Frankly, my dear, she does give a bark
Scarlett O’Hara is the most fabulous name for a pooch. What made you come up with it?
By Elizabeth Hayman · · 7 min read
This month’s cover star, Sinitta, talks about her beautiful bestie Scarlett O’Hara. Her sass, her surprising grasp of French, her love of yoga, and her (slightly confusing) relationship with Strictly Come Dancing…
Because she was deep, deep red, and I thought oh Scarlet! And then I thought, well, if it’s going to be Scarlet, then it has to be Scarlett O’Hara. There’s only one!
Love it! What breed is she?
She’s a red toy poodle. Honestly, she’s just delicious, and she gets better and better. She’s so smart… telepathic, even! She speaks fluent English, and she understands French because my children speak to her in French.
Wow seriously?
Yes! I had no idea how brilliant poodles are. She’s eight now, but she identifies as about four and a half! I’ve always loved dogs. I used to have little Yorkies, and I once had a Cairn Terrier who was beautiful. But Scarlett is the first female dog I’ve had, and they’re very different. She feels like an extension of me.
Would you say she’s as feisty as her namesake?
She is very feisty, but also really sweet and loving. But she’s fickle! I don’t eat meat, so sometimes I’ll give her a carrot or a strawberry, and she’s happy with that, but if someone nearby is eating meat, it’s like she doesn’t even know me. I’ll call her, and she’ll just look at me… then go straight to them! I’m like, “You’ve known them five minutes!” But honestly, she’s got me completely wrapped around her little paw.
What’s this I hear about her and Strictly Come Dancing?
Oh yes, she either loves it or hates it, I’m not sure! I watch the show, we’re obsessed with it, but at the end, when Tess and Claudia say, “Everybody remember to keep dancing,” she starts barking her head off. Every single time! Even if friends come over and test it, she’ll bark. We still don’t know if she’s saying “Stop!” or “I love this!”
We love that maybe she should be on the next series!
What’s a typical day with Scarlett? Is she an early bird?
Are you joking? I’m an early bird. My team are early birds. Scarlett stays in bed until the very last moment. She’s like the Queen of Sheba! She starts at the foot of the bed, then by morning she’s worked her way up, sometimes even under the covers. Honestly, she thinks it’s her bed. If I get up, she doesn’t even lift her head, it’s like, “Off you go, I’m still asleep.”
Then she likes to be carried around for the first 15 minutes while I prepare her food. After that, she does her little yoga stretches, single-leg stretches and everything!
Excuse me… yoga?
Yes! If I get my yoga mat out, she joins me and starts stretching. It’s amazing.
How would you describe your relationship with her?
It’s funny, we have an amazing bond. I’m always kissing and cuddling her, though sometimes it feels like she’s just tolerating me! She loves being carried, and although we walk to the park, she’ll sometimes just sit down like, “That’s enough — carry me now.” She’s definitely the boss.
But I just melt. She’s such a good girl and such a great companion. I never imagined I’d fall in love with a dog this much. You think they’ll just be a pet, but she’s like a child. Honestly, it’s like having a two-year-old.
Has she ever shown you up in public?
Not really! But when I first got her, she was tiny. I took her on the Lorraine show. I’d just got her and didn’t want to leave her, so I hid her in my dressing room. Someone told Lorraine, and suddenly there was a knock on the door: “Have you got a puppy in here?” I couldn’t lie!
They said, “Bring her on!” and she was so small she fit in the palms of my hands. I took her on set, and honestly, I can’t even remember what I was promoting; the whole show became about Scarlett O’Hara!
Her TV debut!
Apparently, we broke the switchboard. People were calling in saying she was the cutest dog ever and asking what breed she was. Suddenly, everyone wanted a little Scarlett. I was so proud of her, and then there were red toy poodles everywhere!
Does Scarlett have her own Instagram?
We did start one, but we weren’t great at keeping it up. It’s called Scarlett Walkie Talkie. The idea was to do little chat-show-style walks with other dogs. Her bio would probably be “I’m the boss”, although she’s more than cute. She’s intelligent, funny, sassy, sweet… she’s everything. Honestly, the best pup in the world.
We have to ask about I’m a Celebrity… — it’s coming back soon. That was filmed last year, right?
Yes, in Africa in September.
How did it differ from your 2011 experience?
Bigger and harder! You think it’ll be easier because you’ve done it before, but they made all the trials tougher. There was no real advantage to having done it before; if anything, it was worse!
I also thought they might go easier on us because we’re older… but no!
Africa itself was stunning, though waterfalls and greenery were absolutely breathtaking.
Was it a nice group of celebs?
Everyone was incredible. I think it’s going to be a brilliant series, especially for people who watched us the first time. Seeing everyone come back and face even tougher challenges is fascinating. I can’t say too much… you’ll have to watch!
I’m a Celebrity Photo Credit: Ade Osubu
Sinitta, you look incredible! What are your secrets?
Thank you! I think there’s a spiritual side to it; we need to look after our mental wellbeing as well as our physical health. I eat well, don’t drink much alcohol, and I really do try to take care of myself because I want a good quality of life.
It’s all the usual things: drinking lots of water, eating fruit, cutting down on sugar, but it works. I feel good.
Any beauty treatments you swear by?
I’ve actually created my own skincare line, which I’ve been using exclusively for the past three years. I’ve been testing it on myself and friends, and the feedback has been amazing. It’s very pure. I might start selling it online soon.
Exciting! Any plans for a comeback tour?
I’m working on new music, and I’m also launching something called the One Night 80s Roadshow. It’s part Q&A, part storytelling, part performance. I’m starting small on 1st May at the Vauxhall Tavern in London, then hopefully taking it around the country.
This or That
Savoury or sweet?
Savoury — I’m really trying to avoid sugar!
Beach or pool?
Beach. I love the ocean — I even fall asleep to the sound of waves.
Heels or flats?
Heels make me feel fabulous, but I live in flats. I’d never perform in flats, though I wouldn’t feel like me!
Dressing up or dressing down?
Both! Off-duty, I’m very casual, but give me a party, and I’m all in.
Binge or weekly episodes?
Binge! I watch everything in one go — then wonder what to do next.
Takeaway or dining out?
Dining out. If I’m home, I prefer to cook.
Morning person or night owl?
Morning person, the early bird gets the worm.
Town or country?
A townie turning country girl! I stayed in Harrogate during a panto and fell in love with the countryside — sheep and all.
