We may have gotten use to seeing the glam that is Rachel’s new home on her Instagram feed, but it wasn’t always like this. In a new interview Rachel discusses purchasing her first home in the early days of S Club 7, and spoiler, it came pre-furnished!

Check out the interview below!

RACHEL STEVENS went from being a student living at home to being a household name as part of chart-topping band S Club 7. The global success of the band — which included a TV series — meant that she was on the property ladder at 20 and filming and performing all over the world. Since then, Rachel has gone on to have a successful solo career, appeared on Strictly and Celebrity Mastermind. She is currently working with Low Cost Glasses, an online prescription glasses retailer.

When and where did you buy?
I bought my first home in Hampstead when I was in early S Club days. I was never in the country as we were always travelling but I got good advice from my stepdad and decided to buy.

Why did you decide to take such a big step so young?
S Club was kicking off and we were out in America a lot. I was around 20 and it just felt sensible to invest in property. I was hardly ever at the Hampstead property after I bought it as we were in Miami a lot filming. I remember friends coming over to the Hampstead flat and I still had the plastic wrapping on the oven. I went from home and straight to the band. I never learnt to cook or anything, we were always on set, working and eating on the job.

How was it buying back then?
My stepdad is actually working in property so he helped me and it was a brand new development and I bought off-plan. There was no chain so not too much to get involved in. I didn’t learn too much about buying from the experience and the whole thing was relatively easy.

What was the place like?
I think I actually bought the show home flat at the time. Everything was done and I think that’s what I needed. My career was so full-on I couldn’t be at home to make any decisions. It had a gym and a pool, which was good. I was very lucky because I was so young and it felt very safe and ticked all the boxes. I slowly put my stamp on it. It was semi-furnished but at the time I didn’t know what my taste was. These days, I love interiors.

What is your style now?
My bedroom has just been finished and I wanted something calm, relaxing and glamorous. I’ve just bought a beautiful art deco mirror and dressing table. I would say glamorous with a calm, relaxed feel. I love period properties and mixing old with new. There are so many beautiful things on the high street these days that you can mix with antiques. It also has to be stylish but practical with children around.

Why did you move out?
Good question. I moved quite near my mum two or three years later in West Hampstead so not far. A property came up with a little garden and a different kind of space. Again I was hardly there and I really wanted to make something homely. I didn’t really know what home was at the time because I was always moving and it was just a crazy time. My world had changed overnight.

Did buying help you?
It was a bit of a blur if I’m honest. Everyone has a different experience. It’s such a huge thing to buy your first home. It was really exciting to have my own place but I’m not sure it made me grow up quicker. When you are in a band you aren’t that independent, because a lot is done for you and you have a lot of people around you and are really protected. I had to re-learn doing things for myself after leaving the band.

What’s your best memory living there?
The late night styling sessions there. I would have my stylist and make-up artists over and we would have a bottle of wine and play dress-up.

Have you got more interested in properties over time?
As I’ve got older I’ve been incredibly interested in property. I love looking online at different properties, I’m a bit obsessed. After West Hampstead, I moved to Primrose Hill and that was my first flat that was my own style and taste and I was able to make it my own place.

Do you have any advice about getting on the ladder early?
It’s harder than ever to buy but if you invest in property, then that money is always there. And on top of that, home is where the heart is.