Podcast Summary: Trading Secrets — Episode 271
Guest: Chloe Veitch
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Jason Tartick (Audioboom Studios)
Episode Theme:
From Unpaid Model to Netflix Star: Chloe Veitch’s Candid Journey Through Reality TV, Imposter Syndrome, Big Payouts, and Tough Lessons in Money and Self-Worth
Episode Overview
In this episode, Jason sits down with Chloe Veitch, a household name in Netflix reality TV with over 10 show credits by the age of 26. Chloe opens up about her beginnings in a small English town, experiencing financial hardship, and yearning for escape—first through performing arts, then through a whirlwind entry into modeling and global reality television.
Chloe gives rare insight into the business—she talks openly about the money (and lack thereof), tough lessons learned, imposter syndrome, social media success, and how intuition and kindness opened doors. She also discusses the pitfalls of fame, career pivots from contestant to host, and the personal costs of having her love life in the public eye.
Chloe’s blend of sharp honesty, humor, and vulnerability makes for an episode that’s as revealing as it is motivating.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Early Life and Motivation
- Growing up in Essex:
Chloe describes a modest upbringing in a government-owned house, with her mother as the breadwinner and her father struggling with addiction.
"My relationship with money, I just think whenever I got a tiny bit of money, I would spend it... I want to go shopping, I want to go get a bag." (03:54)
- Early ambition:
She initially dreamt of West End theater but felt limited by her environment and struggled academically—except in performing arts.
2. Modeling & The Power of 'Yes'
Chloe stumbled into modeling after her mom entered her into a contest she won, which sent her to Korea for a pageant.
"Whenever an opportunity would come up, I would grab it with both hands as like an escapism." (05:12)
She quickly learned most early gigs paid nothing, but networking (at an unpaid shoot) led directly to her first reality TV audition.
3. Breaking into Reality TV
- Too Hot to Handle:
Chloe was cast for her authenticity, not for a wild, strategic persona. She didn’t even know it was for Netflix or would become an international hit.
- Her “casting story”:
"The story that got me the job...my dad’s got six different children with five different women...so like, it taught me sex isn’t that deep...they were like, you need the rehab of Lana.” (09:20)
- Paychecks & Exposure:
Chloe reveals she was not compensated for her first two major projects (including Too Hot to Handle). Instead, the value came from later brand partnerships driven by exposure.
4. The Money Side of Reality TV & Influencing
- Post-show Brand Deals:
Her first big deal was for Iconic London—£18,000 for a single Instagram Story.
"I use this anyway and they paid me something like 18,000 pound for one story…I’m gonna buy my mum a house!" (16:27)
- Peak Earnings:
After her breakout:
"...I was 19-20 years old, earning 40,000 a month just off of two brand deals..." (17:38)
She discusses the volatility of social income—earnings drop as engagement fades or time from TV increases.
- Financial regrets and evolution:
Chloe recalls impulsive purchases (a Range Rover, designer bags) and learning to value money after leaner periods:
"Now I value money and income." (19:24)
5. Navigating Career & Personal Growth
- Imposter syndrome:
Chloe admits to regularly doubting her worth, especially moving from contestant to host:
"I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. I invite it as a friend sometimes." (41:42)
- On building her brand:
"It’s only been the past year or two I’ve thought, ‘Oh my God, this is a business’...I was living in the moment all this time." (11:28)
- Transition to Hosting:
She attributes her move to hosting not to strategy, but to consistently nurturing genuine relationships:
"I always keep the relationships...it’s taken years of being in the industry, maintaining contact, calling them, going for coffee..." (24:27)
She never auditioned—Netflix execs came to her based on reputation and enthusiasm.
6. Inside Reality TV: Behind the Scenes & Mental Health
- The impact of public relationships:
"If you’re publicly in a relationship, you get less TV jobs…it’s the unspoken rule of reality TV." (22:00)
- Psychological pressures:
On trying to “play a character” versus being herself, especially after her first reality hit:
"On The Circle, I had that voice in my head: ‘You need to give them what they want’. I was a nervous wreck." (13:44)
- Hardest Reality Experience:
Refused to consider a return to 'Perfect Match':
"You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to do it again. It's the Hunger Games for reality TV." (23:40)
7. Lessons in Money, Love, and Boundaries
- Payroll as a host:
Her hosting gig became her largest payday—well into six figures, negotiated with the help of her agency team.
"I was like, I don't care if they don't pay me. I just want to do it...Then it got pushed into the six figure range and I was like, wow." (30:28-31:27)
- Value of trusting your intuition:
She turned down a £250,000 upfront deal to preserve her relationship with Netflix:
"If you would have done that, we wouldn't have had you host the show...when that greed—you ignore that intuition—it will f*** you up in the long run." (49:10-49:34)
- “No is a full sentence” and the importance of boundaries:
"Silence is deadly...If you want to understand someone more, shut your mouth, open your ears...No is a full sentence." (38:10-38:31; 71:35)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On childhood and modeling:
"I failed all my GCSEs other than English, which is shocking because I’m definitely dyslexic...but I got an A star in performing arts..." (01:36-02:07)
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On building wealth from exposure, not paychecks:
"None of them [reality shows] were paid...the brand deals are really just what have got me through." (20:31)
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On imposter syndrome:
"I needed a year off of social media...to then go into the rebranding process...less money, less brand deals...for the long-term vision." (41:42)
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On manifestation and ‘the inside scoop’:
"If it’s something that you really want...it’s gonna happen inevitably. I genuinely believe that." (25:25)
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On her most lucrative payday:
"The job that paid best was the one I just hosted." (21:19)
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Trading Secret:
"Always lead with love and always lead with kindness...One of the reasons why I won Top Model was because there was a secret judge in the makeup room and I didn’t know." (56:48-57:12)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Chloe’s beginnings, family, and money philosophy: 01:33–04:35
- Modeling roots & falling into TV: 05:12–07:42
- Too Hot to Handle casting & Netflix debut: 08:29–10:13
- No compensation for early shows, and why she chose THTH: 10:13–10:51
- Switch to business mindset, imposter syndrome: 11:11–12:07
- Brand deals and influencer earnings: 16:22–18:36
- Financial mistakes and lessons: 19:02–19:24
- Love life impacts on career: 22:00–23:18
- Would she do more dating TV? (No): 23:39–23:56
- Hosting transition, relationships in industry: 24:25–25:18
- Pitching to Netflix executives for hosting gig: 27:17–28:28
- Negotiating six-figure hosting deal: 30:28–31:34
- Behind-the-scenes: hosting and production: 35:01–35:59
- Silence as a tactic and boundary setting: 38:10–38:31
- Imposter syndrome; social media break: 40:53–41:42
- Chloe’s new podcast & being an employee, not a ‘talent’: 43:56–44:33
- Rapid-fire: best job, worst financial move, overspending: 46:17–47:13
- Turning down $250k upfront for long-term value: 49:02–49:34
- Crystal ball: her future, self-love, boundaries: 50:47–51:43
- Love, money, and non-negotiables in relationships: 52:47–54:54
- Trading Secret: 56:48–57:12
Key Takeaways for Listeners
- Exposure > Upfront Pay (Early On): Not all big reality shows pay talent—your money may instead come from social media and brand deals.
- Build Relationships Genuinely: Career pivots are less about calculated strategy, more about sincere connections and reliability.
- Boundaries & Self-Worth: Knowing your value (and having an agent/team to back you) makes a difference, as does learning to say “no.”
- Financial Lessons Are Hard-Won: Impulsive spending and “overnight” success can mask future pitfalls, but every mistake is a lesson.
- Manifestation + Action: Belief in yourself isn’t enough—manifesting works when paired with showing up, networking, and being kind.
- Kindness is Currency: Your reputation and how you treat others behind closed doors may matter most in your career trajectory.
- Protect Your Brand for the Long Game: Quick cash isn’t worth derailing trusted partnerships or your reputation in the industry.
Memorable Quotes in Context
- "Lead with love and kindness" (Chloe Veitch, 56:48)—her ultimate career and life trading secret, and the reason she believes doors keep opening.
- "No is a full sentence" (38:31)—her hard-won advice for personal and business boundaries.
- "If you’re a good person…trust your intuition, everything falls into place." (71:36)
- "You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to do [Perfect Match] again. It’s the Hunger Games for reality TV." (Chloe, 23:40–23:45)
- "If you lose your foundation, it could ruin your foundation." (49:40) — on the risks of chasing short-term paydays.
Overall Tone
Candid, self-reflective, honest, humorous, and vulnerable—with a motivational energy. Chloe is open about the ups and downs—her gratitude is palpable, yet she’s clear-eyed about her growth, finances, imposter syndrome, and the need for strong boundaries.
Final Summary
This episode is a rare, behind-the-curtain look at the real business (and emotional) realities of modern reality TV from one of its busiest stars. Chloe Veitch delivers inspiration, hard numbers, unfiltered lessons, and the message that leading with kindness and authenticity is truly priceless.
For More:
- Follow Chloe on socials: @ChloeVeitch
- Listen to her radio show: "Big Sister" on SiriusXM
- Watch her Netflix shows; Search “Chloe Veitch” on IMDb or Wikipedia for the full list