With the premiere of Love Island 2022 right around the corner, ITV have been whetting the appetites of audiences with a look inside the all-new villa and, by revealing the first slew of contestants that are set to take part in the much-loved TV show. Amongst them is 19-year-old Gemma Owen, daughter to legendary former professional footballer, Michael Owen.
Having already set off to Mallorca, preparing to enter one of the world’s most famous reality dating shows, Gemma has had her mobile phone taken off her and been sequestered so that she can go into the series without any idea what the outside world thinks of her and her fellow contestants. It also means that when the men enter the villa, it’ll be the first time she’s seen them. Will she find love at first sight?
Gemma is one of four children to Michael Owen and his wife Louise. As the eldest of the group, this marks the first time one of the Owen kids has stepped into the spotlight in such a big way.
No stranger to ambition, she followed in her father's sporting footsteps, albeit in something entirely different to the world of football. Instead, she competes in dressage, after riding horses from a young age. She's even competed internationally for Great Britain on her gelding, Sirius Black, named after the character from the Harry Potter universe.
Then there's the world of business, which she has taken on by launching her line, OG Beachwear. Having come up with some outfits that would be entirely appropriate for Love Island, expect to see her showing off some of her favourite pieces throughout the series; that is of course unless the show’s new sustainability approach means she will have to wear upcycled pieces only.
Ahead of starting the show, Gemma said she was "a relationship type of person", admitting she doesn't "suit the single life." It is perhaps going to take a patient man to keep her interested however, as she said her family would describe her as "very honest and a bit stubborn, straight up and a bit fiery."
"A lot of things give me the ick," Gemma responded when asked about things that would turn her off to a man. "Bad hygiene, someone whose breath smells, their hair isn't nice or they don't look after themselves. A few clothing items can give me the ick, like someone who wears trainers with long socks!"
Any potential romance will be a slow burn, however. Gemma says: "I don't think I fall in love quickly; I think I'm quite slow. I think it takes a while for me to let my guard down."
Her journey is definitely going to be an interesting one; we can’t wait to watch it all go down over the summer of love.
Love Island begins at 9pm on Monday, June 6th, 2022 on ITV2.
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