Lottie Ryan has hit back at those who criticise her, following a “difficult” year for her personally.
The presenter has admitted she dealt with some bumps in the road in 2023, which left her feeling like she needed “a bit of breathing space”.
During an interview with RSVP, the mother-of-one confessed: “I didn’t love 2023, I’m not going to lie.”
“I’m putting all my eggs in the basket of 2024, it’s going to be my year.”
“I’m hoping it will be a big year for the podcast and we’d love to do some wild nights out for parents with live shows,” she continued, referring to the parenting podcast she hosts with Jennifer Zamparelli.
“I’d also like to do more TV, but I’m loath to mention any particular shows because when you pin your hopes on things and it doesn’t work out, it’s too upsetting. I want a really happy and positive year with good vibes.
When asked to share the hardest part of 2023, Lottie said: “When you have one or two bumps in the road it can be easy to deal with. But when you have a number of bumps that happen in close succession, that’s tough.”
“For me, I had bumps in close succession in 2023 and I found that difficult. I had them on top of learning to be a mum and dealing with work and my career,” she explained.
“I needed a bit of breathing space. I’m looking forward to a bit of positivity.”
Last summer, Lottie was ordered to remove an ad for a car company on her Instagram feed, after it was filmed on RTÉ’s campus without permission.
Brand deals between RTÉ talent and other companies have been subject to intense scrutiny ever since the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal hit headlines last year.
While the deals are separate to RTÉ contracts, it’s understood they have to be approved by a line manager at the state broadcaster.
According to the Irish Independent, the video showed Lottie promoting a €50,000 Toyota car.
It was filmed at the back of the RTÉ Radio building, and even featured the RTÉ logo on a sign for a car charging point.
It’s understood the video was removed from Lottie’s Instagram feed after RTÉ was contacted for a comment on the clip.
A spokesperson said at the time: “Permission was not given by RTÉ to Lottie Ryan for the filming or for the post in question. RTÉ has comprehensive social media guidelines that all employees – staff and contractors – are contractually obliged to adhere to.”
“This matter has been addressed with her by management. The post has been taken down,” they added.
When asked how she responds to negative headlines about herself, Lottie told RSVP: “I genuinely mean it when I say, I’m actually very good when it comes to negative headlines.”
“I only care about the opinions of my family and friends. If I cared about the opinions of a load of people I don’t know, I would have been in a coffin a long time ago.”
“Unless it’s something that’s deeply upsetting for my family, you have to take things with a pinch of salt.”
In general, Lottie said she doesn’t care what critics have to say about her, particularly since becoming a mother.
The RTÉ star welcomed her first child, a son named Wolf, with her husband Fabio Aprile in 2021.
“Maybe you don’t care as much about yourself when you’re a mother. It’s very tiring caring so much about what other people think and always trying to be careful about this, that and the other,” she explained.
“I got to a point where I just stopped caring and like it or lump it, this is me. Living more openly and honestly is easier for me.”
