Closer to... Real Life

In her bid to transform herself into the ultimate living doll, Pixee Fox will stop at nothing. At just 25, the aspiring model has splurged £65k on plastic surgery, including a bum lift, lipo and four boob jobs. Shockingly, Pixee’s obsession has seen her have six ribs removed to achieve an unnaturally tiny 14-inch waist. Single Pixee – who has had more than 15 ops, all paid for by her savings or by male admirers – says: “My waist measurement used to be 22 inches and now it’s 18 inches, but I should be able to get down to 14 inches with a corset. I like the hourglass look and want to be like a cartoon or living doll. Ribs are there to protect internal organs, but I’m not worried…

Four years ago, Naomi Oni was a normal 20-year-old girl who enjoyed her job in retail and loved going out partying with her friends. But in December 2012, her life changed forever when her jealous friend, Mary Konye, threw sulphuric acid in her face, leaving her with severe burns. Naomi was so devastated when she first saw her disfigured face, neck and chest in the mirror that she wanted to kill herself. To add to her misery, two months after her attack, Naomi’s boyfriend ended their relationship and she feared no man would ever find her physically attractive again. But now, speaking exclusively to Closer, 24-year-old Naomi reveals she has since dated someone else for a few months and, although it didn’t work out, she’s feeling more confident than ever.…

Happily married Ria and Andy Cross have an idyllic home life with their two daughters, aged 14 and 10. And they put their strong family bond down to an unusual source – their naturism. Part-time life model Ria – who lives in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, with her hubby of 21 years, Andy, 49, and their two girls – says: “We all feel comfortable walking round the house naked. “The children have grown up with it and it’s a great way to show them that bodies come in all shapes and sizes and to promote a positive body image. Growing up, I was shy and insecure about my body, but naturism has given me confidence and my relationship with Andy has improved. “The children love the lifestyle, too. If it’s…

Single mum Mandy Cowie hasn’t worked since she was 17, and for the past 30 years has relied on benefits to provide for her 10 kids by five different dads. Only one of 49-year-old Mandy’s eight grownup children is currently employed – two of them have been in trouble with the police, with one being imprisoned – and Mandy admits she struggles to control her youngest two, Charlie, 15, and Jack, 13. Yet in last year’s controversial Channel 5 TV show, Benefits Britain: Big Families Special, jaw-dropping scenes showed Mandy – who’s spent more than £2k on tattoos – smoking and drinking alcohol with her 15-year-old daughter Charlie, who once refused to go to school for months. REWARDS Meeting at a London hotel, Closer got an insight into the pair’s…

Emma: What was it like for you growing up? Mandy: As soon as I was 16, I left home. I haven’t spoken to my mum in 20 years. I didn’t go to college or get any qualifications. I want better for my kids. E: I’m a mum. I don’t agree with allowing Charlie to drink and smoke. Don’t you think that gives her mixed messages? M: Every parent is different. People will slag me off, but other kids do worse. She knows it’s not good for her. I hate her smoking, but I’d rather she does it in my house than behind my back. E: When did the school problems start with Charlie? M: About two years ago now. I did everything I could but she refused to go into…

As Rachelle Friedman Chapman cradles her baby girl, Kaylee, she still can’t believe she’s a mum. Rachelle was partying with friends on her hen do in 2010 when one of them accidently pushed her into the shallow end of a pool, breaking her neck and leaving her paralysed from the chest down. Rachelle, 30, was devastated to learn she’d never walk again and even more heartbroken when she was told she wouldn’t be able to carry a child. Thankfully, an old university friend offered to be a surrogate and she’s now mum to Kaylee. Rachelle – who lives with her teacher husband Chris, 33, in North Carolina, USA – says: “My life changed in an instant. One minute I was having my picture taken in a party dress with my…