Zara McDermott already has TV documentaries and a stint on Strictly under her belt – now she’s venturing into fashion with a new range
WORDS SHELLEY SPADONI PHOTOS: OWEN JAMES VINCENT/REVAMP MAGAZINE, REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
Zara McDermott has come a very long way since we first met her on the 2018 series of Love Island. Happily loved-up and living in London with her boyfriend, I’m A Celeb winner and former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, 31, she has proved she is far more than a pretty face, forging an incredible new career making hard-hitting TV documentaries, about everything from eating disorders to revenge porn.
And the former government advisor has just added another string to her bow, with the launch of her own clothing range, Rise – which is already a sell-out. At just 27, it seems she has the world at her feet.
Here, Zara opens up to OK! about life with Sam, how inspired she is by his brave sister, Louise, and the reality show she would love to get her teeth stuck into...
Hi, Zara. How are you and Sam? You obviously adore each other…
I’m great – and yes, we do. We laugh a lot, that’s so important for our relationship, especially after a crappy day. It’s that level of understanding and empathy for each other – we’re not selfish. We’re both so busy – we have an unconventional life at times. I might ask Sam if we can do dinner in a couple of days and he’ll be like, “I might be in Plymouth that night, I’m doing something for the radio show…” or I’m like, “I’m off to Ibiza for some filming.”
You’re very different. You’re quite calm and Sam seems like an excitable puppy…
Oh, I know. Can you imagine Sam with another version of Sam? It would be pure chaos. You know what, though, the biggest thing I’ve learned from Sam is not to take yourself too seriously. When I first met him, I was more worried about how I looked, who I was. He’s made me feel more comfortable in not always being so sure about everything, about having a laugh at yourself. He’s also taught me about walking into a room and being confident. He’s really good at that, whereas I’d have always clammed up and been petrified about talking to anyone.
And what would you say you bring to the relationship?
I’d say I’m the voice of reason. With all of Sam’s emotional highs, come some lows as well. I’m like the constant – in the middle – the person that reminds him when he feels things are bad that th
