Jess Wright: Being a Covid bride has not been fun
The former Towie star chats about looking after her skin during lockdown, missing the red carpet and her hopes for a post-pandemic wedding.

Like many of us, Jess Wright has suffered her fair share of disappointments during the pandemic.
The former Towie cast member got engaged to fiance William Lee-Kemp last February and doesnāt yet know when her big day will be, plus sheās had to postpone several work projects.
āMy theatre tour Girls Just Want to Have Fun, that was supposed to take place last May, and is now taking place this autumn,ā she tells me on the phone. āAt least we can still go ahead ā I canāt wait to get back on stage.ā
In the meantime, the 35-year-old has been on the hunt for other talented performers as part of a competition with PlayOJO, to find the UKās best amateur singer.
āWe did a livestream and I basically was like a Simon Cowell for the night,ā Wright says. āWe found a beautiful singer. She was amazing. Sheās also a frontline worker, so that was really nice.ā
Sister to fellow Towie star-turned-TV presenter and now footballer Mark Wright Jess has seen first-hand the devastating effects of coronavirus after both their parents and grandparents contracted the illness over Christmas. All four have now made a full recovery.
āIām just grateful that weāre all healthy,ā Wright said. Sadly, shortly after our chat Wright posted a moving tribute on Instagram to her uncle Eddie, who died after battling Covid for eight weeks.
Here, she tells us about lockdown life, why the pandemic has made her more confident about going without make-up, and the beauty products sheās loving at the moment.
How are you coping during the latest lockdown?
āAt the beginning, I was really struggling, I think this has been the hardest one for everyone, but thereās definitely a light at the end of the tunnel now. The sunās coming out and weāve got some dates in line for restrictions being eased.ā
You got engaged a year ago, do you feel like spending more time together during lockdown has brought you and your fiance closer together?
āItās definitely done that. I mean, what a crazy year. I was looking through images of 2019 the other day and then I got to photos from 2020 and there was such a difference in our relationship, in terms of the things we could actually do together. However, we survived it and weāre even stronger now, so if anything, it was just a good test.ā
Have you set a date for the wedding?
āTo be perfectly honest with you, at this point itās all up in the air, but weāre hoping for it to happen this year. When it does happen, itās going to be the most amazing day, [when we can] finally hug and be together again. I feel bad for all the brides going through this at the minute ā being a Covid bride has not been fun.ā
Have you been missing getting glammed up for red carpet events?
āOh God so much! I canāt wait for the next big event with a red carpet. I put up a video on my Instagram a while ago, it was a day in the life getting ready for the NTAs [National Television Awards]. I was watching it over and over, wishing that time to come again soon.ā
Have you been wearing less make-up during lockdown?
āFor weeks and weeks, I donāt wear make-up, and then when I have my make-up done, Iām like, āWow, it looks so good!ā I think itās definitely made me feel like Iāll wear less in the future. I just go anywhere now without any make-up on and donāt even think twice.
āObviously, Iāve got my mask on, but whereas before Iād have been really conscious, now I really have no qualms going anywhere. But obviously not a red carpet!ā
How has your skin been during lockdown?
āMy skin has been good, I do put a lot of time and effort into my skin, but I do suffer with psoriasis, and Iāve noticed itās got considerably worse. I think thatās just a delayed response to all the stress with Covid, the pandemic and the wedding and all that.ā
Have you picked up any good beauty tips from make-up artists?
āOne of the biggest things I would say is skin prep, making sure that you prep your skin in the few days leading up to [an event], especially as you get older.
āIād [recommend] a good exfoliation one or two days before, then really hydrate the skin with some good products, because ultimately, that will give you the kind of glow you need.ā
Product picks: Jess Wrightās beauty favourites
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, £82 for 50ml
āSomething that I love putting on in the evening is Advanced Night Repair from Estee Lauder, and then Iāll always follow that up with a really nice night cream.ā
Dr PawPaw Tinted Peach Pink Balm, £6.95
āA good lip balm is essential. Iām always putting lip balm on and Dr PawPaw do some lovely ones.ā
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30, £35, Boots
āI love a good tinted moisturiser like Laura Mercierās gorgeous one. Thatās my go-to if I ever put on a bit of make-up in the daytime.ā
Bondi Boost Hair Growth Shampoo, £22.50, Boots
āBondi Boost do a really good shampoo and conditioner for hair growth, which Iām loving at the minute. They leave a peppermint cool feeling on your scalp, which is really nice.ā