She seemed to live a charmed life when she was thrust into the spotlight on ITV2 reality show Love Island and landed on her feet with a presenting and fashion gig.
But Montana Brown has spoken of the hidden heartache in her teens, which shaped her school years and her approach to life.
Admitting that she had ‘never been so nervous’, the 22-year-old reality star addressed MPs at the House Of Commons in London on Wednesday to speak about the sudden and unexpected death of her school friend Harry to raise awareness of cardiac arrest in the young.
Raising awareness: Montana Brown (right) was out of her comfort zone on Wednesday when she was invited to speak about the loss of her school friend Harry Faulkner (left), in 2013 when they were aged just 17
The brunette, who has landed an MTV News hosting gig and a clothing line with PrettyLittleThing since Love Island, was supporting the charity CRY as she bravely paid tribute to 17-year-old Harry who died in 2013 following a cardiac arrest.
Cardiac Risk in the Young supports those affected by young, sudden cardiac death and helps fund the research.
When she was 17, Montana lost her auntie Rachel to breast cancer as well as her cousin Christopher and her friend Harry in the space of two months.
Still in mourning for her cousin, Montana was at a funeral when she received a phonecall to say that their classmate, with whom she’d chatted only the day before, had passed away.
Using her profile for good: The Love Island reality star was invited to the House of Commons in London to address MPs about a campaign for CRY charity (Cardiac Risk in the Young) on behalf of Harry, who died suddenly after a cardiac arrest
Not her usual scene: The ITV2 reality star admitted that many would not believe there were ‘bumps’ in her charmed life
‘I felt so broken and perplexed,’ she said. ‘At the time, I remember feeling so much guilt, because in my head Harry was honestly the most selfless and admirable person I knew at school.’
She added: ‘I couldn’t get to grips with why something like this would ever happen to a boy like Harry.’
Internalising her struggle, Montana admits she found it difficult to return to school and says that everything reminded her she would never hear her friend’s voice again.
‘My whole body ended up in shock,’ she continued. ‘I used to wake up every morning with a rash from head to toe, because I was in such a fight with myself about whether or not it was real life.’
Being serious: She showed her silly side inside the historic building when she shared a post to Instagram afterwards, joking about ‘trying to be serious’
Support: Montana was supported by her mother Sarah (left) and best friend Hannah Bower (right) at the event, where Harry’s family were also in attendance
She concluded: ‘A charity like CRY could have helped me so very much when I was in my teens.
‘I hope this gives children and adults a place to go and talk about their feelings and speak to professionals to help them through the torment that so many people have go through on their own.’
The charity helps families like Harry’s – who were in the audience to see Montana address MPs – as well as young people come to terms with the death, with counselling and support.
Montana has joined forces with CRY to raise the profile of cardiac risk in the young with a new campaign called #CRY4friends.
Nervous: Following the speech, Montana admitted, ‘I’ve ever been so nervous’
The campaign highlights the grief felt by young people when they experience the death of a friend. CRY is encouraging people to share their memories and photos of their friends & to talk openly about their feelings.
As such, Montana shared her own picture with Harry on Twitter last Tuesday, telling her 254k followers: ‘I lost my friend Harry and this would have been a great help at the time for me.’
Proud of her speech, Montana also posted an update to Instagram afterwards, admitting that she was struck by stage fright.
She wrote: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous than to do a speech at the House of Commons speaking about CRY. Wish me luck…’
Alongside it, she posted a cheeky picture from inside the House Of Commons and wrote: ‘Here’s me attempting to be serious…’
Demure: Her sophisticated shirt and black dress combo was more demure than usual