Hollyoaks star Jamelia on Drama Queens, Sharon exit and major cast cull

 "It's not as glamorous as you'd probably imagine."

Hollyoaks star Jamelia features in emotional real-life scenes in this week's episode of Drama Queens, the new ITVBe documentary show focusing on female soap cast members.

Jamelia is one of nine soap favourites who are starring in the reality series, which is currently airing weekly on Wednesday nights.

In tonight's episode, Jamelia opens up further about her decision to leave Hollyoaks and how it was secretly influenced by real-life events. Behind closed doors, she has been adjusting to life as a single mum after a sudden split from her long-term partner while she was pregnant in 2022.

 recently caught up with Jamelia for an exclusive chat about Drama Queens, leaving her Hollyoaks role as Sharon Bailey, and the recent behind-the-scenes turmoil at the Channel 4 soap.

"Honestly, I didn't hesitate for a moment when I heard about the idea for the show. I thought it was such a fantastic opportunity for people to see the real life of soap stars.

"One thing that was important to all of us was that Drama Queens is actually real – it's not this sugarcoated, airbrushed or filtered version of reality.

"Actually it's: 'No, come into my house, come and help me do the washing!' You might sometimes see the glitz, glamour and fame side of things, but there's actually a real life here that's going on behind the scenes."

Do you think fans will see the cast involved in a different light after this?

"I think when we realise that everyone is human, we'll be a bit kinder to each other – and also a bit kinder to ourselves.

"What was documented on the show wasn't just the highs but also the lows. There are moments on the show where it's not pretty and it's not as glamorous as you'd probably imagine.

"Also, from my perspective as a mother, it's important to let everyone know that we're all doing the juggling thing. Sometimes it's a struggle for all of us. All of us on the show are on different seasons and stages of womanhood and motherhood."

How was it to watch the first episode back last week?

"It was just so beautiful to watch – and just to sit down and find common ground. There were so many moments in which I felt seen and I felt connected to the other women on the show.

"This is the side that is so important for us to see – a human picture of everyone. It doesn't matter where you work, as things like illness, hardship and struggle can affect us all. Being in the public eye or being on telly doesn't make you immune to anything – you just have to deal with it.

"I think people will find common ground in that and think: 'Okay, it's not just me'. I felt that and I hope other people do too."

"They were all insistent that they were a part of it! I told them: 'Mummy's going to be on camera'. My 6-year-old was like: 'Well, am I going to be on camera too?' They absolutely loved it and I knew they would.

"They're basically showbiz kids, so they're not afraid of cameras. Probably only the baby was a little bit like: 'Oh, what's going on here?' But they're very used to that side of things, so it wasn't hard.

"My older daughters just wanted to make sure that their hair and make-up was done. But by the end of our scheduled filming, everyone was way more comfortable about that and we didn't have to look a certain way.

"It was like: 'No, let people see the reality'. All four of them are involved, with their own little storylines going on. It was a lovely thing to do as a family."

Did you have to set any boundaries when it came to what the Drama Queens team could film?

"From my side, I did have boundaries. I didn't want to film too much stuff inside the home.

"Basically, the last two years of our lives have been really, really difficult and we've been forced to come together as a family. At that point, for two years we hadn't had another person in our home. For a whole camera crew to be bowling in would have been really difficult for us.

"There is some filming inside the house, but that's just with me. Where the girls are, it's in a different part of the apartment complex that we were in.

"That was the only thing – and it was just more about the girls not being ready for that kind of thing. But if you watch the show, it will become apparent why I set that boundary."

Are there many scenes showing you with the other Drama Queens?

"For me, we didn't do as much as I would have liked to. We filmed from January to March and I would say that I spent around six weeks of it sick! So it was really difficult for me to do anything outside of Liverpool, where Hollyoaks is filmed.

"When I wasn't sick, one of the girls was sick and it just literally went around the house. It took a lot of time out of my filming time and ability, on top of me being busy working on Hollyoaks. I don't even think I'm in every episode for that reason – everyone having the lurgy in my house!"

We know that you've finished filming on Hollyoaks now and leave on screen shortly. Are you glad that you had this time in Soapland?

"My goodness, it has been amazing. I'm so glad that I took the plunge and said yes to Hollyoaks. Even though it was during the most difficult time of my life, I feel that it was perfect.

"I had such an amazing time doing the work, but also bonding with the cast. I really felt like I was part of a family. I would tell everyone my business and it was just really nice to have different perspectives.

"People say that a lot – 'Oh, it's like a family!' – but it genuinely is. Everyone's got different personalities, you get to know people and you find out their little quirks. I feel really fortunate to have had this experience.

"I begged them and said: 'Please, allow Sharon to leave in a taxi and not a body bag!' Just because I wanted the door left open, so if and when I want to return, it can happen."

It felt like Hollyoaks had only just started scratching the surface with Sharon. Is there more that you would have liked to have explored with her?

"There is so much more I think we could have explored with Sharon. Obviously behind the scenes at Hollyoaks, a lot was going on during my time there, so there was a lot of change. I just love that she's still coming into work – I felt a bit like I was on Grey's Anatomy!

"I definitely think that there's more that we could have done with Sharon – and there's still more that we can do with her. That's fantastic because we still have the opportunity, should we choose to take it, to explore 'Sharon Land' and I think that'd be brilliant."

Since you've left, news has broken over redundancies at Hollyoaks and the show cutting back to three episodes a week. Do you feel for the cast and crew?

"When you're working on Hollyoaks, you form a bond with the cast and crew. You just become so close with them – you know their kids' names and everything like that.

"When I heard about the cutbacks and the changes, obviously the first thing that you do is you put yourself in someone else's shoes. It is such a scary time for everyone and I obviously feel for all of them.

"But because I know the level of talent that we have in front of the camera and behind the scenes, with anyone that I've spoken to, I've just said: 'Have confidence in yourself. You will get another job if this one doesn't work out'.

"It's sad, but one of the most important things we can learn to do in our lifetime is to be able to pivot. That's something I'm an expert at! Something might not go a certain way, so it's: 'Okay, what's the other opportunity? What's the other thing that I can do?'

"I hope that they all maintain a level of confidence and self-esteem in themselves – and know that if this is where their journey at Hollyoaks ends, it will also signify the beginning of something somewhere else. So I just want everyone to remain positive, really."

Since you've finished filming, you've moved to Dubai. Are you working out there or taking some time to rest and recharge?

"I am absolutely resting, recharging! I have done no work whatsoever and it's been much-needed. Over this two years that I've had, I haven't stopped. I've done way too much. Rest is so needed – it's allowed me to process the last two years, move forward and decide what I want to do.

"I know that I had such a great experience on Hollyoaks, so I'd love to do more acting. But I just need to give myself a break before I choose to do this. I don't think I've ever taken a break, to be honest, so it's been amazing. I've been here for five weeks and I'm loving it."

In light of the Hollyoaks news, are you worried about the future of soaps?

"My hope is that we find new ways to bring the same thing to the right people. Soap is so important – I'm from an era of watching Brookside, Crossroads, Doctors, EastEnders. I've watched all the soaps and one thing you get from watching them is that feeling of: 'Oh my God, I'm not on my own'.

"I know sometimes the stories are far-fetched, but sometimes they raise conversations and awareness. They allow you to think differently about your community and the people around you. So I think soap is extremely important. It would be devastating to see people decide to throw it all away.

"I think there is a future of soaps but it might not be on the telly. That's one of the things that Hollyoaks is doing great – they're pivoting to streaming, they're changing to suit their audience, they're making decisions that serve the people they want to reach and they need to reach.

"I think it's fantastic and it's just about believing in it and moving with the times. We can't be stuck in our ways, you don't progress like that."