The Circle: Interview with Georgina
Category: Press Pack ArticleNAME: Georgina
AGE: 21 (22 on 30th September)
OCCUPATION: Works in the tailoring industry
FROM: Nottingham
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single
PLAYING AS: Herself
IN A NUTSHELL: Georgina is funny and down to earth and wants to play the game as her authentic self. On social media, she’s very open about living with Crohn’s disease. When she had an ileostomy bag, she was proud to post photos of herself in swimwear to show that life goes on. She regularly receives messages from other people with Crohn’s for advice or to say that they are inspired by her to also live their best lives.
MOTIVATION FOR ENTERING THE CIRCLE: To try new experiences, give anything a go and make some new friends.
STRATEGY: She plans to play as a “full on sleuth” with mind maps and note taking to suss out the catfish. Georgina will use her everyday photos along with some hot ones too. She also plans to show off photos from when she had her ileostomy bag to open up conversations.
Why did you sign up for The Circle?
I wanted to go on series one but I had just had surgery. This year I am up for it – life’s too short and I want to try every experience.
What surgery did you have?
I had colorectal surgery - I had an ileostomy bag fitted but I had it reversed in June last year so I don't have it any more. I'm a lot better but it's Crohn's disease so I've got it for life I'm afraid.
What is your strategy to win the show?
Just to be my authentic self through and through. If I'm true to myself then I'll be fine.
Can you describe your profile in The Circle?
I'll be Georgina, I'll be me, there will be pictures of me having fun with my friends, I might have a bit of a flirt with people if I need to. I'll get a few close friends first off and I'll kind of stick with them throughout.
Why did you decide to play yourself and not another character?
I worry that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the experience as much if I was constantly trying to channel somebody else. And if it was to go wrong and I got voted out, I'd be disappointed because I'd feel like I hadn't been true to myself. If I'm true to myself then I can enjoy it for what it is.
How easy do you think it will be to win people over with just words and pictures?
I'm pretty charming so I don't think it would take too much effort.
How do you decide which pictures you're going to use on the show?
I wanted to have posed pictures, smiley pictures, me with friends and family, pictures of me on holiday and travelling and a Crohn's related one - because for me it's a priority to use this platform to spread awareness.
When you say that you want to raise awareness of Crohn's disease what is the message you want to put out there?
If you have an invisible disability or if you have a bag like I did, you still have to grab life by the balls and take on every opportunity you can and I also want to promote the idea that you shouldn't judge people and that you should give everyone a fair chance, not just class them as disabled so they can't do this, that and the other. We can live our life, we can enjoy life and Crohn's is just not going to win or stop you having new experiences or making new friendships.
Is there a stigma about ileostomy bags?
Yes, there is a stigma about ileostomy bags and colostomy bags. A lot of people don't feel they are attractive anymore if they have had a bag fitted. But actually, your life gets better. I've had life with a bag and without a bag and I do spread awareness with my YouTube videos helping people and I get about 60-80 messages a week of young girls worrying they can't wear bikinis any more so that is what is pushing me to do this. I want to show people that you can do what the hell you want, regardless.
What social media platforms do you use at home?
I use Instagram more than anything and then YouTube. Next it would probably be Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook.
Who's your favourite star on social media?
I love Megan McKenna. There is a vlogger called Molly McFarlane and for spreading awareness for IBD there is Bryony Hopkins and The Tummy Diaries and these are all really empowering girls' girls.
Have you ever had a bad experience on social media?
Sometimes you get hate on your videos or Crohn's videos or people don't like your pictures but I think it’s refreshing for people to disagree with me, not everyone has the same opinions and that’s good.
Have you ever been catfished?
No I haven't been catfished but people have used my photos to catfish. I've had people send me Tinder accounts of me and I've had to say, 'That's not me.'
Do you think you'll be able to spot any catfish on the show?
Hopefully, I rate myself as a bit of a detective, a bit of a Nancy Drew so hopefully.
Is there anything that really bugs you about social media?
People's fakeness. People pretending to be nice to someone they really don't like in real life, or people putting out a completely unfair image that people should look this way, or not this way, or that their house is immaculate and tidy all the time when the reality is that it’s not, it just got tidied three hours before they took this picture.
How far will you go to win?
I won't be nasty for the sake of it, that's not a very fair strategy and I don't think it gets you anywhere in life. I'll have a strategy to a point where I need to but the minute it starts manipulating people's feelings and emotions, I'll draw the line. I get that's the point of the game but The Circle is just a game and emotions are real.
What would you do the prize money?
Firstly I'd get myself a really nice handbag. I’d also donate to Crohns and Colitis UK and Then I'd invest the rest, probably into property.