Who is Lily Bellerose? An exclusive interview with the new head of Vanity
It’s rare for a journalist to realize she’s captured a revolutionary moment, but following the saga of Vanity has definitely been revolutionary. After Vanessa Ivy was arrested for the murder of her late partner Marion Bellerose along with embezzlement of the company’s funds, I knew I had to get a word from the living victim of Ivy’s crimes: Lily Bellerose herself.
Now leading Vanity with the help of Ivy’s ex-assistant Karen McClaren, Lily graciously found the time to talk to me about everything that has happened since she found out Marion Bellerose was her mother. And don’t worry, readers, I made sure to ask the most important question - what’s next for Vanity?
So who is Lily Bellerose? The little we knew about her a month ago was really Lily MacKenzie, the girl who had no idea her mother was the late Marion Bellerose. Lily stumbled over the question - “I’m still getting used to the name.” At this point, Lily has dropped the state-appointed MacKenzie moniker and embraced her mother’s last name.
She’s more than earned the name, after all. In talking about whether or not the name change, and what it means, has changed her as a person, Lily was quick to answer. “Of course it has. I’ve had to grow up pretty quickly.” And grown up she has. She was dressed to the nines for our interview, with a bold red lip (which I can always appreciate), a clear message to the world that this is Lily Bellerose, and she’s here to stay.
Is she proud of this new her? Is she happy with Lily Bellerose? Yes, Lily admits. Despite all of the changes, “I still feel like me.”
Though I knew it would be a sensitive subject, I had to ask about Vanessa Ivy, who was arrested for the murder of Marion Bellerose and embezzlement of company funds (alongside business partner Alistair Carlton). Was she happy that the woman who took her mother away forever was going away for good?
Happy, according to Lily, wasn’t the right word. She preferred “content.” Why that word? Her answer pulled me up short, and made me truly see this new Lily for the first time.
“I feel sorry for Vanessa.”
You read that correctly. Upon further prodding, Lily admitted she had not decided whether or not she forgave Vanessa, but that she was sorry “because of what [Vanessa] felt she had to do.” A glisten in her eyes (hiding tears?), she continued: “I think she knew my mother loved her very much. And what she felt she had to do truly broke her heart. Marion was like a mother to her in many ways.”
Lily Bellerose is no longer the 19-year-old kid who scored an internship with her late mother’s partner. She’s a woman, and that answer alone is more mature and wise than many of those we’ve heard from the adults affected by Marion’s tragedy.
After her unceremonious exit from Vanity post-coffee meltdown, Lily rehired and promoted Vanessa Ivy’s ex-assistant Karen McClaren to manager of the company. Lily thinks of it has a restart.
And now for the all-important question. What’s next for Vanity?
Lily isn’t candid about her dreams. Vanity was her mother’s company, she says, started with her line. What’s next? “I want to continue her work.” Though the task seems enormous after everything that’s happened, Lily isn’t intimidated.
When asked about Marion’s legacy, and all that that entails, Lily explains that she’s “learned to accept it. My mother wasn’t perfect. But she was my mother. I will always cherish the time we had together.”
Lily smiles. “That’s my mom.”
It definitely seems like Lily Bellerose is ready to take on the world her mother left too soon. As we wait for the reveal of the brand new Vanity, I think we too should take a moment to reflect on what has happened in our industry in the past year.
Though Marion Bellerose wasn’t alive to see it, I think she earned the immortality she promised us. It’s up to her daughter to make sure it lasts.
