Traitor's Mollie's love life and brave fight to live with terrifying diagnosis
As the youngest member of The Traitors season two, it would be easy for some to underestimate Mollie Pearce - but the 21-year-old is far tougher than her young years might suggest.
A disability model with a passion for inclusive representation and body positivity, Bristol-based Mollie hopes to use her platform to raise awareness of living with a stoma bag, which she says helped give her her 'life back'.
As the beloved murder mystery reality show reaches its finale, we take a look at Mollie's life away from the castle, including her stylish modelling shoots, health struggles, and loving relationship with a very supportive boyfriend.
Health battle
Mollie was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 11 (Instagram)
She had to undergo a procedure to have her colon removed (Instagram)At the age of 11, Mollie was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition defined by inflammation of the lower end of a person's digestive system, including the large bowel and rectum. Later on, she underwent an ileostomy procedure to have her colon removed, and had to get used to a stoma bag removing her waste instead.
This was by no means an easy journey, and Mollie has previously revealed that she struggled to walk upstairs in her own home due to the pain of her condition. She's now expressed grattitude for the new lease of life her stoma bag has brought her, despite her initial fears over the procedure.
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In one candid post shared via Instagram, Mollie wrote: "This is a post I hoped I would never have to write. On the 30th of September, I went to the hospital for a checkup and ended up being admitted due to the severity of my symptoms. I didn’t think in a million years my biggest fear was about to come true. I have been fighting ulcerative colitis for 8 years and last week it finally won when I had to say goodbye to my colon forever. It is a major 7-hour operation which has scared me since being diagnosed.”
She continued: “It’s been the hardest week of my life but the love I have felt from my friends and family is something I will never forget. All I ask is that if you have any time please educate yourself on Crohn’s and colitis. It affects a huge amount of people and can be very hard to explain and understand. It’s going to take a lot of time and strength to adjust to my new life with a stoma bag. It’s important to remember beauty isn’t external and it’s about who you are and how you view things you. All our bodies are beautiful! Please share this and anything you know about IBD to spread as much awareness as possible about this vicious illness. Let’s get you educated! Thank you to everyone for all the love and support. Scars make us strong.”
Mollie was also born with a limb difference on her right hand, with several fingers missing. In one recent episode, Mollie opened up to the rest of the group about the importance of such differences being represented. She explained: "So, when I was younger I walked into a shop and saw a model who had one arm and from that moment I just remember saying to my mum that the way she made me feel, I was like, 'I want that to be me for other people'."
Glamorous modelling career
Mollie has modelled for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger and Adidas (mollie_pearcee/Instagram)
She regularly showcases swimsuits that are suitable for those with Stoma bags (Instagram)A health care assistant by day, kind-hearted Mollie has also built up an impressive second career as a model, and is currently signed with Zebedee, a talent agency which represents 'disabled, visibly different, non-binary, and trans UK models'. According to her online bio, Mollie has previously modelled for a number of high profile brands, including the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Vogue, Kurt Geiger, and Adidas.
Mollie will also use her social media platform to showcase disability-friendly trends, including swimsuits and loungwear sets suitable for those with stoma bags.
Love life
Mollie has described Max as her 'bestest friend' (@mollie_pearcee/Instagram)
Max has been rooting for Mollie from the sofa (@mollie_pearcee/Instagram)Opening up to her fellow contestants during one episode, Mollie confessed that she had harboured doubts about ever having a relationship after getting her stoma bag, but has since found strength in her differences. Mollie shared: "Obviously as an 18-year-old, getting told that you have to have a bag stuck to you for the rest of your life, you're thinking, 'Oh my God, I'm never going to be able to wear anything again, never going to be able to go swimming again, never get a boyfriend again."
It would appear however that Mollie is happily loved-up with boyfriend Max, who she described as her 'bestest friend' in one touching Instagram post. The adoring couple have been together since at least July 2021, and appear to have a shared love of travel, often sharing holiday snaps from sunkissed destinations such as Greece, Lanzarote and Italy.
Showing encouragement for Mollie ahead of the first episode of Traitors season two, proud Max took to Instagram, writing: "Super proud of everything you have achieved but I think this one tops it cannot wait for tonight."
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