THEY say you must be cut-throat to get to the top – just ask Jamie Laing.
The ex-reality star, who made his TV debut on Made In Chelsea in 2011, has ditched his entire team of two years in a bid to go global.
Jamie has split from UK talent management heavyweight YMU, which looks after some of the leading names in UK TV, including Davina McCall, Emma Willis and Stacey Solomon.
The agency helped guide Jamie to new showbiz heights and a prime-time slot co-hosting BBC Radio 1’s Drivetime show alongside Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton.
But that hasn’t been enough to keep him on its books.
I’m told Jamie, co-founder of sweet brand Candy Kittens, is keen to follow in Mark Wright‘s footsteps and bidding to crack America.
Former Towie star Mark moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to pursue his Hollywood dream, after securing a slot on US telly presenting entertainment news and gossip show Extra.
Now Jamie has signed to leading LA- based managers United Talent Agency.
A source said: “Jamie had been with YMU for years, and on a personal level he gets on with the team.
“But in recent months things have become more and more complicated and strained, in terms of the direction he thinks he should go and the direction they think would work for him.
“Ultimately Jamie wants to go global and YMU isn’t the best fit for that.
“His deal with UTA is really exciting but many of his old team are gutted to see him go.”
UTA has also snapped up Jamie’s wife Sophie Habboo, his co-host on hit podcast NewlyWeds.
Jamie and Sophie met while filming E4’s Made In Chelsea before tying the knot in Spain in May last year.
Good luck to him with his new move.
But just make sure you don’t forget those people who helped you on your way to the top, Jamie.
