Picture

We are, after all, talking about the star of Netflixs Fool Me Once, the who dunnit? series adapted from Harlan Cobens book of the same name that gripped audiences around the world as soon as it dropped on the streaming service at the start of the year, securing the number one show spot in more than 60 countries. More on that later

So, I shouldnt have been surprised to see that exact mental image greeting me IRL as soon as I joined a Zoom call with the 36-year-old Mancunian actress. Well, all except for her outfit, with Michelle actually dressed in a fluffy camel coordinating zip-neck sweatshirt and joggers. I look like Im wearing pyjamas! Michelle quickly says, as soon as weve said hello. I'm not wearing pyjamas, its actually a cosy tracksuit. I went out before and I was in a rush and I got absolutely soaking wet through. I thought, "Right, I want a warm shower and to put my comfiest clothes on," she continues.

Shes sat on a plush white sofa in her bedroom, plumped cushions lined up behind her, and loungewear or not, she still looks incredibly glamorous. Given the reason this interview is happening is to talk about Michelle and her husband Marks fitness brand, Ayetee Seven, launching a collection in collaboration with Very, its perhaps no secret just how she looks this good. But Michelle insists shes not one of those actresses.

I'm not one of those people who sets their alarm at six to get up to get to the gym, Michelle tells WH. If Ive got work in the morning, I won't force myself, it's not something that I punish myself with, you know? I was so busy last week, I think I did a Pilates class once that whole week and I was fine about it.

Instead, her morning regime is centred around her cup of coffee that immediately follows drinking a glass of water (because, wellness), allowing herself half an hour at the start of each day to go through emails while she gets her caffeine hit before getting ready. Be it for the gym, with the morning her preferred time to work out, or whatever she has planned.

I don't enjoy cardio. Its horrendous. Ugh, no, cardio has never been for me I was always the girl that came last in sports day. I don't mind doing weights, I normally do half an hour of weights if I can and then half an hour of Pilates after that. Or walking, I love walking when the weather is nice. Ill put a podcast on and take my dogs for a walk.

Her beauty routine is equally laid back. I am obsessed with Weleda Skin Food. Im gonna get it for you, its right there, she exclaims, jumping up and running out of shot of the camera to grab the tube from her bedside table. I always put it next to my bed and if I'm having a few days where my skin feels really tight and dry, Ill put that on at night. You can get it in all supermarkets. It's so easy and its so good. I save it for my dry days and I feel like when I wake up in the morning, my face is replenished and moisturised.

Her only slightly boujie beauty fix is an LED Light Therapy face mask. Normally you have to go to a spa or a facialist but Ive got one and to be fair, I have actually seen a difference in my skin. My redness has gone down, the texture of my skin has changed and gotten better and my makeup goes on a lot better when I apply it. Prioritising caffeine, hating cardio and sharing beauty secrets? Forget Hollywood A-Lister, shes more girl next door! If the girl next door owned her own gym wear brand, that is.

Michelle and her husband Mark Wright launched their athleisure label, Aytee7, in April 2022 offering both men's and women's ranges of fitness-first clothing designed to promote an active lifestyle. After first getting together in 2012, they were married in May 2015 and have always shared a love of fitness. More than just a celebrity endorsement, the couple have been involved in a hands-on capacity since day one, though Michelle is the first to admit the new partnership with Very and the launch of the latest collection has taken the brand to the next level.

It has definitely been elevated from the original collection that we did, its definitely levelled up. I love all of it, obviously, but I think my favourite look would be the olive green outfit, the former WH cover star says, referencing a two-piece set consisting of leggings and a matching one-shoulder double-spaghetti strap top. It's something different when you go to the gym, it's not a vest or anything. It's quite cool, she adds.

But again, this isnt just a celebrity slapping their name on a product and peddling it to the masses. Michelle insists a lot of thought and consideration has gone into the design process, with the pieces working as well for a quick workout as they do for lunch with friends. I have to be comfortable, especially when I'm going to the gym, but you want to feel confident in what youre wearing as well. That's a massive key for me [the gym] is quite an exposing place sometimes if you go to a class or when you're doing squats and lunges.

As for what shes wearing outside the gym, There's so much pressure on people to follow trends and wear clothes they don't feel particularly comfortable in just to either fit in or feel cool. Just wear clothes that make you feel confident!

Confidence really is a big part of it for Michelle, and shes clearly dedicated time to fostering a healthy relationship with both her body and her mind through fitness. When I've done some sort of workout or a walk, something active, is when I feel most confident. Not body-wise or anything like that, more for my state of mind and my mental health, she explains. If I work out in the morning, it sort of sets me up for the rest of the day and I feel like I've got more of a spring in my step. I think you have to have a healthy relationship with [fitness] and not put pressure on yourself. If you put too much pressure on yourself to stick to a routine or a regime, I think that's when people fail.

This latest venture with Very further allows Michelle to invest in her love of fitness and follows a six-year working relationship with the online retailer thats seen her release a staggering 39 collections to date. I'm very proud, and I feel like it's a perfect time to collaborate with [Very] on mine and Marks brand Aytee 7 as well. It just fell into place at the perfect right time, she says.

This is the first time Michelle has worked with the brand on exclusively athleisurewear, with her previous collections consisting of ready-to-wear pieces reflecting her own personal style. Think classic silhouettes and simple designs that transcend seasons, with an overtly feminine feel. I always wear and buy things that I know I'd wear again, whether it's next year or the year after. I don't really follow trends, Michelle explains.

What does that look like in her own wardrobe if she were to limit her must-have pieces down to five items? A good pair of jeans that you can wear day to night and with trainers or heels. Once I get a good pair of jeans, I'll probably have them for years, I can't throw them away. A really nice tracksuit that you can throw on in the day. And of course a pair of gym leggings, she says, counting each item off on her fingers. You know when you have a favourite pair of leggings and you go Oh my God, where have my leggings gone? and theyre in the wash. Maybe better make it two pairs of those then. And you have to have a good coat or two. I'd say invest in a nice winter coat and a spring bomber jacket ready to go into those warmer months.

Funny she should mention coats Youre on about Maya! she says, referencing her Fool Me Once character Maya Stern. I didn't realise how many coats Maya had until I watched it back and then I saw people doing TikToks of all Mayas coats. I was like Oh my God, she actually did have an array of coats! Michelle laughs.

From the Burberry trench to the AllSaints shearling biker jacket and not forgetting that Dolce & Gabanna Herringbone wool design with leopard print lining a fan favourite Mayas wardrobe generated as much, if not more, conversation across social media as the plots many twists and turns. It was really surprising because Maya as a character is quite stripped back, she's quite traditional in what she wears so I wouldn't have said when I was trying the clothes on it'd be a thing that people spoke about.

When you're doing a show, you have no idea how the audience is going to react. I had a massive build-up of anxiety around Christmas time thinking, Oh my God, it's actually going to come out in the next few weeks. Id watched Stay Close and Stay and The Stranger [other Harlan Coben Netflix adaptations] and knew they had done really well and obviously when I read the book I thought it was an amazing book. I'm a huge fan of Harlan. So yeah, [the reaction to the series as a whole] was a lovely surprise. I've got younger cousins who watched it and my granddad who's 90 watched it and theyve all loved the show. Thats a credit to Harlan and Danny [Brocklehurst, the screenwriter].

Its also a coat that is the answer to my next question. Having secured her role on Coronation Street aged 21, Michelle has spent the past 15 years in the media spotlight. A regular on the red carpet in her early years of fame, shes bound to have some fashion regrets. Years ago when I was first in Corrie I had this big furry orange coat that for some reason, I wore all the time. I have no idea why, but I genuinely really loved it. I look back on those pictures and I think God, that was hideous, she laughs. But at the time, I loved it so I wouldnt say it was a fashion faux pas because I felt great in that coat at the time.

But back to 2024, and looking ahead to the rest of the year. Michelle will soon be heading to Australia to start filming series two of Ten Pound Poms, the BBC drama that tells the story of a group of Brits who emigrate to Australia in the 1950s, with season six of Brassic, a comedy set in the North of England, set to drop on Sky Max later this year. But can anything compare to Netflix success? Fool Me Once with Netflix was just a pinch-me moment. Its made my whole year, and it was only in January! It's probably going to be hard to top because one, it was my first ever job on Netflix, and two, it was number one in so many countries.

All in all shes booked and busy, juggling her hotter-than-ever acting career (rumours of a Hollywood breakthrough have been rife since Fool Me Once was released) with her multiple fashion collections. But what is she looking forward to most in 2024? Summer, she answers immediately. I'm such as summer girl, I'm obsessed with the sun and warmer days so I can't wait for summer.

That makes two of us and is further proof Michelle is still the same down-to-earth Northern girl we first fell in love with all those years ago.

Aytee7 is available to shop now at Very.co.uk.

See the original post here:
Michelle Keegan interview: fitness, fashion and feeling confident - Women's Health UK