Four Lads in Jeans star reveals big problem he now faces in his love life after going viral
You may think the only problem that the Four Lads in Jeans have is deciding what tight pants to wear each morning, but you would be sadly mistaken - as it isn't exactly easy being internet stars.
Alex Lacey, Kevin Rooney, Connor Humpage and Jamie Philips had absolutely no intention of going viral when they got dressed to hit the town on that fateful day back in 2019, but that's the card they were dealt.
The foursome simply took a group picture together while heading out for a booze up in Birmingham, uploaded it to social media and got the right royal p*ss took out of them because of what they were wearing.
They've heard every joke in the book about skinny jeans, tight tops and having your bare ankles on show - so now, they're opting to go 'jean-less' to show their support for men's mental health.
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Although it seems like it's all fun and games reposting a meme or cracking a joke on social media, it's not the same when you're the subject of it - especially when it's combined with a torrent of online abuse, hate speech and death threats.
The only place the Four Lads in Jeans could seek solace while in the thick of their viral fame was the spa, as it's the only place they weren't wearing their trademark clobber and were therefore less easily recognised.
Alex, Kevin, Connor and Jamie opened up to LADbible about why they are working with spa booking and experience agency, Spabreaks.com, for their 'Real Men Relax' campaign while discussing the impact of being trolled on the internet.
Connor told us: "It's frustrating, but you kind of get you kind of get used to it. Let people think whatever they want, we all got over that years ago.
"For Spabreaks.com, we’ve been quite vulnerable in the picture by posing with ‘trolled’ written across our chests. People are going to prejudge us regardless, so we might as well do something and try to help others.
"If we can help out one person by them seeing four lads standing together who got trolled on the internet by millions of people, being quite vulnerable with a pair of swim trunks on with trolled across our chest, it's worth it.
"It shows that we’ve been brave about it all. I’m so proud we’re doing it and that we’re a part of it."
The lads have had a statue made out of them, had people dress up as them for fancy dress, as well as getting opportunities to work with brands such as McDonald's, Sony and now Paddy Power for it's Euro 2024 advert with the one and only Danny Dyer, so they've certainly had the last laugh.
You've got to give it to them - as how many other people would be able to turn being made a mockery of into a money-maker like these guys?
OK, the 'Cash me outside' girl, Bhad Bhabie, hasn't done bad out of being made into a meme, but if we're talking about on this side of the pond?
The Four Lads in Jeans have become role models for how to deal with constant taunts and trolling, as these lads have took it all on the chin and say they've all become 'like brothers' in the process.
Unfortunately though, becoming synonymous with leg-strangling trousers hasn't brought them success in all departments.
His pals might be spoken for, but Kevin has still been looking for love while also juggling being 1/4 of the Four Lads in Jeans and he admits it hasn't been an easy ride - even if they have given their wardrobes a complete overhaul.
The singleton said he thinks his notoriety has impacted his luck with the ladies, as women seem to have this preconceived idea about him after seeing the iconic image of him and his pals - but he insists people have got him all wrong.
Kevin told LADbible: "The amount of people who judge…and girls who have pre-judged me or said, 'I can’t be with someone like you, look at your Instagram or social media, I just need someone normal'.
"But they don’t know me, or haven’t met me at all."
He said in romantic terms and pretty much every other aspect of his life, people are pleasantly surprised when they actually take the time to chat to him and get to know him.
Kevin added: "When I do meet someone, they say, 'Oh my God I obviously expected you to be an idiot to be fair from what I've seen, but you're actually a really nice lad'.
"I get that all the time. I get it from people at work as well!"
The Four Lads in Jeans are ambassadors for Spabreaks.com’s Real Men Relax campaign which aims to highlight the reasons why men should go to the spa.
To find a selection of spas for men go to: https://www.spabreaks.com/categories/men
Topics: Fashion, Mental Health, Sex and Relationships, Social Media, UK News
Olivia Burke