EXCLUSIVE: She Chose My New Name Over Martinis in Milan: Jessica Alves surprisingly reveals her friendship with Kirstie Alley, who helped her transition to Celeb Big Brother
Jessica Alves was heartbroken to learn that her former Celebrity Big Brother co-star Kirstie Alley had lost her brief battle with cancer at the age of 71 on Monday.
The 39-year-old TV star became friends 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 Web: “We actually met in Milan when the show was ending and she was one of the first people I told I was making the switch.
EXCLUSIVE: She Prefered My New Name to Martinis in Milan: Jessica Alves has revealed her surprising friendship with the late Kirstie Alley, who helped her transition to CBB in 2018
Happy in her own skin: Jessica has been very open about her transition journey (pictured last week) and has asked that her former name not be mentioned
“We sat at the Dolce And Gabbana bar and drank martinis and I got tipsy and cried as I confided in her what I was going through.
“I told her I was really struggling and she listened to me. We talked about names about how she helped me choose Jessica, who I love.
“We went shopping afterwards and Kirstie spent several thousand pounds on Manolo Blahniks. She had a real passion for them, but was down to earth in other areas.”
Jessica had been in Italy for work and Kirstie was there on holiday at the same time, for a few days, and texted Jessica and asked if she would like to meet up.
She said that Scientologist Kirstie had many interesting things to share but never tried to get her to participate in her religion.
Special: After meeting on the show, Jessica and Kirstie met in Italy where she tearfully confided in her how much she was struggling with her journey and she was very helpful (pictured together in CBB)
Reflecting on her time in the Big Brother house, where Kirstie finished second to actor Ryan Thomas, Jessica said Kirstie helped her through a difficult time.
“Being home was a difficult time for me because no one knew I was transitioning at the time and I had hormones that were driving me crazy.”
But Kirstie and Jessica bonded after she took her under her wing and let her try on all of her heels.
Jessica said: “Kirstie had brought loads of pairs of Manolos and she let me try them on and run around the house all of them, but it never got televised.
Last picture: It was announced on Monday that Kirstie had died at the age of 71 after a brief battle with cancer. She was last pictured during an Instagram video on September 8 promoting work on Cameo
Heartbreaking: The star’s family issued a statement on Instagram on Monday following the death
“She was really there for me and was a very positive person.”
Jessica continued; “Jessica was a very clean lady with high standards and she once let me clean the house with Listerine mouthwash because there were no cleaning products.
Their bond was strengthened when Jessica did Kirstie’s hair and makeup and she looked so gorgeous.
Jessica said: “She might have been a big Hollywood star, but she was very down to earth and wise.
“But she showed me pictures of all the monkeys and wild birds that she had at her home in LA. She had to have a special license to do it, 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 has sent her lover to Kirstie’s family – the actress, who was pictured with her adopted children, William True and Lillie Price, in 2010