IN CONVERSATION WITH SOPHIE HABBOO

interview by JANA LETONJA

Sophie Habboo is a prominent British media personality, best known for co-hosting the hit podcasts ‘NewlyWeds’ with husband Jamie Laing, and ‘Wednesdays’ with best friend, Melissa Tattam. With a dedicated audience and a loyal podcast fanbase, Sophie is a bonafide voice in relationships, comedy, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Known for her signature British elegance and style, Sophie’s influence extends to successful collaborations with leading brands across luxury and lifestyle. This Monday, Sophie attended the prestigious British Fashion Awards wearing a Kristina Fidelskaya dress, accessorized by Matilde Jewellery, Maison Ernest shoes and styled by Rachael Perry. Sophie's hair was styled by Willis Gailbraith and makeup done by Nicolette Bella using Sophie’s favourite products from NARS Cosmetics, Armani Beauty, and Charlotte Tilbury. 

dress KRISTINA FIDELSKAYA
shoes MAISON ERNEST
accessories MATILDE JEWELLERY

Your podcasts ‘NewlyWeds’ and ‘Wednesdays’ have collectively reached over 35 million downloads. What do you think resonates most with your audience about both shows? 

With ‘Wednesdays’, Melissa and I started around my kitchen table with a bottle of wine recording ourselves. We didn't have a big production and we didn’t think we would have any listeners at the start. It was a real slow burn and we recorded episodes simply because we really enjoyed it. The format was, and still is, very organic to how we talk to each other over the phone. We always would catch up over a glass of wine to gossip and have a laugh. It wasn’t until my now husband Jamie suggested we start recording ourselves that we really considered it. I definitely think the authenticity behind the show is a big reason for its success. We are very mindful to always keep it as authentic and real as possible so our listeners feel like they are having a chat and a glass of wine right there with us. It’s been really rewarding to enhance the experience for our listeners with a full production and visuals. 

The ‘NewlyWeds’ journey was very similar. Jamie and I didn’t think anyone would listen to it at first. It started as a public audio diary for us to document the time leading up to our wedding and grew very organically from there. I never even listened back to any episodes until maybe a year in and I realised that half the things I wanted cut never were removed. It just proved that our audience really likes and appreciates us being raw and unfiltered so that’s what we hope to give with both podcasts. 

How has your dynamic with Jamie evolved since you’ve begun working together on ‘NewlyWeds’? 

It’s been really cool to build our working relationship through doing the podcast together. It’s made us see each other in a different light. I’ve always had so much respect for him, he’s so impressive in so many ways. We both have very complimentary strengths when it comes to doing the podcast, so aside from our actual personal relationship, we’ve gained even more admiration for each other and how well we fit together. We’re wholly a team both in our personal and professional lives and I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

‘Wednesdays’ tackles a wide range of listener dilemmas. What’s been your favorite moment or most unexpected takeaway from these conversations? 

This is a hard one because we’ve had so many great conversations on the show, but my favourite moment was when we spoke about women's hormones with specialist Pippa Campbell. The reception we had from our audience was really amazing. Because of the format of the show, we mainly discuss lighthearted topics and dilemmas, but we rarely tap into those more serious topics. Because our audience is majority women, to be able to bring in a professional who can speak to something so relatable and important as hormone health was really cool. In the spirit of authenticity, Melissa and I try to bring on guests who we genuinely are interested in and hormone health is something we both had wanted to be educated on. Both us and our audience learned so much from having a specialist on. It was nice to have that reaction. 

You have a natural talent for blending humor with authenticity in your storytelling. How do you strike that balance while addressing both lighthearted and serious topics? 

Again, I think it all goes back to authenticity. The more you stay true to yourself and follow your gut, the more you will find that balance. When it comes to public-facing activity like presenting or podcasting, I try to act as I would if there was no audience watching. It allows me to get outside of my head and be authentic without fear of judgement. I’m incredibly grateful to have such a supportive community both online and in person, so that’s definitely a big part of it too. Surround yourself with people who celebrate your natural self and you’ll be golden. 

You’ve just walked the British Fashion Awards carpet in a look by Kristina Fidelskaya. How do you approach curating your personal style for high-profile events? 

I worked with my incredible stylist, Rachael Perry, to create this very clean, elegant look by Kristina Fidelskaya. Rachael does an incredible job at putting together looks that mimic my natural style and bring my ideas to life at a very elevated level. Rachael and I wanted to do something bigger than we’ve ever done because it’s such an iconic red carpet event in the fashion industry. The Fashion Awards were the perfect opportunity to create a look that was big fashion while also staying really elevated and safe with my style. 

I also love a corset. As much as you want to make something a big moment and make a splash for big events like this, it’s also so important to feel your best and I really feel my best when things are flattering, like most people do. I personally feel really great in a corset so that was a big drive behind Rachael and I creating this look. 

Collaborating with iconic brands like NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, Armani Beauty showcases your status as a modern tastemaker. How do these partnerships reflect your approach to beauty? 

I love working with brands like NARS, Charlotte Tilbury, and Armani Beauty because they all lend themselves to the type of makeup I’m naturally drawn to - fresh face, natural, youthful, dewy skin, etc. All of their products are so premium, not heavy, and the products build upon each other very nicely. I’ve also worn them forever and am a tried and true consumer of their products so it feels great to be able to work with them for such a big occasion. 

You’re known for redefining British elegance. How do you balance staying true to your style while embracing ever-changing fashion trends? 

Whether I’m curating a look myself or working with Rachael, I don’t really focus on trends. It’s always been about elevating and enhancing my style and what’s unique to me as I evolve and grow. For red carpets and events, we truly believe that you’ll always look your best if you feel great in what you’re wearing, so that’s always been the priority for carpet looks. 

We want looks that are going to be very trend-transcending and timeless, even when we’re looking back at them 10 years from now. We will of course add in different elements unique to each occasion and event we are styling for, but ultimately I’m always going to go for something that feels true to myself rather than something that’s ‘on trend’. 

From podcasts to fashion collaborations and now investing in Trip Drinks, you’re building an impressive portfolio. What inspired you to take on an entrepreneurial role? 

It all started very organically. Trip Drinks approached me to get involved and I saw it as an amazing opportunity because, going back to authenticity, I love Trip. I've always loved their drinks and I think I was even one of the first creators they ever sent their product to in 2020. 

It’s been a really exciting opportunity to get involved with an inspiring and fast-growing brand. I definitely want to grow more in the entrepreneurial space and continue to align myself with projects that align with my lifestyle. 

Between hosting events, podcasting, and entrepreneurship, how do you prioritize self-care and personal time? 

With my busy schedule, I definitely don’t do as much self-care as I used to, but it’s still super important for me to fit into my schedule. I think everyone needs to prioritise whatever makes them feel their best. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that I don’t need the traditional self-care things like facials and massages to center myself. For me, I really prioritise physical and mental wellbeing as the core of my self-care. I go to training three times a week and do a sauna session afterwards. Those 15 minutes by myself in the sauna are so important for me to gain mental clarity before I start my work day. If I don’t take care of myself then I can’t show up properly for others or my business so it's an essential part of my routine. 

What’s next for you? Are there any exciting projects or ventures you can share with us? 

At the moment, we are really focused on continuing to grow the podcasts and deliver top-tier content to our audiences. Jamie and I have an exciting home renovation in the works that will be completed next Spring. There’s a few other projects brewing that I can’t share just yet. You’ll have to stay tuned.

TEAM CREDITS:
photography BENJAMIN WHEELER
red carpet photography BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
styling RACHAEL PERRY
makeup NICOLETTE BELLA using NARS COSMETICS, ARMANI BEAUTY, and CHARLOTTE TILBURY