‘It’s bizarre. She’s so adored and it’s so very sad she has felt the need to do this’: The reason behind Karren Brady’s glamorous new look… and the role her daughter has played

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When Karren Brady arrived at Birmingham City’s offices, she immediately commanded attention, often inspiring both respect and a certain awe from the men around her. Even at 23, as managing director, she projected authority with her stylish and expensive designer clothing – think Prada heels and a Chanel handbag – leaving no doubt she was in charge.

Honestly, even her car blew everyone else’s out of the water! It wasn’t just a nice car, it was a top-of-the-line Porsche – way flashier than anything the team’s biggest stars drove. I mean, it was her car, and it just screamed success and style, even compared to the guys getting all the money. I was obsessed, of course, with everything about her, and that Porsche was a total symbol of it all!

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always admired women who truly pave the way, and this woman was definitely one of them. She inspired so many girls and young women throughout the UK – and it wasn’t just about her powerful presence. It was about who she was, beyond simply commanding attention. She showed us all what was possible.

Sources around at the time tell me that she had a thick skin and ‘she took absolutely no s***’.

I’ll never forget hearing about the time she first got on the team bus. Apparently, someone shouted something incredibly rude about how she looked, and her response was just perfect. She apparently shot back with, ‘When I sell you to Crewe, you won’t be able to see them from there, will you?’ It was legendary – a brilliant way to shut someone down and show them who was boss. Honestly, it perfectly sums up her no-nonsense attitude!

She kept her promise. The opposing player was quickly defeated, solidifying her reputation as the leading figure in women’s football.

It’s surprising, then, that after 33 years, Karren appears to have become less sure of herself – particularly when it comes to how she presents herself.

Photos on Karren’s Instagram show the 56-year-old looking stylish in her usual polished outfits, but they’ve been significantly edited to make her skin appear flawless and remove any blemishes.

The transformation is so dramatic, she’s barely recognizable, as fans of the BBC show The Apprentice have noticed. Following the premiere of the newest season on Thursday, she shared several photos of herself in a stylish white dress by Roland Mouret.

One viewer described her as timeless and beautiful. However, many watching the show – where she’s been a mentor for 16 years – commented that she appeared more authentic on television.

Some people are wondering if Karren Brady, known for dismissing criticism about how she looks, has finally given in to the pressures older women often face when in the public eye.

As a longtime admirer, it really bummed me out to see her using filters. It’s just sad, because she’s naturally stunning! Everyone I know who follows her work agrees – she looks amazing just as she is, and it feels like she doesn’t even realize it.

I often hear people say there’s no real downside to using these tools. One person I saw put it perfectly: ‘Honestly, who wouldn’t want to improve their appearance with a little online assistance?’ It just seems like a harmless way to feel a bit better about yourself.

Karren has always felt her appearance was scrutinized, starting when she began her career at Birmingham City. This attention reportedly intensified after she became a television personality on the ITV show Loose Women in 1999.

Friends say her sensible attitude and courage to succeed as a woman in the traditionally male world of football unfortunately made her a target for criticism from people trying to elevate their own image.

According to someone who knows her, Karren has faced a lot over the years. Back when she was in charge in Birmingham, she was often subjected to sexist abuse from spectators at football matches – the things they shouted were awful. While she’s strong, it still affected her. Later, when she started working in television, people focused on her appearance. Her no-nonsense attitude seemed to give them permission to do so.

It seems like envy might be behind the negativity, but the online abuse has clearly had a lasting impact on Karren. She’s been constantly criticized for how she looks, which is awful. It’s really sad that, even though she looks fantastic in person, she now feels she needs to use filters on social media, especially at her age.

Karren has often given career advice to young women, and she’s aware they already feel a lot of pressure to maintain a certain appearance. They’ll likely notice a difference between how she looks in person and her carefully curated photos on Instagram.

Karren Brady is a successful businesswoman and life peer – known as Baroness Brady of Knightsbridge – who also holds a CBE. She’s currently vice-chair of West Ham United football club, and even while at the team’s stadium, she often shares highly edited photos of herself online.

According to a source close to the situation, people are surprised by this. While she’s very popular and men find her attractive, they actually like her more when she isn’t using filters or editing her photos.

Outside of her career, Karren has been married to Paul Peschisolido, a former Canadian international footballer, for 30 years. They met when Paul was playing for Birmingham City and Karren was a managing director there. Together, they have two children, Sofia and Paolo.

I’ve gotten to know Paul, who’s 54, and he’s one of the most genuine and kind football stars you’ll meet. He’s let his hair naturally turn grey with age, rather than coloring it.

Let me tell you, from what I’m hearing, Karren isn’t dealing with the usual insecurities that can come with a big age gap in a relationship. A friend told me that when they first got together, some people questioned whether he was ‘worthy’ of her – a really unfair thing to say, honestly! It just goes to show how quickly people jump to judge, especially when there’s an imbalance of perceived status. It’s refreshing to hear it’s not been an issue for them, though.

The family’s daughter, Sofia, is very skilled at using social media – she’s an influencer. The 28-year-old, who went to Nottingham University, currently lives in Dubai with her fiancé Frankie Makin and their two young sons, Leo (22 months) and George (four months).

She frequently shares stylish photos on Instagram, showing off her beautiful life and luxurious £1.4 million home to her 300,000 followers.

According to a source, Karren didn’t start using Instagram until her friend Sofia joined. She quickly realized it was an enjoyable and helpful way to boost her public image, just like many other celebrities. She learned to use filters, which she found surprisingly captivating, and thought, ‘If younger people are doing it, why shouldn’t I?’

Karren Brady has noticeably lost weight recently, and she’s had to address rumors that she used weight-loss injections. She maintains that her weight loss is due to consistently working out at the David Lloyd gym in Fulham, where she goes three or four times a week.

‘I’m not on Ozempic,’ she said. ‘I’d much prefer the conversation to be focused around my work.’

Karren’s friends say she was inspired to get in shape and prioritize her health after becoming a grandmother. One friend explained that while she was already very glamorous, having grandchildren encouraged her to focus on her own well-being.

I’ve known Karren for years and have always been impressed by her background as a pioneering female footballer. She once told me she has a no-nonsense attitude and has always been strong – and always will be. She said, ‘I don’t take any old rubbish, I never have and I never will. You have to be tough.’

However, it appears Karren may care about her appearance more than she lets on.

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2026-02-01 04:34