to introduce her family to the modelling industry, they were instantly a hit.
The family of five, including husband Stephen and three children Briannah, 11, Kenneth, eight and Kayden, six, quickly found themselves being booked for shoots and have worked with big names including Legoland and Sea Life.
It all started 11 years ago when Gemma, who lives in Chadderton, Oldham, quit her job as a cleaner to pursue her dreams of modelling and acting. The 35-year-old started out as an extra on small shows before going freelance and working her way up the ranks.
She has since appeared in Hollyoaks and Coronation Street as well as adverts for Adidas and Junkyard Golf. The mum-of-three also set up her own business – Gemz Modelling Academy – to help guide beginner models through the industry.
But despite her success, Gemma claims she has been subject to abhorrent abuse from strangers and people once close to her – forcing the family to relocate multiple times.
“We think it’s jealousy because we’ve bettered ourselves and bettered our children,” Gemma told the Manchester Evening News. “I’ve thrived because of our successes and because I’ve made something of myself. I’m very proud of what we have done.
“But some people are not so happy at what we’re doing. I’ve used that as a positive, not a negative, to push through and help my children and husband grow.
“Sometimes I'll get an inbox from someone I don't know. Sometimes they will say good things, sometimes they won't.
“It’s been brought to light a few times to the point where we’ve had to relocate twice because we’ve not been left alone. But we’re still doing our modelling and we have a big family shoot booked in April. Our success has been pushing out of the negative and into the positive, and that’s what the moral of the story is.”
Gemma decided to introduce her family to modelling four years ago and encouraged her husband Stephen, who owns a construction business, to attend a casting audition.
The audition was successful and Stephen, also 35, went on to sign his first contract. The children, Briannah, Kenneth and Kayden also applied to various different production companies and have taken part in regular shoots.
Alongside her work, Gemma says she has started fundraising by holding fashion shows for local charities including Mustard Tree, which helps combat and prevent poverty, inequality and homelessness across Greater Manchester.
And, while Gemma says has no idea why her family are trolled, she says it only makes her want to become even more successful.
“It really took me back to be honest,” she continued. “It’s damaged part of my relationship because it went on for years. It sometimes gets heated when we talk about it and I break down quite a lot. I’m in counselling because of it.
“We’re just trying to deal with it. It’s very strange and upsetting. We’ve had a lot of trolling to the point where I’ve had doctors and nurses tell me I’m very strong as a human. I won’t let it take me or my family down.”
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