From Jungle to Italian Delicacies: Kelly Brook's Business Reinvention
Model and television personality Kelly Brook has reportedly received £80,000 for her appearance on I'm A Celebrity, but this substantial fee represents just the beginning of what promises to be a strategic career resurgence. The 45-year-old star, who once graced the pages of FHM as the 'sexiest woman in the world', intends to showcase her business acumen alongside her famous curves during her jungle stint.
Brook has carefully orchestrated her return to the spotlight, using the reality show as a springboard for launching Parisi Arpino, an Italian food range developed with her husband, Jeremy Parisi. Official documents reveal she has filed paperwork with the UK's Intellectual Property Office to trademark the brand name, with plans to sell pizzas, pasta, sauces, olive oils, meats and cheeses.
Following in Sophia Loren's Footsteps
The move positions Brook as following the path of Italian screen legend Sophia Loren, who successfully transitioned from international sex symbol to respected business entrepreneur. Loren, now 91, built her career on body confidence while remaining relatable to everyday women, famously declaring: 'I'd rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size zero.'
The similarities between the two women's career trajectories are striking. Like Loren, who launched her own Italian restaurant and lifestyle brands, Brook appears determined to prove she possesses both beauty and business intelligence. This represents a significant departure from her earlier image as a Page 3 icon and lads' mag favourite.
Strategic Jungle Planning
Despite her business ambitions, Brook hasn't neglected the visual aspects of her jungle appearance. She has packed multiple bikinis that have undergone screen testing to ensure they flatter her figure, taking inspiration from Myleene Klass's iconic 2006 shower scene that helped secure the classical musician's position as runner-up.
'I've got loads of different brands,' Brook told the Mail on Sunday. 'They've all gone off to wardrobe to get tested on camera, so they'll decide for me.' However, she emphasised that viewers should expect more than just swimwear moments, stating: 'I'm not a 20-year-old bikini model anymore. I am a very different person.'
The Kent-born star, who turns 46 during her jungle stay, appears confident about her current place in the industry. 'I feel really strong. I feel like my body's in good shape,' she revealed. 'I just feel great. I'm 46 and I embrace my curves. I embrace my body.'
From Glamour Model to Business Mogul
Brook's career transformation has been years in the making. After bursting onto the glamour scene in 1997, she became a household name through Page 3 appearances and regular features in 'Sexiest Women' lists. Her relationships with high-profile figures including Jason Statham and rugby stars Danny Cipriani and Thom Evans kept her in the headlines throughout her twenties and early thirties.
By her late thirties, Brook had initiated what she describes as a 'complete overhaul' of her life and career. 'I didn't want that old life back,' she explained. 'I was trying to find my place in the industry. I don't want to be a lingerie model, I don't want to be this girl that owns a nightclub and bar in the West End and that's out every night and dating bad boys.'
This reinvention included radio work with Heart FM and brand ambassador roles, notably with SlimFast. She also transitioned into acting with appearances in films like Sorted and Piranha 3D, alongside television roles on Celebrity Juice and Loose Women.
Personal Life and Business Partnership
Brook's business venture represents a personal as well as professional partnership. She met French model Jeremy Parisi in 2014 after contacting him directly on Instagram, bonding over their shared interest in martial arts and fitness training. The couple married in Italy in 2022.
During the early days of their relationship, Parisi spoke limited English, with Brook often acting as his translator. Though now fluent, the radio host admits she still occasionally speaks on his behalf. Their decision to launch an Italian food business together capitalises on Parisi's heritage and their mutual love of Italian cuisine.
The couple have made a conscious decision not to have children, though Brook has acknowledged the emotional complexity of this choice. 'If our marriage doesn't end up successful in the long term, how would I feel seeing him go on and have children with other people?' she reflected last year.
With her jungle appearance providing maximum exposure and her business plans already in motion, Kelly Brook appears poised to complete one of the most intriguing career transformations in recent entertainment history, proving that there's substantial business savvy behind the famous smile.
