Sarah Jayne Dunn is best known for playing Mandy Richardson in Hollyoaks, has also opened up about how she was ‘sexualised’ as a young actress and how she was ‘misconstrued’ when she left
Ex-Hollyoaks star Sarah Jayne Dunn says her saucy exit from the TV show was a decision ‘made for her’ after joining OnlyFans. The Mancunian actress, who’s now the face of Raine and Bea’s ‘Theatrical flair for everyday wear’ line, says the decision “was taken out of her hands” following her move to the racy site.
But Sarah Jayne says she feels sexier than ever and decided to speak out to change the narrative surrounding OnlyFans. During an exclusive interview with OK, Sarah addresses her early fame, her OnlyFans success, her body confidence, how her shock exit from the Channel 4 soap was misconstrued – and her new job.
She’s on a mission to defy ageist stereotypes and what she brands “social conditioning” and said: “I feel so much more comfortable and confident in my body today.
“I don’t feel like I’m trying to tick any box of what I want my body to be, I just want to be strong and healthy and have longevity. I want to get older to still be fit and strong. I want to be able to play with my son, to continue to go to the gym, that’s what’s important.”
But Sarah says she’s only become more confident in her own skin as she’s gotten older and when she first started on screen when she was 14. She appeared in lads’ mags when youngers and added: “My body was being scrutinised and it was being edited without my permission.
She continued: “You know, my boobs were being made bigger and my tummy was being made flawless. And all the natural things – and imperfections is the wrong word, because they’re not imperfections – were removed. So I grew up not knowing what my body should or did look like. I’d see a picture of it in a lads’ mag, then look at it in the mirror, and it was different.”
It’s why Sarah wants to change the narrative surrounding OnlyFans. Speaking of her content on the website, she said: “I’ve got a lovely following and I create content that I was creating anyway but I do it now on my terms and it really works for me. I won’t do it forever, but it’s given me a really comfortable life and I enjoy it, so I don’t see myself stopping it any time soon.
“One of the reasons I’ve become a ‘voice’, is because I put my foot down against being sexualised and monetised by others and not benefiting at all, saying “this isn’t okay any more”. I think that resonated with a lot of people. I used to be a bit of a people pleaser, and I think a lot of us feel like that, so it’s nice to see somebody set boundaries, take control and succeed. I’ve had lots of support, particularly from women.”
The actress is best known for having played Mandy Richardson on the long-running soap for more than two decades before her departure in 2021. She was given an ultimatum by Hollyoaks bosses when they insisted that she shut down her profile on OnlyFans, saying that her racy shots were not good for publicity.
She refused to shut down her page, with the star then revealing she thinks she knows which of her Hollyoaks co-stars made an official complaint about her account. Sarah’s character first appeared on Hollyoaks in 1996 and left the show when Mandy suddenly jetted off to LA.
Sarah has been open about her OnlyFans career and what led to her departure from the soap. And now, she opened up about being ‘sexualised’ while working as an actress but ‘not being allowed to do it on her own terms’.
She added: “I never really left, it was sort of misconstrued. When I joined OnlyFans, it was never my intention to leave the show [ Hollyoaks ]. That decision was taken out of my hands, and widely publicised. When you’re an actor, you don’t ever “leave”, you’re in-between jobs. I’ve auditioned for other stuff, and if the right job came along and it fitted into my life and schedule, then I’d do it.”
She has also taken on a job – as a pole instructor. She added: “I’ve found a hobby that’s also a sport that I really enjoy. It’s a sort of gymnastics exercise because of the flexibility and strength, and there’s an element of dance, too. I love it! I’ve also just started teaching classes which is amazing.”
Speaking about lingerie brand Raine and Bea’s new campaign, Sarah said: “It’s such an honour to be ambassador for the new Raine and Bea collection. I’ve been a fan of Jenna’s work for years now and always love wearing her pieces, I’m so excited that she’s bringing her work to the masses with her diffusion line and the collection is stunning. I felt a million dollars wearing one of her new designs on launch night. I can’t wait to wear more of the collection soon!”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
