Noughties pop star looks unrecognisable 22 years after quitting fame for normal job

NOUGHTIES pop star Sam Bloom looks unrecognisable 22 years after quitting fame for a normal job.

Once the fresh-faced heartthrob of the short-lived group allSTARS, 43-year-old Sam is now living a life far removed from the glitz and glamour of the music industry.

Born in Manchester, Sam initially captured public attention with his boyish charm while playing himself in the ITV music drama STARStreet.

Today, however, his career has taken a sharp turn and fans might barely recognise him as the ambitious entrepreneur and business mogul he has become.

Sam's foray into show business began at the tender age of 13 when he landed a small role in the BBC’s iconic adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, playing the young Wickham.

His English teacher at Cheadle Hulme School spotted his acting potential, setting him on a path to early fame.

But it was his role in allSTARS with bandmates Thaila Zucchi, Ashley Taylor Dawson, Rebecca Hunter and Sandi Lee Hughes that skyrocketed him into the spotlight.

The group’s catchy tunes, vibrant choreography, and TV show endeared them to a legion of teenage fans, even earning them appearances on Top of the Pops and Stars in Their Eyes.

Unfortunately, allSTARS disbanded after just two years under Island Records, leaving Sam at a crossroads.

Their debut self-titled album had only reached 43 in the UK charts and their follow-up, Starstreet: The Music, didn't chart at all.

While his former bandmates explored solo careers or, in Ashley's case, was snapped up by Hollyoaks, he charted an unexpected path that would eventually lead him away from the limelight.

Following the band’s dissolution, Sam dabbled in acting, appearing in shows like The Last Detective and Kerching!, as well as treading the boards in regional theatre productions.

But, by the late 2000s, he began to step away from showbiz entirely, opting instead to focus on the corporate world.

Sam's pivot began with the co-founding of Inspiring Interns, a recruitment agency aimed at helping graduates secure internships and entry-level jobs.

Based in Central London, the company was heralded for its innovative approach to connecting young talent with businesses.

The venture won numerous awards, cementing his status as an entrepreneur to watch.

He then launched GradBay in 2018 alongside childhood friend Ben Hazan.

The platform expanded on his mission to help young professionals by matching Generation Z job seekers with companies ranging from global giants like Unilever and Manchester United to dynamic startups.

GradBay has since facilitated thousands of placements, transforming Sam into a respected figure in the recruitment world.