Jazz Saunders is the first lesbian to feature on Made In Chelsea, and she’s thriving in her queerness since coming out
BY HONOR WOLSTENCROFT, IMAGE BY CHANNEL 4
When you think of a Chelsea lifestyle, the first things that probably come to mind are Land Rovers, coffee catch-ups in the Bluebird cafe, and exclusive parties with the hottest and poshest people in town. From gilets to horse racing, Chelsea’s culture is unwaveringly aimed at straight people.
For 31 seasons, Made in Chelsea (MIC) has given us insight into the romances and heartbreaks among SW4’s most attainable and affluent straight couples. Except for a few gay storylines between men, the show has never covered a lesbian love story. But then, Jazz Saunders stepped on the scene and everything changed for good.
Calling from the poolside of a Moroccan all-inclusive hotel, Jazz’s effervescent personality immediately transpired through the phone. For a 24-year-old whose sexuality has consistently been spotlighted and discussed by the public eye and media, her self-assurance and confidence are refreshing.
“All my friends, my mum and my entire family found out I was dating a girl through the press,” Jazz said, after her first queer relationship made headlines in 2025. “It didn’t feel like a blessing in the moment, but it accelerated the process of coming out for me.”
The ex-tennis player first identified as bisexual on MIC before openly coming out as a lesbian during season 29, which aired after the press exposed her relationship. It was the first time a lesbian had featured as a main, recurring figure on the hit reality series, which first aired in 2011.
“I didn’t think it would impact so many people. Knowing that people watching can resonate and feel seen and heard makes me feel so much better about the shit in my life, because I know that I’m helping other people.”
Jazz came out on the show to her three friends in an emotional scene whilst away filming in Mauritius. Despite the toxic stigma that swirls around reality television production, Jazz couldn’t praise her experience on the show enough.
“There was no pressure from production,” Jazz revealed. “I told one producer, and he was like ‘If you want to talk about it, the option is there, but if you don’t feel comfortable, then of course we’re not going to pressure you’.”
“I knew that if I didn’t do it now, then I was never going to speak into existence. And it was the best thing I have ever done,” Jazz said, clearly smiling on the other end of the phone.
Since coming out, Jazz has embraced being part of the LGBTQIA+ community and judging by the radiant glow that beams out of her selfies on Instagram, it’s clear she’s thriving.
“I didn’t have any gay friends before I came out. But since being single, I’ve definitely stepped outside of my comfort zone and have made a lot of queer friends, and I feel like that’s really important.”
Jazz describes Freya Evans, the founder of the Lesbian Supper Club (LSC), as her “gay fairy godmother”, and the LSC events that take place across London have been essential for her queer liberation.
“Freya introduced me to her wider friendship group, and I’ve been going to the LSC events. It’s such a great way to meet people, but it’s so daunting!” Jazz laughs.
“I avoided them for so long because I was so scared, but when I did eventually go, it was the best, and I had so much fun. Having that tight-knit sense of a queer community is so great, especially in the bubble of Chelsea, where not everyone might understand me.”
Now, in her newfound sense of affirmed confidence within her identity, Jazz reflects on the importance of Lesbian Visibility Week.
“Being a part of a show where the audience is predominantly straight, this week is really important to educate people around stereotypes and open up conversations on queer relationships,” Jazz said.
“Right now, it’s getting better and better, but I still certainly don’t feel understood by some people, but I also know I won’t always feel completely understood.”
“Giving a platform to visibility and positive representation can really affect people in a good way, especially with their sense of belonging and mental health. When I was closeted, seeing forms of representation really helped me.”
Want to see Jazz’s queer storyline unfold? Tune into Made in Chelsea every Monday at 9 pm on Channel 4.
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