Early Life and Education
Zara McDermott was born on December 14, 1996, in Havering, England. She grew up in Upminster, where she faced challenges, including instances of bullying during her school years.
McDermott was born on 14 December 1996 in the London Borough of Havering, England to Alan and Karen McDermott.[1][2][3] In 2009, McDermott, her parents and her younger brother Brad appeared on the BBC television series Wanted Down Under, where they considered moving to Australia.[4] They featured on the show again in 2013, on Wanted Down Under: Revisited, which saw the family discuss why they decided to remain in the United Kingdom. She discussed both incidents in her BBC documentary, Revenge Porn.[7]
McDermott previously worked for the Department for Education as a policy advisor.[8][9]
In May 2019, McDermott began dating television personality Sam Thompson.[10][11][12] The pair split in 2024.[13
Rise to Fame: Love Island Journey & reality television
Zara first came into the public eye in 2018 as a contestant on the fourth series of the reality dating show Love Island. She entered the villa on Day 15 and quickly became a fan favorite, coupling up with Adam Collard. Although she was dumped from the island on Day 25, her appearance on the show propelled her into the world of British reality television.
In June 2018, McDermott became a contestant on the fourth series of Love Island.[14] She entered the villa as a “bombshell” contestant on Day 15 and coupled up with Adam Collard, before being dumped from the villa ten days later.[15] In October 2019, McDermott took part in The X Factor: Celebrity as part of No Love Lost, a group which featured her Love Island co-stars Eyal Booker, Samira Mighty and Wes Nelson.[16] They were mentored by Louis Walsh and finished in eighth place. The same month, McDermott began appearing as a cast member on the E4 reality series Made in Chelsea, alongside Thompson.[17] She made her last appearance on the show in December 2020.[18]
Transition into Television and Modeling
Following Love Island, Zara leveraged her newfound fame to build a career in television and modeling. In 2019, she appeared on The X Factor: Celebrity and later joined the cast of Made in Chelsea, solidifying her place in the entertainment industry. Her social media presence also grew, leading to various brand collaborations and influencer opportunities.
Documentary Filmmaking and Social Advocacy
Zara shifted gears from reality TV to serious documentary work, tackling significant social issues. She presented a series of hard-hitting documentaries for the BBC, including:
- “Revenge Porn” (2021) – Exploring the devastating impact of revenge porn, inspired by her own experiences.
- “Uncovering Rape Culture” (2021) – Investigating rape culture in modern society and discussing the importance of consent education.
- “Disordered Eating” (2022) – Highlighting the struggles of those suffering from eating disorders and challenging misconceptions about the issue.
Her work in documentaries showcased her ability to address critical social issues with sensitivity and depth, marking a significant shift from her reality TV past.
Strictly Come Dancing and Career Growth
In 2023, Zara made history as the first Love Island alum to compete on Strictly Come Dancing. Her participation in the show not only demonstrated her versatility but also boosted her financial success, with reports indicating her net worth more than doubled within a year.
She continued to produce impactful content with documentaries such as:
- “Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge” (2023)
- “The Idaho Murders: Trial by TikTok” (2024)
- “Inside Ibiza” (2024)
These projects further cemented her reputation as a serious documentary presenter in British media.
Personal Life and Public Relationships
Zara’s personal life has often been a topic of public discussion. She was in a relationship with Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson from 2019 until their split in 2024.
Conclusion: A Versatile and Resilient Media Personality
From a policy advisor to a reality TV star and now a respected documentary presenter, Zara McDermott has successfully navigated multiple career paths. Her dedication to raising awareness about social issues through her documentaries demonstrates her depth and commitment beyond entertainment. As she continues to evolve in the industry, her influence and impact remain strong.
Documentaries and Strictly Come Dancing
McDermott admitted that she had felt like the least successful person from her series of Love Island and wanted to take an unconventional approach to success. After departing from Made in Chelsea, she explained that she wanted to move on from short-term brand deals and reality television to focus on making documentaries.[21][22] In March 2022, McDermott presented the dating series Love in the Flesh on BBC Three.[23] The premise of the show featured couples who had only ever spoken online, meeting in person for the first time.[24] In November 2022, she fronted a further documentary, Zara McDermott: Disordered Eating.[25]
In July 2023, McDermott presented the documentary Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge, based on the disappearance and death of teenager Gaia Pope-Sutherland.[26] A month later, she was announced as a contestant on the twenty-first series of Strictly Come Dancing.[27][28] She became the first Love Island cast member to be cast on the series. McDermott was paired with Graziano Di Prima and they were the fifth couple to be eliminated Halloween Week.[29][30] In 2024, she presented for the BBC The Idaho Murders: Trial by TikTok, where she heads to the small town of Moscow, Idaho to find out about the global online manhunt that followed four tragic murders. Also in 2024, she is set to present a four-part documentary series for the BBC titled Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island.[31]
