Luisa Zissman, the former Apprentice star and BBC personality, has ignited a parenting debate after admitting she considered skipping her daughter's school play because the child received a minor, non-speaking role. The 38-year-old mother of three made the comments on her podcast, LuAnna The Podcast, co-hosted with Anna Williamson.
Zissman's Controversial Comments
On the podcast, Zissman ranted about her daughter Esme's performance in a school production of Mary Poppins. She said: "My daughter is performing in Mary Poppins, I'm not f***ing going because she's got a s***ty ensemble. There's no air con in there, she's got a non-speaking part and I'm not going because I have to work today. It was very much a stress, trying to do everything I had to do today."
She added: "I'm not interested in going to see her unless she's got a main part." In the same conversation, Zissman also admitted she skipped her other daughter Clemmie's woodwind recital because she dislikes the sound of the instrument.
Public Reaction
The segment was shared on Instagram, drawing mixed reactions. Some working parents expressed support. One comment read: "This is so me. Mumma's got s*** to do." Another said: "The snowflakes will be clawing their ears off at this post. The realistic full-time working parents will be sharing it with the other working mums."
However, many criticized Zissman for missing a chance to create memories. One person wrote: "Oh this is so sad. It doesn't matter if it's good or bad, it's about your daughter seeing her mummy in the audience."
Clarification
Following the backlash, Zissman clarified on Instagram: "I did go, I stayed for 10 minutes, then had to go to Costa do a 'work call', and went back at the end."
Zissman is married to Andrew Collins and shares daughters Esme, 10, and Clemmie, 9. She also has a daughter, Dixie, 16, from her first marriage to Oliver Zissman.
