I find it a bit sad because I used to like her and find her quite genuine, but she just seems so inauthentic and stepford-y these last couple of years.
All of the gifted hotels and items make me feel a bit ill too, the way she presents her life as something we should all be achieving without recognising the privileges that put her in this position.
Also if my husband hadn't been able to cook (or at least willing to learn) we wouldn't have made it past a third date.
I think you’ve pretty much articulated my feelings with Manon.
She’s never been self aware in that way, and I think it’s become worse since she married a wealthy banker. I’ve no doubt she earns a good income herself, but realistically it’s Wells Fargo money that funds the £1.75mil house in Clapham.
She moved to London age 19 to au pair for about I year before going to uni IIRC, because she wanted to learn English. I left home to move overseas too, and it’s pretty difficult, mentally, if you don’t have some sort of financial safety net, which I assume Manon did have.
She studied economics at uni and then moved back to London. She had a job in tech as a software project manager, and I think it must’ve been pretty lucrative for her. She mentioned how she was able to take risks with her blogging/influencing as though it was some sort of brave thing she did - but she came from money and was able to get a good job with help from her degree, all pretty privileged if you ask me.
Then there’s the confidence to actually put yourself forward for stuff like GBBO, and to take risks at all. Manon has mentioned growing up in a loving supportive family. Sad to say, this is a privilege too. Coming from someone who didn’t have that.
I’ve done pretty well for myself and came from much humbler origins than Manon. I’d be the first person to point out that I got here 50% luck, 50% my own choices/devisions/hard work.
I get the sense Manon thinks, I worked hard and I’m super proud… but I do think she forgets the luck and privilege that has gone into it.
