Gemma Owen was actually offered Love Island when she was just 18 but turned it down-Charlotte Manning-Entertainment – Metro

Gemma Owen has revealed she was previously approached for Love Island ahead of the 2021 series but turned it down. 

The dressage rider, 19, made it to the final of this year’s series of Love Island alongside Luca Bish, 23, where the pair finished as runners-up.

The pair are now enjoying their time together out of the Villa (even though they still aren’t official), but Gemma has told fans things could have been very different.

The teenager was originally offered the chance to be part of the Love Island process last year when she was 18 but decided against it.

In her first YouTube video, she explained why she initially didn’t take on the opportunity, and what swayed her to do it this year.

She shared: ‘I got approached last year and because of my riding, it was my busiest time. 

Gemma gave fans some more goss on her YouTube channel (Picture: YouTube)

‘I went to the European Championships last year, so I was like, no way I was going to take two months out of the summer. 

‘I was still not really feeling it, I’d just set up my business and still wanted to campaign with my riding.’

Gemma and Luca are still going strong (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/Shutterstock)

When Gemma got approached again this year, she was in a different place with her riding campaign, which freed up time to go on the show.

She continued: ‘After a few competitions at the start of the season, my riding wasn’t going to go the way I wanted it to and I pretty much ruled myself out from the season straight away.

Gemma with her horse, Sirius Black (Picture: Instagram/@gemowendressage_)

‘I had to get a few qualifying scores at certain competitions but I didn’t.

‘The more I got into it, the more I got a feel of it, I just loved it and everyone was so lovely. The whole idea, I was like, this is what u[‘m going to be doing in the summer.’

They’re all having plenty of fun outside the villa (Picture: Instagram)

However, it didn’t come without its concerns, as she was worried an appearance on the programme could affect her riding. 

Gemma revealed the questions she had, adding: ’Am I going to be taken seriously again back in the dressage world, am I going to get back to the top? Back to an international level?

More: Trending

‘Secondly, going on a show like that sometimes can have a bit of stigma and labelled with a certain kind of thing, wanted to keep my image very clean and come across very classy.’

But she has no regrets about her time, calling it ’the best summer of my life’ which comes in the same week she signed a mega brand deal with Pretty Little Thing.

Love Island can be streamed in full now on the ITV Hub.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More