The secret agony of nepo-baby Scarlett Thomas as showbiz insiders admit ‘trouble follows her’ amid feud claims
DANCING on TikTok in jeans and a crop top, Scarlett Thomas looks like any other carefree 17-year-old.
But behind the glamorous and often very mature posts, we can reveal that Scarlett has been struggling after a series of cruel accusations went viral. Here, insiders tell us why it might look like trouble is following her around – and the truth about these very public feuds.
From a young age, Scarlett – the daughter of Ryan Thomas and his ex Tina O’Brien – has come under scrutiny.
She landed a starring role in Waterloo Road as Izzy Charles when she was just 13 – catapulting her into nepo-baby superstardom.
Her character Izzy is often at the centre of conflict and drama – and in real life things aren’t that much different.
Just a few days ago Scarlett found herself going viral online after fellow nepo baby Princess Andre took a swipe at an unnamed rival.
Alongside a TikTok video, she wrote: “When little miss copy cat strikes again so now I have to think of another thing for her to copy.”
And it wasn’t long until speculation was rife that the person in question was Scarlett.
While Princess was quick to deny other people’s involvement, she failed to comment on rumours about Scarlett.
The pair, who both have famous parents, have equally impressive social media followings and both have worked for brands owned by Boohoo. But the similarities end there.
While Princess is bringing out a make-up range, Scarlett is launching a music career.
But it’s not the only time Scarlett has found herself at the centre of rumours – she went viral this week after she was spotted at a December 10 concert.
It coincided with an influencer – Phoebe Prentiss – claiming Josh from the band had dumped her for someone new.
Wild TikTok rumours spread instantly with December 10’s legion of fans making accusations left right and centre.
Our insider said: “It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Scarlett. Her name is constantly being brought up in situations that aren’t fair.
“From the outside she knows it looks like trouble is following her around and she knows it’s not a good look.
“She has a really thick skin and gets that it’s all part of being in the public eye, but it’s very frustrating at times.
“The truth is Scarlett leads a very quiet life really, she does a fair bit online and is always singing but she’s not out all the time or causing drama.”
Being talked about is nothing new for Scarlett and she has been dealing with online criticism, pre-judgments, and social pressures for years.
Earlier this year she admitted she only has one friend, Summer Violet Bird, who plays Tonya in Waterloo Road.
Appearing on the podcast Ami Charlize’s Private Story, Scarlett said: “I keep my circle very very small.
“I have my best friend Summer, who I also met on Waterloo Road, and it’s just me and her. I’m so at peace with that and happy with that.”
Scarlett often turns to her family for support instead – she divides her time with mum Tina and dad Ryan.
In 2024, Tina – best known for playing Sarah Platt on Corrie – was involved in a vicious street brawl with teenage girls outside the family home.
Footage obtained by The Sun showed the 5ft 1in actress trading blows and putting a girl in a headlock — as well as being hit herself and having her hair pulled.
A source said at the time: “Police have concluded Tina acted in self-defence and hasn’t done anything wrong. Her version has always been that she was defending her home and her family, and that appears to have been accepted.
“Tina is also tiny and not an aggressive person — so is not the kind to be fighting in the street usually. These girls came to her road and to her house, and that’s the only reason she got involved. She thinks they were looking for trouble and — although it was not a good look — in a way she did the right thing.”
Life with dad Ryan, who is engaged to Lucy Mecklenburgh, is somewhat different. He built her very own recording studio at home and Scarlett is incredibly close to Ryan’s siblings – Scott and Adam – often appearing on the Thomas brothers’ podcast.
While her parents have often been at loggerheads since they split in 2009, they both agreed she was able to drop off school to focus on her music career, which meant she failed to do her GCSEs.
She proudly revealed the news in a TikTok video, which she captioned: “I’m watching everyone get their GCSE results today, wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.”
It was a move that sparked widespread outrage, with many branding it a “terrible parenting decision”.
Ryan hit back, commenting: “Is it even anyone’s business or concern though?”
It fuelled further questions about the teen, with concerns she is “growing up too fast”.
She wasn’t impressed and said: “I think my fan base is a little bit weird. People think I’m a lot younger than I am and I don’t think many people are ready that I’m growing up.
“It’s a bit weird. It’s so frustrating. But a lot of like influencers my age, which is still the same kind of topic, don’t get the same kind of comments as I do. Like, ‘Why are you growing up so fast?’”
And as she gears up to release her first single, it looks like Scarlett will be doing anything she can to prove she’s no longer a little girl.
