Former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh has made the dramatic decision to part ways with her long-term manager and close friend Donna Rooney, who also serves as godmother to her two children, in what insiders describe as a bold career move to distance herself from her reality television past.
The End of a Personal and Professional Partnership
The mother-of-two's decision to terminate both her professional and personal relationship with Donna Rooney has reportedly stunned mutual friends, who had considered their bond 'water-tight' given their decade-long friendship and deep family connections.
According to sources close to the situation, Millie, 36, became increasingly desperate to sever ties with her reality TV roots, fearing that the ongoing association was holding back her career progression and preventing her from landing more 'credible' opportunities in the entertainment industry.
The split has left Donna, who has been a friend for over ten years and played a significant role in the lives of Millie's daughters, 'deeply upset' by what she allegedly described as a 'betrayal'. Friends claim there is 'no way back' after the professional separation, with Millie even unfollowing Donna on Instagram as a clear signal of their severed ties.
A Strategic Career Move to YMU
Millie, who shares children Sienna, five, and Aurelia, four, with husband Hugo Taylor, has now signed with powerhouse talent agency YMU, the company behind major British stars including Ant and Dec, Simon Cowell, Davina McCall, and Claudia Winkleman.
The agency officially welcomed Millie as a client last week, describing her as a 'content creator, author and wellness advocate' in their announcement. Her husband Hugo offered congratulations on the post, while Millie commented 'so excited' about her new representation.
Industry insiders suggest the move to YMU represents a strategic step for Millie to secure more mainstream television opportunities, boost her brand presence, and most importantly, finally shed the 'reality star' label that has followed her since her Made In Chelsea days.
The Personal Cost of Professional Ambition
The depth of the personal relationship between Millie and Donna makes the professional separation particularly poignant. Sources revealed that Donna treats Millie's children as if they were her own and would spoil them whenever possible.
Their friendship spanned over a decade, included numerous holidays together, and countless shared memories. Donna's Instagram history showcases her dedication to Millie's career and the affection she holds for her young family.
In a sweet post dedicated to Millie's youngest daughter, Aurelia, Donna revealed that the little one even calls her 'auntie' and wrote that she 'adored the double warmth of her cuddles' and that her 'belly laughter fuelled her for the week ahead'.
Just hours after announcing her new representation deal, Millie shared a cryptic Instagram quote that read: 'Plot twist: the ending you feared is the beginning you needed' - a message that many interpreted as referencing her difficult decision to part ways with Donna.
The mystery surrounding the split deepens as Millie's mother, Georgina, continues to follow Donna and engaged with her account as recently as July, while Millie's own interactions have completely ceased.
A Pattern of Reality Stars Seeking New Representation
Millie's move to YMU follows a pattern of former reality stars seeking to rebrand themselves through the powerful agency. Last week, The Daily Mail reported that Millie's ex Made In Chelsea co-star Spencer Matthews, 37, had also split from his management company to join YMU.
Former TOWIE star Megan McKenna, who has spent years reshaping her image from reality TV personality to country singer and devoted mother, similarly parted ways with her longtime manager this year to sign with YMU.
Industry sources note that after years of working primarily with television talent, YMU is now investing heavily in influencers and has developed a habit of luring established clients away from their long-term managers.
An insider commented: 'It's becoming a bit of a pattern, first Megan, then Spencer, and now Millie. These are all celebrities with reality TV pasts who have successfully rebranded themselves and carved out entirely new careers.'
From Reality TV to Wellness Advocate
Millie first found fame in Made In Chelsea in her early twenties and remained a fixture on the show for 13 years, alongside fellow original stars including Spencer Matthews and Caggie Dunlop. She became a fan favourite thanks to her dramatic storylines and impeccable fashion sense, even launching her own clothing line.
It was on the series that she met rapper Professor Green, her first husband, with whom she was married from 2013 to 2016, though she had quit the show for good in 2012. Following their high-profile split, Millie began dating former co-star Hugo Taylor, 39, and the pair tied the knot in 2018.
Since leaving reality television, Millie has carved out a career in the wellness space and become a vocal advocate for sobriety, speaking openly on social media about giving up alcohol. She authored the book 'Bad Drunk' about her sobriety journey and frequently shares candid posts reflecting on her lifestyle overhaul and troubled past.
Her transition to YMU represents the latest step in her ongoing evolution from reality television personality to serious wellness entrepreneur and media figure, though it has come at the significant personal cost of ending one of her closest friendships.
