Amber Gill, the winner of Love Island, expressed relief at stepping back from the spotlight following her time on the popular reality TV show. She emerged victorious in season five alongside her former partner Greg O’Shea, who she was coupled up with alongside other contestants like Tommy Fury, Molly-Mae Hague, and Maura Higgins.
After parting ways with Greg a mere five weeks after their triumph, Amber humorously dubbed herself the “first solo winner of Love Island.” Reflecting on her journey on the podcast Just Existing, Amber shared her struggles with the sudden fame post-show. Despite amassing over two million followers, she found herself under immense pressure to churn out content, despite lacking prior experience.
The overwhelming demands left her questioning her social media metrics, with Amber revealing, “It was getting to the point where I was getting like 900,000 likes on an Instagram photo which is insane and I was still thinking, ‘Why is it not a million? How come I only got 2000 comments and why not 3000?'”
Acknowledging the need for a break to gain perspective, Amber admitted, “I kind of felt like I needed to have a bit of a fall off just to have a reality check and be grateful for what’s going on around us.” The period following the show was marked by discomfort and anxiety for her.
Coming to terms with the pressures of maintaining an online presence, Amber emphasized the constant scrutiny and need to uphold a positive image. Since her Love Island stint, she ventured into the fashion industry with a clothing line in collaboration with Misspap. Additionally, she co-authored the book “Until I Met You,” a narrative centered around a Black love story, aiming to fill the representation gap she felt growing up. The book was released in July 2022.
The 27-year-old from Newcastle is gearing up to launch her second fictional novel, “One Summer in Miami,” where she delves into themes of queer joy, significant life lessons, and the value of therapy in her personal growth.
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