Former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh has made a dramatic career move by severing ties with her long-time manager Donna Rooney, who also served as godmother to her two children, in what insiders describe as a bid to distance herself from her reality television roots.
A Friendship and Professional Partnership Ends
The 36-year-old influencer recently parted ways with Donna Rooney, a close friend of over a decade who held the honoured position of godmother to Millie's daughters Sienna, five, and Aurelia, four. The split has reportedly left Donna 'deeply upset' by what she perceived as a 'betrayal' after their years of friendship and professional collaboration.
Sources close to the situation reveal that Millie became increasingly determined to shed her association with Made In Chelsea, fearing it was limiting her career prospects and preventing her from securing more 'credible' opportunities. Despite not appearing on the E4 reality show for over a decade, the 'ex Made In Chelsea star' label has continued to follow her throughout various business ventures.
Cryptic Social Media Messages Surface
Just one day after news of the professional separation emerged, Millie took to her Instagram Stories with a pointed message that read: 'Sometimes you just have to let people be... be who they are, do what they do, act how they act, say what they say.'
The post continued with even more revealing text: 'Let them live their version of reality, let them sit with their lies and delusion while you sit with the truth in peace.' This followed another enigmatic quote she shared hours after announcing her new management deal: 'Plot twist: the ending you feared is the beginning you needed.'
The digital distancing became even more apparent when Millie unfollowed Donna on Instagram, with friends claiming 'there is no way back' after the fallout.
New Management and Career Ambitions
Millie has now signed with powerhouse agency YMU, which represents major British television personalities including Ant and Dec, Simon Cowell, Davina McCall, and Claudia Winkleman. The agency officially welcomed her as a client last week.
This strategic move follows a pattern at YMU, which has recently attracted several reality television stars seeking to rebrand themselves. Former TOWIE star Megan McKenna and Millie's ex Made In Chelsea co-star Spencer Matthews have also joined the agency this year after leaving their previous management.
Industry insiders note that YMU has developed a habit of luring established clients away from their long-term managers, though they caution that celebrities might find themselves working with more junior contacts at the larger firm.
A Deep Personal Connection Severed
The professional separation cuts particularly deep given the personal history between the two women. Donna's Instagram feed over the years showcases her dedication to Millie's career and genuine affection for her young family.
In a heartfelt birthday tribute to Millie last July, Donna posted a video of their memories together with the caption: 'So many adventures and too many hysterical laughter episodes for any reels to capture. The happiest of birthdays to you darling.'
Donna's connection to Millie's children appears especially strong. In a sweet post dedicated to youngest daughter Aurelia, she revealed the little one calls her 'auntie' and wrote that she 'adored the double warmth of her cuddles' and that her 'belly laughter fuelled her for the week ahead.'
As godmother, Donna joined Millie and friend Charlie Boud to celebrate Aurelia's christening in April 2022, sharing a photo of the trio in coordinating pink and white dresses with the caption: 'Just call us the G's. Godmothers who coordinate are always the best tag team!'
Rebranding Beyond Reality Television
Since leaving Made In Chelsea, where she first found fame in her early twenties and remained a fixture for 13 years, Millie has completely transformed her career and public image. She has carved out a significant presence in the wellness space and become a vocal advocate for sobriety, speaking openly about giving up alcohol.
Her book about sobriety, Bad Drunk, and frequent candid social media posts reflect her lifestyle overhaul and troubled past. Millie, who is married to former Made In Chelsea co-star Hugo Taylor with whom she shares two daughters, hopes the move to YMU will open doors to mainstream television opportunities and finally allow her to step out of the 'reality star' shadow that has followed her for years.
A source explained Millie's perspective: 'The show made her name, but she hasn't appeared on it for over a decade and to her, it feels like another life. So, in order to finally make a clean break from it, she made the difficult decision to part with Donna.'
The mystery deepens as Millie's mother, Georgina, continues to follow Donna on Instagram and engaged with her account as recently as July, while Millie's interactions have completely ceased. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both Millie Mackintosh and Donna Rooney for comment.
