Diksia.com - Gemma Owen is a name that many people recognize, not only because she is the daughter of former Premier League footballer Michael Owen, but also because she was one of the stars of Love Island Season 8. The 20-year-old international dressage rider and business owner entered the villa on Day 1 and was crowned the runner-up alongside Luca Bish on Day 58.
Gemma won over the viewers with her classic style, bubbly personality, and genuine connection with Luca. She also proved to be a loyal friend, a supportive partner, and a fierce competitor. But what do we know about Gemma Owen beyond the villa? What does she do now, after the show? And what happened to her and Luca after they split up? In this article, we will explore the life and career of Gemma Owen, the Love Island runner-up who stole our hearts.
Early Life and Family
Gemma Rose Owen was born on May 1, 2003, in Chester, England. She is the eldest of four children of Michael Owen and Louise Bonsall. Michael Owen is a former professional footballer who played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke City, as well as the England national team. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 and is regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation. Louise Bonsall is a former actress who met Michael Owen when they were both 13 years old. They got married in 2005 and have four children: Gemma, James, Emily, and Jessica.
Gemma grew up in a lavish mansion in Northop, Flintshire, with a swimming pool, a cinema, and a football pitch. She attended the prestigious Queen’s School in Chester, where she excelled academically and socially. She also developed a passion for horses and dressage, a form of competitive riding that involves performing a series of movements with the horse. Gemma started riding at the age of four and soon became a talented and successful dressage rider. She competed in national and international events, winning several medals and trophies. She also owns several horses, including a stallion named OG, which inspired the name of her beachwear brand.
OG Beachwear and PrettyLittleThing
Gemma Owen is not only a skilled dressage rider, but also a savvy businesswoman. She launched her own beachwear brand, OG Beachwear, in 2021, before entering Love Island. The brand offers a range of bikinis, swimsuits, cover-ups, and accessories, designed by Gemma herself. The brand’s motto is “Be Original, Be OG”, reflecting Gemma’s vision of creating unique and stylish pieces that suit different body types and preferences. Gemma wore some of her own designs on Love Island, which boosted the popularity and sales of her brand. She also received support from her father, who promoted her brand on his social media accounts.
After leaving Love Island, Gemma Owen landed a lucrative deal with PrettyLittleThing, one of the leading online fashion retailers in the UK. She became a brand ambassador for PrettyLittleThing and launched her own collection in late 2022. The collection featured a range of show-stopping pieces, inspired by Gemma’s classic style and Love Island experience. The collection included dresses, jumpsuits, tops, skirts, trousers, jackets, and shoes, in various colors, prints, and fabrics. Gemma modeled her collection on her Instagram account, where she has over 2.5 million followers. She also appeared in several promotional videos and events for PrettyLittleThing, alongside other celebrities and influencers.
Love Island Journey
Gemma Owen was one of the original islanders who entered the Love Island villa on Day 1. She was coupled up with Liam by the public, but soon found herself in a love triangle with Davide and Luca. She initially chose Davide, who stole her from Liam, but later switched to Luca, who had a crush on her from the start. Gemma and Luca quickly formed a strong bond and became one of the most popular and stable couples in the villa. They faced several challenges and temptations, such as Casa Amor, recouplings, and public votes, but they always stayed loyal and faithful to each other. They also had fun and romantic moments, such as their lemonade-making date, their hot air balloon date, and their declaration of love.
Gemma and Luca made it to the final of Love Island, where they competed against Amber and Andrew, Tasha and Jacques, and Indiyah and Ikenna. They received a lot of support from the public and their fellow islanders, who praised their genuine and sweet relationship. However, they narrowly missed out on the £50,000 prize, as they were announced as the runner-ups of the season. They left the villa hand in hand, smiling and grateful for their experience and each other.
Split with Luca and Current Status
Gemma Owen and Luca Bish seemed to have a fairy-tale romance on Love Island, but their relationship did not last long after the show. They announced their split in October 2022, just two months after leaving the villa. Gemma broke the news on her Instagram story, saying that they had decided to part ways as friends and that they still had a lot of love and respect for each other. She also thanked the fans for their support and asked for privacy during this difficult time.
Luca was not very happy with the way Gemma announced their breakup, as he claimed that he was not aware of her statement and that he was blindsided by it. He posted his own message on his Instagram story, saying that he was hurt and confused by Gemma’s decision and that he wished they had talked things through before going public. He also said that he still loved Gemma and hoped that they could work things out in the future.
The exact reason for their split is not clear, but some sources suggest that they had different priorities and lifestyles, and that they struggled to cope with the pressure and fame that came with being on Love Island. Gemma later opened up about their breakup in an interview with Goss.ie, saying that they had grown apart and that they were not compatible in the long run. She also said that she had no hard feelings towards Luca and that they were still in touch as friends.
Since their split, Gemma Owen and Luca Bish have moved on with their lives and careers. Gemma has focused on her dressage, her beachwear brand, and her collaboration with PrettyLittleThing. She has also been linked to several other men, such as Adam Collard, another former Love Island contestant, and Billy Brown, a model and influencer. However, she has not confirmed any of these rumors and has maintained that she is single and happy. Luca has also concentrated on his fishmonger business and his social media presence. He has also been spotted with several other women, such as Lacey Edwards, a singer and actress, and Summer Botwe, a model and influencer. However, he has also denied any of these speculations and has stated that he is single and open to love.
Conclusion
Gemma Owen is a young and successful woman who has achieved a lot in her life and career. She is a talented dressage rider, a savvy businesswoman, and a popular reality TV star. She was one of the most memorable contestants on Love Island Season 8, where she met and fell in love with Luca Bish. Although their relationship did not last, they still have a lot of admiration and affection for each other. Gemma Owen is a role model for many young girls and women, who admire her style, personality, and achievements. She is also a fun and friendly person, who loves to have a good time and make people laugh. She is the Love Island runner-up who stole our hearts, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
