Diary of a Diva - Emmy's Exit

As most of you are aware by now, a while ago I had taken it upon myself to drum up publicity and funding for one of my new plays, by creating an alter ego out of the central character I would star as – 50’s Pin Up Emmy Davis. One of these publicity stunts had been kept top secret… until now!

This summer I was asked to appear on the Trisha Goddard Show as Emmy and give a 50’s makeover to some of their  guests.
No I’m not a stylist, but a great blagger who never turns down a challenge. Plus I saw it as my big chance to promote my character and play to possible sponsors when doing publicity for the show.

But after months of waiting, last week I was informed that ‘Oooops sorry’ it had aired already.
I was furious, disappointed, and a whole host of unprintable words.

The production company were so apologetic they promised to show it again on Five around Christmas time – but after being sent a DVD of the show I put a stop to that immediately.

My embarrassment at pretending to be a stylist from the 1950’s for the Trisha contestants showed through painfully in a cringe worthy, ill prepared, half hearted performance I wish I could erase from my CV. (And please God, lets not talk about those double chin shots!)
I feel so awful that my appearance on the show may have cheapened the play I worked so hard on, that I’ve decided I have no other choice than to completely change the character in the play – including her name.

Appearing on the Trisha Show in character was a misjudged career move I fear will haunt me in years to come.
I was trying to be creative with a marketing ploy and it backfired.
So this is it, I’m sad to say, the death of Emmy Davis!

And the first thing to go was that hideous platinum hair I’d so grown to loathe.
The fabulous stylists at Notting Hill based hairdressers Unruly Studios agreed to get me back to my natural blonde, in a free hair makeover.
The results of which you can see for yourself here, in my new headshot by top photographer Denis Jones.
In his career Denis has shot Samuel L Jackson, Woody Allen and Claudia Schiffer and is now making an impressive transition into art based photography.

My own transition, from Emmy to Hayley, was complete this week when I reported for this magazine live from the London Film Festival.
I conducted a hard hitting interview with Colin Firth about his documentary on Death Row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal ( see the interview here. )

Then I got a call from my friend Linzi  Stoppard (whose  father in law is playwright Tom Stoppard) and she wants to meet with me next week about me possibly writing a film for her new production company.
I don’t know anything about it yet, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction of my vow to only do quality work from now on!