Keeley Hazell is opening up about the reality behind her rise to fame as a Page 3 model, referring to a famous tabloid feature that placed topless female models on page three of the newspaper. She revealed that the attention and success she gained at a young age came with complicated emotions. The actor and writer has reflected on feeling exploited by an industry that often focused more on her appearance than who she was as a person.
Now known for her acting career and role as Bex in Ted Lasso, Hazell is revisiting her past in her stage show Everyone's Seen My Tits. The production explores her journey from glamour model to performer, while looking at issues around identity, control and how women are often viewed in the public eye.
How Page 3 Made Keeley Hazell a Household Name
Hazell became one of Britain's most recognisable glamour models after winning The Sun's Page 3 Idol competition in 2004. Her appearance in the newspaper's famous Page 3 feature quickly made her a household name during the peak of the UK's lads' magazine culture.
While the modelling career brought her fame, money and opportunities, Hazell has since spoken about the personal impact of being known primarily for her looks. She explained that she did not always feel in control of the image created around her and struggled with how people viewed her because of her work.
The Reality Behind the Glamour Image
During her modelling years, Hazell was often portrayed as a symbol of confidence and beauty. However, she has since spoken about a more complicated reality behind the public image, particularly as she entered the industry at a young age.
Reflecting on her rise from a council estate to becoming a well-known glamour model, Hazell said she felt like a 'canvas' that could be transformed to fit other people's expectations. 'I was so young, there was so much exploitation, I was not emotionally or mentally prepared for it,' she said in an interview with The Guardian.
Hazell has also criticised the lack of safeguards available to women entering glamour modelling at the time. She said there was little protection or guidance for young women, leaving her without a clear understanding of the boundaries and support systems she needed.
Who Is Keeley Hazell Beyond Page 3 Fame?
Keeley Hazell is an English actor, writer and former glamour model who rose to fame in the early 2000s. Born on 18 September 1986 in Lewisham, London, she grew up in south-east London and began her career in modelling before transitioning into acting.
After becoming a Page 3 model, Hazell appeared in magazines, advertisements and entertainment projects, eventually moving towards film and television. Her acting credits include Horrible Bosses 2, The Royals and Ted Lasso, where she gained a new audience beyond her modelling career.
Hazell has also explored writing, including contributing to the creative world behind Ted Lasso and developing personal projects based on her own experiences. Now through her stage show Everyone's Seen My Tits, based on her 2025 memoir of the same name, Hazell is taking ownership of her own story.
Today, Hazell is no longer defined only by the image that made her famous. Her latest project shows a woman looking back at her past, acknowledging the difficult moments while continuing to build a career on her own terms.
