Former Hollyoaks star Stephanie Davis, now 33, has spoken candidly about her journey from the intense pressures of fame to a place of inner peace and control. In a recent interview, she reflected on her early career, her struggles with overwhelming emotions, and her current life as a single mother to two young boys, expressing gratitude for the path she has walked.
Growing Up in the Public Eye
Davis first came to prominence at just 14 or 15 when she appeared on Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Over the Rainbow' on BBC One, which catapulted her into Hollyoaks in 2010 at the age of 17. She played Sinead O'Connor, a role that saw her grow up on screen. Reflecting on that time, she said, 'I was a child, basically, and I had to grow up in the public eye. That's not easy. It's hard enough growing up as it is, you know, let alone every mistake being put out there for everyone to see.'
Speaking to Metro via Which Bingo, Davis acknowledged the challenges she faced, including turning to alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame after leaving the soap. However, she now views her time on Hollyoaks with gratitude, believing 'everything happens for a reason.' She added, 'I did fantastic work at Hollyoaks; I was nominated for so many awards, had some fantastic storylines, but for someone so young, it was just all a bit too full on for me.'
Motherhood and New Beginnings
Davis is a single mum to two sons: Caben, born in 2017, and Samuel, who arrived in 2025. She described motherhood as 'the best thing in the world,' despite the challenges of solo parenting. 'It's obviously very hard as well, but when you're waking up and seeing your kids' faces... When he wakes up, I'm just like, my life is so blessed. You can't help but wake up smiling,' she shared.
She acknowledged the difficulties, noting that her youngest wakes at 5am, but she wouldn't have it any other way. 'Because of the age gap I've got with my two, I was on my own with Caben, but he's nine now. It kind of just got easy, and then it was back to the beginning, and now I'm on my own with both of them. It's challenging, but I wouldn't have it any other way.'
Managing Mental Health and Finding Control
Davis has been open about her mental health journey, revealing techniques she uses to manage difficult moments. She mentioned a therapist's advice to put her face in cold water during a panic attack, a method she initially ignored. She also used to use an elastic band trick on her arm to distract herself. Now, she helps others, saying, 'I try and help as much as I can.'
She explained, 'My head is my biggest problem, and my head tells me lies. I can't trust my own thinking... I have to regulate and ground myself, and usually, that's putting pen to paper so I can see it in black and white.' She writes down resentments and fears to take away their power, and finds that communicating with others helps. 'Feelings are real, but they're not physical. I used to feel like I was literally being stabbed by my feelings when they used to be too overwhelming for me to deal with,' she reflected.
Looking to the Future
Davis, who has also appeared on Coronation Street, is open to returning to soaps but is keen to explore other roles. She expressed a desire to star in a gritty Liverpool drama, citing writers like Jimmy McGovern and shows like 'Adolescence' and 'The City is Ours' as inspirations. 'I'd love to do one of his dramas. That's at the top of my list,' she said.
She concluded, 'Now I'm off maternity leave, I really believe in God and for him to place something when it's the right time... There's not much I can ask for. I've got everything that I really need.' She maintains a vision board with a picture of Jimmy McGovern and Stephen Graham, adding, 'It's about putting it into the universe. You attract what you are.'
