Stephanie Davis has announced she is making a return to acting, after taking time away to focus on motherhood. The former Coronation Street and Hollyoaks star says she now feels ready to step back into the spotlight.
Finding peace and a fresh start
After a decade of public ups and downs, the actress says she has finally found peace. "Life is a really good. It feels very calm and peaceful, which is nice for me," she told Daily Star in collaboration with WhichBingo.
Stephanie stepped away from work after welcoming her son, admitting she found it difficult to leave him. "I took time off after I had my little boy, and then, to be honest, I just didn’t want to leave him."
Dreams of Liverpool dramas and a Corrie return
The Liverpool-born actress has her sights set on a dramatic comeback, with a dream of working on more hometown productions. "I would love to get my teeth into something local," she says. "I think there’s something beautiful about the Liverpool dramas."
She would love the chance to work on something in the style of This City Is Ours or a Jimmy McGovern drama, praising the authenticity of Liverpool storytelling. While excited about new challenges, she has not ruled out returning to the cobbles. "I absolutely love Coronation Street," she says. "The professionalism, the cast, the crew, everyone involved day to day... everyone is so lovely and amazing there, and I loved my experience."
However, Stephanie wants her next role to show fans a different side of her. "I’m a versatile actress in that way," she says. "So the next project I do, I want it to be a completely different type of character."
Reflecting on the past and personal growth
Looking back at her younger years, Stephanie admits she wishes she had made different choices, but says those experiences helped shape who she is today. "I think the whole last 10 years I regret," she laughs. "My friends have made mistakes, but just in front of their family, whereas unfortunately, mine were lived out in the public eye."
She says growing up in the spotlight meant mistakes that others could make privately became public conversations. "I wish I’d stuck more to my acting, but a lot of that was to do with self-worth," she explains. "I didn’t believe in myself much then, so I felt like I needed to take on all these extra things to try and prove myself."
Now, becoming a mum changed her entire outlook, after having Caben-Albi, nine, and Samuel, one. She has also found strength through her faith. "I got to a point in my life where I was trying to run the show too much, and I just had to let go. As soon as I let go and let God, everything started falling into place."
Self-acceptance and letting go
That journey of self-acceptance also changed how Stephanie feels about her appearance. After previously having implants which she later decided were not right for her, she chose to have them removed. "I didn’t think that I was enough, and I ended up getting these ridiculously big boobs put in," she says. "I’m only five foot two, so I nearly fell over."
She admits the decision was emotional and scary, having to go under on the operating table, especially as a mum. "I was scared, thinking 'I'm so vain, should I be doing this?' obviously I was okay, but I’m glad that they’re gone." Now, she says she has no desire to change herself. "I’m perfect just the way I am."
The actress believes many people from her generation were affected by unrealistic beauty standards and social media pressure, but she is determined to make sure her children grow up with confidence. She now focuses on teaching her son Caben to value himself from the inside. "I always try to get him to say five things to validate himself."
After years of searching for happiness through relationships and outside approval, Stephanie says she has finally learned that confidence has to come from within. "In my life I’ve gone from relationship to relationship, poor choices, not seeing my own self-worth," she admits. "I’ve had to go off on my own to date myself and find myself, and I’m the only one who can make that happen."
Looking ahead
Now, Stephanie is looking ahead to her next chapter, with acting and music both on the horizon. She has been writing songs inspired by her own experiences and hopes people can connect with them. "I feel like they’re not just generic songs, they're from my experiences. We’re all just human, aren’t we? We’ve all been through trials and tribulations in our lives."
After years of ups and downs, Stephanie says she is finally ready to step back into the spotlight — but this time on her own terms. "I’m longing to be back behind the camera, acting and creating some art that people can relate to and enjoy watching."
