Latest news with #BettiePage
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders icon whose departure from the Square was called 'the end of an era' is unrecognisable with sixties inspired new look... can you guess who it is?
She left Albert Square last year after 16 years on EastEnders. Her surprise departure, and emotional exit storyline, had fans sobbing as they dubbed it the 'end of an era'. Since quitting her soap role, this actress has sought out new acting ventures and recently made her West End debut. And in a new Instagram snap, the star is unrecognisable, ditching her signature soap look for glam sixties inspired makeup and a short bob haircut. But can you guess who this iconic soap star is? It's EastEnders favourite Shona McGarty! The actress showed off her retro look in new social media snaps over the weekend, posing in sparkling blue eye makeup teamed with a figure hugging baby blue dress. Shona has been trying out new looks as she turns her hand to singing, belting out classics at club nights alongside recording some new music in the studio. The busy star also recently wrapped up her West End debut in the musical Queen of the Pin-Ups, playing Bettie Page. Shona, 33, who portrayed legend Whitney Dean on EastEnders for over 16 years, bid an emotional farewell tp her character back in May to 'explore other opportunities,' explaining that she wanted to try out new ventures before she felt 'too old'. Explaining that turning 30 had changed her perspective on things, Shona admitted: 'It was a really difficult decision because it's all I've ever known. I pretty much grew up on the Square, so I feel like I'm leaving home. 'But I had to put on my big girl pants and be quite brave, because life is so short, and you feel that more and more as you get older.' Her character's departure was named the 'end of an era' by fans who were left 'crying' as they struggled to watch. But, luckily for Shona soap bosses have left the door open, with Whitey moving to Wakefield to be closer to her brother, Ryan Malloy. 'I left on the bus and not under it, so for that I'm really grateful,' the soapstar told The Sun. 'I would absolutely go back to EastEnders - it's 16 years of creating a family, I grew up on that show.' Shona added that she has maintained a good relationship with EastEnders, but there is no scope for her to return right away. Whitney made her debut in 2008, aged 16, and has been at the centre of multiple explosive storylines over the last 16 years. But her most recent, potentially her last, was the most heartbreaking so far. Her final episodes in May, saw Whitney's partner and father to her newborn Dolly, Zack Hudson, break her heart after he cheated with childhood pal Lauren Branning. Unable to cope with the betrayal, she decided it was her time to say goodbye to her home in Walford and move to Wakefield to be closer to her brother, Ryan Malloy. The new mother's big plans were initially overwhelming, but she felt reassured when her adoptive mother, Bianca, offered to join her. This plan soon crashed and burned as Whitney felt betrayed once more when she learned Bianca knew all along about Zack and Lauren's secret and didn't tell her. Whitney refused to let Bianca join her and decided to leave alone with Dolly and her foster child, Britney Wainwright. Before jumping on the bus to escape the heartache and suffering, Whitney attempted closure by meeting with Zack and Lauren separately. After an emotional final goodbye at her leaving do in the Vic, residents walked Whitney to her bus stop and soap extras gave her a hug and kiss on the way. Whitney held her head high and quietly sobbed as she made her way through the square for the final time - a scene so emotional that fans at home were reduced to tears and begged for her return in the future.
Evening Standard
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Violet Chachki: 'Dressing in drag was escapism, therapy... and channelling all of my anger and frustration'
The Chachki character was mood-boarded early. 'Bettie Page was on there, eternally. Dita Von Teese. I used to love Ladytron, this British band. Miss Kittin & the Hacker. Lady Miss Kier was huge for me.' She later became friends with the Deee-Lite frontwoman, a queer style icon, after moving for a brief spell to New York. 'It didn't work out for me. I just couldn't cut it. I'd just won Drag Race, just had my heartbroken in Atlanta, so I was kind of running away from that.' The nightlife was in many ways too alluring in NYC. 'You can get lost,' she laughs. 'Every time I go to New York I do end up walking around Times Square at 8am like a crackhead.' She is now happily settled in LA.
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders' Shona McGarty bags first new show since explosive soap exit - and it's worlds away from Walford
EastEnders star Shona McGarty has bagged first new show since her explosive soap exit last year - and it's worlds away from Walford. The actress, 33, left the BBC show in April last year after 16 years of playing her iconic alter-ego Whitney Dean. Since leaving EastEnders, the star has been able to pursue other things and has been busy in the recording studio and even presented a gong at the Beauty Awards in November. But fans will be happy to know that they'll be able to watch Shona perform as Bettie Page in Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical in June. The show will be on June 9 at Lyric Theatre in central London, running for 90 minutes with no interval, and tickets cost from £15. The synopsis reads: 'She Was Never The Girl Next Door. 'This revealing new bio-musical tells the story of the original revolutionary pin-up model, and pop culture icon, Bettie Page. 'All Bettie wants is to escape her circumstances and live a normal life, yet when she discovers glamour photography in the 1950s, all she wants is the right to be able to do it. 'Bettie's iconic status is born out of her fierce feminism and fight for personal liberties. 'Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical chronicles her quest for freedom of expression through seminal moments in history, original songs, and the greatest hits of the 50s and 60s.' Shona and the show's Instagram account announced the news by saying: 'Delighted to announce EastEnders star Shona McGarty as our very own Bettie Page. ' Many rushed to the comments section to share their excitement. One wrote: 'Oh this looks Fantastic would love to watch this. Looks good.' 'Amazing darling well done! Xxx.' Over the years Shona had been involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines including being groomed by her mum Bianca's boyfriend, her marriage to Lee Carter and her unborn baby being diagnosed with Edward's Syndrome 'Aww huge congrats Shona that's fab.' 'Omg an icon playing an icon! Congratulations.' This is totally different to her playing Whitney in EastEnders, a role she took on from the age of 16. But Shona is no stranger to the music industry, having performed live a number of times and regularly sharing videos of her showing off her incredible singing voice on social media. The star has also released a number of singles including A Change is Gonna Come, Rock with Rudolph and Let It Be. Over the years Shona had been involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines including being groomed by her mum Bianca's boyfriend, her marriage to Lee Carter and her unborn baby being diagnosed with Edward's Syndrome. Back in July 2023 it was revealed that Shona had quit her EastEnders role. A spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline: 'Shona is leaving, and bosses have decided to write the character of Karen out. We're not adding anything further at this stage.' Then in August she broke her silence telling Inside Soap Magazine: 'It wasn't an easy decision because I've made so many friends. 'I've seen people come and go, and meanwhile, Whitney has been one of the longest-standing characters. 'I've had so much fun and done so many storylines, some of which have been sensitive, and I've been honoured to be trusted with such heavy stuff, year after year.' In April last year she filmed her final scenes as her iconic alter-ego and later revealed the real reason why she quit. She told The Sun: 'It was a really difficult decision, because it's all I've ever known. I pretty much grew up on the Square, so I feel like I'm leaving home. But I had to put on my big girl pants and be quite brave, because life is so short, and you feel that more and more as you get older. 'There are other opportunities and areas of the industry I want to explore before I get too old! All things come to an end and this is the new chapter of my life. 'So although it was a big decision, once I'd made it, I was quite resolute that this was something I had to do. 'I mean, 16 years is amazing. I've had a really good run and Whitney needs a break.'
