How ‘Peru Two’ drugs smuggler Michaella McCollum could make £50k from reality shows and book deals
SHE shot to notoriety as one of the Peru Two drug mules.
But it seems that Michaella McCollum is set to cash in on her questionable fame with a stint on Big Brother.
The 24-year-old ex-convict and former pal Melissa Reid – who made headlines in August 2013 when they were caught trying to smuggle 11kg of cocaine, worth £1.5million, from Peru to Madrid – are reportedly in “advanced talks” with Channel 5 to appear on the next series of the reality programme - which is a pairs theme.
A source told The Sun Online: “Michaella has made no secret of her dream to become a reality TV star.
“She’s spent the last six months trying to build up her profile and her image – and just days ago she was even snapped on the beach in a very revealing swimming costume.
“It’s all part of her bid to get her name out there in the lead up to returning to our screens – this time on an entertainment show, not BBC news.”
Celebrity Brand Expert believes Michaella needs to act quickly if she wants to keep her name in the spotlight and must find ways to endear herself to the public.
He told The Sun Online: “Now that Michaella McCollum is free, it's likely she'll try to cash in on her notoriety, quickly.
“Networks and publishers pay close attention for opportunities to leverage people's attention, so Michaella's focus now is likely on drumming up attention to stay on our radar.
“I think it's interesting that she's been building a brand since the day she was named part of the ‘Peru Two’—that's a brand.
“She's had a complete makeover since her jailed days, which is likely an effort to clean her slate and re-market herself.”
Phil believes Michaella “needs to act fast because people lose interest quickly” but could be set for a big pay day.
He added: “If she's strategic about her next moves, she could definitely earn a decent amount of money.
“My prediction is that she could easily secure a book advance for £25-50K, and potentially negotiate a contract for a reality show for more, if there's interest.
“I'm actually surprised she's not stronger on social media. Publishers and networks are constantly trying to quantify the amount of attention received, and social media is one way to do it. Had she been stronger, that would have upped my estimate.”
Big Brother producers have reportedly “been chatting to her about getting her on the next series” believing her and Melissa to be the dream housemates.
The source added: “Her accomplice Melissa is less excited by the whole showbiz world but, because of the pairs theme, producers think they would be the ideal signing.
“They think the girls will help to stir up some excitement and chatter for the new series, as well as bring some glamour and drama.”
Michaella was previously in talks to join Celebrity Big Brother after she was released from a Peruvian jail last April.
She’s not afraid to be in the public eye – having been snapped earlier this year supporting Ireland during their clash with France wearing just a rugby shirt and towering heels.
Michaella was also pictured holidaying in Spain last month in a host of skimpy outfits.
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The pair also appeared on Channel 4 documentary Brits Behind Bars: Cocaine Smugglers which detailed how drug mules are trained.
Michaella, from Northern Ireland, and Melissa, from Glasgow, spent three years inside a mosquito-infested cell with droves of other women for the offence.
The innocent-looking duo touched people’s hearts along with their claims they had been forced into carrying the drugs by a brutal armed gang.
Calls were quickly made for the two friends to be flown back home to their families as many feared the girls were nothing more than terrified drug mules.
However, their story soon began to unravel and confessions later followed that ‘they knew what they were doing’ all along.
Melissa confessed: “I made a conscious decision to do it and no one forced me.”
Stories then broke of the girls’ wild-partying days on the drug-fuelled island of Ibiza where Michaella worked as a nightclub hostess.
A Channel 5 spokesperson declined to comment.