Gemma Collins looked completely different during her first ever TV stint at just 18 years old.
The former TOWIE star, 40, got candid about her past with Piers Morgan as she reflected on her life so far in the latest episode of his Life Stories show.
Destined to be on-screen, Gem first appeared on TV at the age of 18 in the show Snobs - a show about people who believed they were a different class.
The GC showcased her bubbly personality on the show in 2000 soon after leaving school, and her TV debut saw her gain 3,000 followers on Twitter.
However to fund her diva lifestyle, Gemma was forced to get a job after her TV stint, meaning that fame was put on the back-burner.
Gemma worked in care homes and stores, before bagging her big break in 2011.
It was then when Gem rocketed to the heights of fame on The Only Way Is Essex - becoming a firm fan favourite soon after her first appearance.
But despite the good things she's seen come out of fame, Gemma has admitted she's experienced the dark side of fortune online.
"It was hard; I’m not gonna lie, it was hard," she told Piers.
"There were times when fans would get online and say we hate you. I think one said, get in your car and go and have a car crash. I wish you was dead. You know."
She added: "You have to get a very thick skin and I think that’s where the GC was created as well. There is no way, if you didn’t have a thick skin—and you will know this [Piers], that you will survive in this industry.
"It’s not for everyone I’ve been able to cope with it but there’s a lot of people I know that haven’t and it can ruin your life."
To catch up and watch this episode, visit the ITV Hub.
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