A mum who introduced her husband and young children to the modelling industry said they have been a huge hit with major brands - but have suffered abuse and trolling from strangers and people who used to be close to them. Gemma Keogh has blamed the negativity on jealousy because they have "bettered" themselves.
The model quit her cleaning job 11 years ago to pursue her dreams of acting and modelling, starting out as an extra on small shows before going freelance and working her way up. The mum has since appeared on soaps like Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, as well as in adverts for brands like Adidas and Junkyard Golf.
Gemma, from Chadderton in Oldham, also introduced husband Stephen and three children Briannah, 11, Kenneth, eight and Kayden, six, to modelling, and they quickly started getting booked up, the Manchester Evening News reports. They have also worked with companies like Sea Life and Legoland.
The mum-of-three also set up her own business, Gemz Modelling Academy to help guide beginners in the industry, but despite her success, she says she has been subject to horrific trolling and abuse. It has been so bad in the past that the family have had to move multiple times.
She says the abuse has come from strangers as well as people she used to be close with, and blamed it on jealousy. Despite the upsetting trolling, the family are still modelling and even have a big shoot planned in April.
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.”
