EXCLUSIVE: ‘She chose my new name over martinis in Milan’: Jessica Alves reveals surprise friendship with Kirstie Alley that helped her transition from Celeb Big Brother
Jessica Alves was heartbroken to learn her former Celebrity Big Brother co-star Kirstie Alley lost her short battle with cancer aged 71 on Monday.
The TV star, 39, bonded with the Cheers actress when they both appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 and spent time together in Italy after the show.
Jessica told MailOnline: ‘We met in Milan at the end of the show and she was one of the first people I told I was in transition.
EXCLUSIVE: She chose my new name over Milan martinis: Jessica Alves has revealed her surprise friendship with the late Kirstie Alley that helped her transition from CBB in 2018
Happy in her skin: Jessica was very open about her transition journey (pictured last week) and asked that her old name not be mentioned
“We sat drinking martinis at the Dolce And Gabbana bar and I got tipsy and cried as I confided in him what I was going through.
“I told her that I was really struggling and she lent me an attentive ear. We talked about names which she helped me choose Jessica which I adore.
“We went shopping after that and Kirstie spent several thousand pounds on Manolo Blahniks. She had a real passion for them but she was down to earth in other areas.
Jessica was in Italy for work and Kirstie was on vacation there at the same time, for a few days, texting Jessica asking if she wanted to meet.
She said Scientologist Kirstie had a lot of interesting things to say but never once tried to convince her to get involved in her religion.
Special: After meeting on the show, Jessica and Kirstie met in Italy where she tearfully told him how much she was struggling with her trip and she helped her a lot (pictured together in CBB)
Reflecting on their time in the Big Brother house – which saw Kirstie take second place to actor Ryan Thomas – Jessica said Kirstie helped her through a difficult time.
She said: “Being home was a tough time for me because no one knew I was transitioning at the time and I was on hormones which was driving me crazy.”
But Kirstie and Jessica bonded after taking her under her wing and letting her try on all her high heels.
Jessica said: “Kirstie had brought loads of Manolo pairs and she let me try them all around the house and walk around in them, but it was never televised.
Latest photo: It emerged on Monday that Kirstie died aged 71 following a short battle with cancer. She was last pictured in an Instagram video on September 8 as she bragged about working on Cameo
Heartbreaking: The star’s family released a statement on Instagram on Monday following the death
“She was really there for me and she was a very positive person.”
Jessica continued; “Jessica was a very clean lady with high standards and she had me clean the house with Listerine mouthwash at one point as there were no cleaning products.
Their bond was strengthened when Jessica did Kirstie’s hair and makeup and she looked so beautiful.
Jessica said: ”She could have been a big Hollywood star, but she was very down to earth and wise.
“However, she showed me pictures of all the monkeys and wild birds she had at her home in Los Angeles. She must have had a special license for them, but she loved animals.
“She was truly a special woman and I am absolutely devastated to hear of her passing – my heart goes out to all of her loved ones.”
Jessica sent her beloved to Kirstie’s family – the actress pictured with her adopted children William True and Lillie Price in 2010
