40 Facts About Megan Mckenna

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Megan McKenna's journey to fame began early. Her background and initial steps in the entertainment industry set the stage for her multifaceted career.

1. Megan Elizabeth McKenna was born on September 26, 1992, in Barking, London, to a family with Irish roots on her father's side.
2. She started her career young, making appearances on various reality TV shows, which helped her gain initial recognition.

Rise to Fame in Reality TV

Megan's appearances on reality TV shows catapulted her into the public eye, making her a household name in the UK.

3. McKenna gained widespread recognition for her appearances on Ex on the Beach (2015-2016) and Celebrity Big Brother (2016).
4. She joined the cast of The Only Way Is Essex in 2016 and remained a full-time cast member until 2017.

Transition to Music

Megan's passion for music led her to pursue a career in the industry, where she found significant success.

5. After focusing on her music career, McKenna released her debut studio album, Story of Me, in 2018, which peaked at number four on the UK Country Chart.
6. She has been involved in country music, releasing singles like "High Heeled Shoes" and "Far Cry from Love," which topped the British iTunes chart within 24 hours of their release.
7. In 2019, McKenna won The X Factor: Celebrity, further solidifying her music career.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Beyond music and television, Megan has ventured into entrepreneurship, showcasing her business acumen.

8. She launched her own restaurant, "MCK Grill," in Woodford Green in 2017.
9. McKenna released a range of hair extension pieces with Easilocks in 2017.
10. In August 2018, she launched her debut clothing range, Studio Mouthy, and her makeup range, Mouthy Cosmetics.

Literary Pursuits

Megan has also made her mark in the literary world with her autobiographical work.

11. In 2018, McKenna published her debut autobiographical book, Mouthy, which topped the Sunday Times bestseller list.

Personal Life and Challenges

Megan's personal life, including her relationships and health issues, has often been in the spotlight.

12. She revealed in her autobiography Mouthy that she was bullied at school.
13. McKenna disclosed that she suffers from coeliac disease.
14. In 2016, she began dating The Only Way Is Essex cast member Pete Wicks, but the pair broke up in 2017.
15. She got engaged to footballer Oliver Burke in June 2023 and announced her pregnancy in April 2024.
16. In September 2023, McKenna suffered facial burns after a freak accident involving a jug of gravy.

Early Career Milestones

Before her major reality TV stints, Megan had already made notable appearances and auditions.

17. In 2009, McKenna reached the semi-finals of the third series of Britain's Got Talent as part of the music duo Harmony.
18. She appeared in an advertisement for the second series of The Inbetweeners that year.
19. In 2010, McKenna auditioned to be part of the girl group LOLA on The Only Way Is Essex and performed at T4 Stars of 2010.
20. She auditioned for The X Factor twice, making it to bootcamp each time.

Reality TV Highlights

Megan's reality TV journey includes several memorable moments and shows.

21. In 2015, McKenna appeared on the third series of MTV reality series Ex on the Beach. She returned for the fourth series alongside Jordan Davies but departed early due to the death of her grandfather.
22. In 2016, McKenna became a housemate in the seventeenth series of Celebrity Big Brother. She received a formal warning for using aggressive and threatening behavior towards her fellow housemates and was the fourth housemate to be evicted.
23. After her stint in Celebrity Big Brother, McKenna rejoined The Only Way Is Essex as a full-time cast member in March 2016.

Music and Tours

Megan's music career has included tours and notable performances.

24. In 2017, McKenna starred in her own reality series There's Something About Megan, which focused on her journey to Nashville to begin a career in country music. The series consisted of three episodes and aired on ITVBe.
25. Following the series finale, McKenna embarked on her first headlining tour to promote the release of "High Heeled Shoes," visiting The Sugarmill, The Venue, Palace Theatre, and Scala.
26. In July 2018, McKenna supported Michael Bublé at the British Summer Time show at Hyde Park.
27. On July 26, 2018, McKenna released her debut autobiographical book Mouthy, which became a bestseller.
28. In December 2018, McKenna released her debut album Story of Me, which peaked at number four on the UK Country Chart.
29. From May 2019 to September 2019, McKenna embarked on the Story of Me Tour across the United Kingdom.

Other TV Appearances

Megan has continued to appear on various TV shows, showcasing her versatility.

30. In 2018, McKenna participated in the first series of Celebs on the Farm and was eliminated second, finishing in seventh place.
31. In February 2019, McKenna participated in the sixth series of the E4 reality series Celebs Go Dating.
32. In 2021 and 2022, McKenna competed in the BBC series Celebrity MasterChef.

Philanthropy and Community Engagement

Both Megan McKennas have been involved in philanthropic activities and community engagement.

33. While not extensively documented, it is known that both Megan McKennas are involved in various philanthropic activities. The author Megan McKenna has been associated with peace and justice groups, while the reality TV star has likely participated in charity events related to her public profile.
34. The author Megan McKenna works with Indigenous groups, base Christian Communities, and justice and peace groups, as well as parishes and dioceses.
35. In 2002, the author Megan McKenna was appointed an Ambassador of Peace for Pax Christi, a role that has significantly influenced her work in peace and justice.

Personal Growth and Resilience

Both Megan McKennas have shown remarkable resilience and personal growth throughout their careers.

36. Both Megan McKennas have spoken about their personal growth and resilience in the face of challenges. The author has written extensively on themes of hope and transformation, while the reality TV star has shared her experiences with bullying and health issues.
37. The reality TV star Megan McKenna has continued to release music and has been actively involved in various music projects since her win on The X Factor: Celebrity.

Legacy and Impact

The legacies of both Megan McKennas are marked by their contributions to their respective fields.

38. The author Megan McKenna has contributed significantly to theological and literary discourse, inspiring many with her work.
39. The reality TV star Megan McKenna has become a household name in British entertainment, inspiring many with her journey from reality TV to music stardom.
40. Both women are true examples of resilience and dedication to their respective fields.

Megan McKenna: A Multifaceted Talent

Megan McKenna has carved out a unique space in the entertainment world. From her early days on reality TV shows like Ex on the Beach and The Only Way Is Essex, she transitioned seamlessly into a successful music career. Winning The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019 was a pivotal moment, showcasing her vocal talent and passion for country music. Beyond TV and music, Megan's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her ventures like the MCK Grill and her hair extension range with Easilocks. Her autobiography, Mouthy, offers a candid look into her life, touching on personal struggles and triumphs. Engaged to footballer Oliver Burke and expecting a child, Megan's personal life is also blossoming. Whether through her music, business ventures, or personal stories, Megan McKenna continues to inspire and entertain, proving she's much more than just a reality TV star.