Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo: ‘Our new reality show leaves nothing out’

Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo: ‘Our new reality show leaves nothing out’

Since their initial meeting on the reality series Made in Chelsea , Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo’s relationship has been a subject of public fascination. Every aspect of their journey—both positive and challenging—has been scrutinized by fans, who have followed their story from the beginning. The couple’s on-screen dynamic, once characterized by a tumultuous ‘will-they-won’t-they’ narrative, transitioned into the NearlyWeds podcast following their engagement, eventually rebranding as NewlyWeds after their nuptials.

Now, their latest project—a three-part documentary titled Raising Chelsea—focuses on the next stage of their lives: parenthood. The series follows Jamie and Sophie as they navigate the trials of conception, the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy, and the adjustments of early family life. While many might hesitate to broadcast such personal moments, including the birth of their child, the pair see it as a natural progression. ‘People are used to following our journey, so documenting this and having an audience come with us felt really natural and fun,’ Habboo says.

Their commitment to authenticity influenced the documentary’s production, opting for a single-camera setup that mimicked a vlog style. ‘We only had one camera, so it was very vlog style and there are lots of times I didn’t know we were even filming,’ Habboo explains. She adds that she quickly ‘forgot the cameras were there,’ resulting in arguments and raw moments unfolding without interruption. Laing, who is also the founder of sweets brand Candy Kittens, emphasizes that this approach was intentional. ‘If there were three cameras and a set-up, it feels forced,’ he says. ‘We wanted to capture everything and I wanted to make sure it was really real so you see everything.’

Even during intense moments, the couple chose to keep all content on screen. ‘There is nothing off limits,’ Laing reflects. ‘I don’t like the idea of a filtered version of ourselves, it’s not true, authentic or real.’ He believes that showing the full spectrum of life—good and bad—creates a genuine representation. Habboo, however, admits to moments of doubt. ‘There are times where it’s a lot,’ she says. ‘You can even hear me in the show saying ‘I’m not doing this’ at certain points. ‘If I had my way, there would be things off limits, but I never get my way.’

When the podcast began in 2021, Sophie aimed to ‘put my best foot forward,’ editing out some of the relationship’s more candid details. ‘I didn’t want people to hear the nitty-gritties of our relationship,’ she recalls. But Jamie ensured every episode retained everything, which she found ‘horrifying’ at first. Habboo soon grew accustomed to the unfiltered approach, noting that listeners appreciated the honesty. ‘The reaction from listeners was that they loved it and felt connected, like they weren’t alone,’ she continues. ‘So going into this, I thought we had to keep that authenticity.’

Despite the exposure, the couple acknowledges the risks. Laing says, ‘You have to have thick skin if you’re going to do this,’ a lesson he has learned over time. Habboo, meanwhile, is still developing this resilience. ‘There are so many comments like that,’ she says, referencing harsh remarks about her appearance. ‘People asking what’s wrong with my eyebrows. They’re evil, they’re so mean.’ She jokes about the future, ‘I don’t know what they’re going to say when they see me pregnant.’ The documentary balances vulnerability with joy, as Laing describes himself as ‘more anxious’ while Habboo admits she is ‘worse on no sleep.’

‘Everyone has arguments, bad moments, good moments, feels up or down and capturing that is real life.’