Our new reality show leaves nothing out

Our new reality show leaves nothing out

Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo have long been accustomed to sharing their lives with the public, ever since their relationship first captured attention on the reality series Made in Chelsea. Over time, their dynamic evolved into the NearlyWeds podcast following their engagement, and later into the NewlyWeds show after they married. Now, they’re documenting their next milestone—a three-part documentary titled Raising Chelsea—which explores their experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and the challenges of early parenthood.

The couple’s decision to film such personal moments, including the actual birth of their son Ziggy, feels like a natural extension of their reality TV journey. “People have come to expect this level of transparency,” Habboo explains. “It’s not about being dramatic, but about showing the raw, unfiltered truth of what it’s like to raise a family.” This approach has led to moments of vulnerability, where even the most intense emotions are captured on camera.

Intimate storytelling with a unique lens

Unlike traditional reality shows that use multiple cameras, Raising Chelsea was shot with a single camera, giving it a vlog-style authenticity. “There were times when I didn’t even realize we were filming,” Habboo notes. This method allowed the couple to feel more at ease, as the cameras became an unobtrusive part of their daily lives. Laing, who also runs the sweets brand Candy Kittens, emphasizes that the simplicity of the setup was intentional. “Three cameras feel like a distraction. We wanted the audience to experience everything as it happened,” he says.

“There is nothing off limits. I don’t like the idea of a filtered version of ourselves—it’s not true, authentic or real,” Laing reflects.

While Habboo admits there were moments of hesitation, she quickly embraced the transparency. “Sometimes it’s overwhelming,” she confesses. “I’ve even said ‘I’m not doing this’ during the show, but Jamie made sure every episode included it all.” The result? A documentary that resonates deeply with viewers, offering a sense of connection and shared experience.

Privacy vs. exposure: differing perspectives

Though both agree on the value of authenticity, their views on privacy have evolved differently. Habboo, who initially aimed to “put my best foot forward” when launching the podcast in 2021, was more cautious about what to reveal. “I didn’t want people to hear the nitty-gritties of our relationship,” she recalls. Laing, however, pushed for full disclosure, a choice that sometimes left her unsettled. “Jamie made sure every episode kept everything in, which was horrifying,” she says, adding that the audience’s positive response helped her embrace the process.

The couple’s willingness to show both joy and discomfort has been central to the documentary’s appeal. “I’m worse on no sleep,” Habboo jokes, while Laing describes himself as “more anxious” during the early stages of parenthood. Their openness, however, comes with a price: constant public scrutiny and a need for resilience. “You have to have thick skin if you’re going to do this,” Laing acknowledges. “I’ve learned over time, but Sophie is still developing that.”

“People asking what’s wrong with my eyebrows. They’re evil, they’re so mean,” Habboo says. “I don’t know what they’re going to say when they see me pregnant.”

Their new show, airing just under four months after Ziggy’s birth, continues the tradition of unscripted storytelling. By embracing every moment, whether mundane or dramatic, they aim to create a reality that feels genuine and unproduced. “There’s not much authentic TV out there,” Habboo says. “We wanted to make something real.”