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Gabriella Ellis talks cyberbullying and her new music career!

After starring in BAFTA award-winning ‘Made in Chelsea’ Gabriella is based full time in Los Angeles and is fully focused on a career in music.
What have you been up to since Made in Chelsea? We loved your rainbow hair!

I have moved to LA and I am 100% focused on my music career here, writing for some great up and coming artists and putting the finishing touches on my project.

What made you want to get involved with Cybersmile?

I love what Cybersmile does! Online bullying is incredibly prominent these days with all the different social media platforms. I have been a victim hugely of online bullying and whether you brush it off and say it’s ok, it’s not. Words can be very powerful and can hurt a lot more than people let on. I want to help put a stop to the trolling on social media for the teenagers and adults that aren’t as strong and don’t have the thick skin needed to let go of the horrific comments.

You say you’ve suffered online abuse, what happened and how have you overcome it?

Since being on Made in Chelsea people have very strong opinions of who I am, where I have come from and what I look like. Back when the show started i used to receive daily death threats from trolls, comments on the way I looked and general hate for the way i was perceived on the show. It’s much harder when you get abuse for being yourself and not a character and I was unlucky to be perceived as ‘Crazy’ from how the show was edited. Originally at the beginning when I received all this backlash and abuse about my personality and looks I was devastated and even went for a consultation to have my jaw set back because the trolls made me feel so insecure about myself!

I am very lucky to have amazing friends and family around me who made me feel much better about who I am and made me realize that online bullies only bully because they are jealous of what you have and feel the only way to get that across is to hate on you. I grew a much thicker skin and knew within myself that I am beautiful, confident and an all round good non-crazy person. Every time I now receive hate I block, report and delete the comments – that’s not to say that it doesn’t still hurt!

What advice would you give to somebody suffering cyberbullying or online abuse?

Surround yourself with your loved ones, they are the only people who know you as well as you know yourself! You are not crazy, you are not ugly! Remember that these bullies are only trying to make themselves feel better by putting you down! YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, CONFIDENT AND STRONG. Always block the negativity, report the bullies and delete the comments! Don’t be afraid to speak up about it.

What would you say to people that claim cyberbullying and online hate isn’t as bad as being bullied in person?

That’s complete rubbish! I was bullied at school and I can tell you that online bullying affected me much more. People don’t hold back what they think of you from behind the safety of a computer!

Do you think social media is a blessing or a curse?

It’s very much both. It’s great because you can get your feelings, pictures and visualizations across and you can share your life with the world but you also put yourself out there to be judged and bullied for what you love.

What’s your favourite social media platform?

Instagram! I love taking photos of what I am passionate about and share my real life with my fans and followers!

Do you have a favourite positive mantra?

Do what you love, Love what you do!

WE THINK THAT GABRIELLA ROCKS! FOR AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT MAKES GABRIELLA REALLY FEEL POSITIVE, ENJOY HER #POSITIVEPLAYLIST CREATED JUST FOR US!