Wayne and Coleen Rooney have opened up about their family life, public scrutiny, and the motivations behind their new reality series, The Real Rooneys, which premiered on Disney+ on September 24. The show blends elements of family reality programming with insights into Coleen’s emerging fashion career and Wayne’s personal history.
In an interview, Wayne Rooney reflected on misconceptions early in his career, particularly rumors that he struggled with literacy. “When I signed for Everton at 16, there were stories in newspapers claiming I couldn’t read or write, which was not true,” he said. He attributed such labels to his lack of formal education, having not taken GCSEs, but noted that many people eventually saw beyond those false assumptions. Despite public perception, Rooney expressed a strong interest in learning, shaped in part by playing in diverse, multicultural environments. “I was always curious and wanted to engage in conversations about different cultures and beliefs,” he said.
Coleen Rooney discussed how her assertiveness has strengthened, particularly following the high-profile legal dispute known as the “Wagatha Christie” case. She exposed a source leaking private stories by posting false information on her Instagram account, restricting access so that only Rebekah Vardy could view it. After a lengthy court battle, Mrs Justice Steyn ruled in Coleen’s favor, determining her claims about Vardy’s involvement to be “substantially true.” Vardy was ordered to pay 90% of the £1.8 million legal costs, ultimately agreeing to pay approximately £1.4 million. Coleen emphasized that the court ruling did not grant her any winnings but rather a partial recovery of legal fees, pushing back against public suggestions to donate the money to charity.
The couple described their approach to parenting and family values, highlighting efforts to keep their children grounded despite their privileged lifestyle. They encourage their sons to maintain close ties with extended family, who still live in Croxteth, Liverpool, and to experience everyday activities such as biking in their local neighborhood. Wayne also underscored the importance of educating their children about history, recounting a family trip to Poland that included a visit to Auschwitz, which was part of their son Kit’s school curriculum on World War II.
On the subject of public perception, Coleen expressed discomfort with the “Wag” label, critiquing its reductive stereotype. Both she and Wayne described their social circle, naming former Manchester United teammates with whom Wayne maintains friendships.
Regarding the reality series, the Rooneys said they were motivated by a desire to present an authentic portrayal of their lives amid constant media speculation. The show records over a year in their lives, including candid moments of tension and difficult decisions. “We wanted it to be real,” Coleen said, acknowledging that not all conflicts were easy to capture or resolve on camera. Wayne acknowledged that the series reflects the universal ups and downs experienced by many married couples.
While the couple confirmed they were paid for their participation—reports suggest a deal worth around £10 million—they stressed that financial gain was not the primary motivation. Instead, they sought to demonstrate that despite their public profiles, their family remains grounded and relatable. Wayne summarized, “People will see that, even after everything we’ve been through, we still know where our roots are.”