One-half of the internet sensation LadBaby, Roxanne Hoyle, discusses her marriage to Mark, parenting, the dark side of fame, and an unusual celebrity encounter involving Elton John.
She’s the matriarch of Britain’s most famous online family, amassing over a million followers, and a whopping five Christmas number ones. She’s a comedy duo with her husband Mark, but Roxanne Hoyle – better known as LadBaby Mum – has faced her fair share of public scrutiny, from trolling to recent headlines about Mark’s alleged fidelity (Roxanne insists that a man in a viral TikTok clip who seems to grope a woman on a night out was not her husband).
Here, Roxanne opens up exclusively to OK! about parenting sons Phoenix, nine, and Kobe, seven, and her relationship with Mark – from those early days when they survived on ‘£20 a week’ to being some of the most successful social media stars in history.
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Congratulations to Roxanne for ten years of marriage!
I appreciate it! Although we’ve been married for ten years, we’ve been together longer! We are obsessed with division and conquer. People frequently ask how we manage it because we support one another, hold date nights, spend time with the kids, and co-work together. But let’s face it, we’re the best mates. We’ve overcome a lot and emerged stronger. Never did I anticipate getting married, let alone to a man I adore so dearly and who has two lovely sons. I’m very appreciative.
Before all this success, how did things go for you two?
We eventually met over cocktails in London, and we fell in love. It was cheesy but true. Mark and I both worked at home when we first became pregnant. We had a ton of money to live on, which was incredibly rewarding. We’ll never forget where we came from because of this. We do what we do right now, donate money, and help food banks in the process.
What exactly works for you and Mark?
We’re like two very large kids playing together. We never want to be happy or grow up. We simply ask, “Why not? ‘ after what we’ve been through. Grab it if you have the chance.
Behind closed doors, how do you keep your relationship safe?
We always talk, every day. We’re close with our boys, too, they can come to us with anything. I think we’ve stayed the same people we were when we met 15 years ago. The world ’s changed around us, but we haven’t.
What aspect of parenting do you find the most difficult? You’re very open about it.
I would just be so exhausted from the period when the boys were teething or not sleeping. You can feel as though you’ve lost yourself. But I’d constantly remember that this is just a bad day.
Would you be expecting more children?
My two are truly wonderful. Have a girl, people always say. but I’m happy and have sisters. I’m blessed.
You’ve stated that you’re never giving up. Was writing Your LadBaby Journey emotional when you first started writing?
Oh, yes. Because Mark and I both have dyslexia, we decided to write it together. The deepest, darkest moments, those that happened in that room, those that had a kettle and bed, and then the joy of planning for our wedding, having the children, playing Christmas songs, helping the food banks, and so on. It was wonderful, in retrospect, because we endured that. Wow. Before 40, everything! It is utterly insane.
What were the darkest experiences you’ve had?
Being trolled online – even when we were doing something nice, like a charity song with Ed Sheeran and Elton John. There was no reason for it, but people can be cruel. Then just the exhaustion of parenting, those early days. There were times I felt like, ‘I can’t do this’. But then you meet a nurse or someone who says, ‘Thank you, your videos helped’, and that just lifts you.
How do you respond to negative online comments about your relationship and appearance?
I ignore them. If anything, they light a fire in me to do more. I don’t have time to waste on negativity. I can’t listen. I’m just focused on the children and positivity and creating greatness that can go on to do even better things. That’s what I do, that’s who I am.
Has anything changed since you started looking amazing?
Everything changed when I turned 40 last year! I now have more time for myself because the kids are already in school. I desired to feel more energetic and stronger. Despite some changes, I’m still me. I’m accepting my age, but I also needed more energy to keep up with my boys. I want to watch them get older, be there for them, and outsmart them!
What do people think about you differently?
that I’ve altered. But I’m still the same person. I don’t have a different appearance merely because I look different. Rox is still my name.
You’ve had five Christmas number ones – more than The Beatles! What’s been a surreal celeb moment?
Elton John singing back the lyrics I wrote on my sofa while drinking tea – that was cool! I even bought him silly Christmas glasses from Poundland for the video, and he wore them!
Any music legends you’d like to work with next?
Mariah Carey would be hilarious. And Adele, singing about sausage rolls! Can you imagine?
Would you host a reality television program?
I love a challenge. People are always asking when I’ll go on Strictly because I’m always dancing – I’d love to beat Mark at dancing. I’d give it a go, as long as it’s something where I could come out with a new skill.
You recently went to Downing Street to promote the Formula for Change campaign, which aims to provide affordable baby formula for families. What made you care about that?
Being a mother is a difficult job, but people should be able to afford to care for a baby. We’ve always made an effort to improve our platform, but the petition that over 100, 000 people signed did not help. Our supporters made a significant difference. Just a thought that it will continue to alter the world.
