LOVE Island star Gemma Owen has finally spoken out over her “challenging” break-up with villa boyfriend Luca Bish.
The 19-year-old, who is Michael Owen‘s daughter, opened up about the pain of the split at a party.
However, she insisted the Love Island girls she spent the summer with have all been “lovely” in the wake of the break-up.
Gemma was speaking in Ireland at a Christmas party for PrettyLittleThing, the fast-fashion brand she works for.
She told Goss.ie: “These last few weeks, as going through any break-up, it’s not nice. It’s not a nice time.
“Having to deal with the press and other people’s opinions, and people thinking that they know what’s going on when they don’t, that’s been challenging.”
The star added: “But overall, I’m doing OK. I’m getting through it and keeping busy.”
Gemma also praised her Love Island co-stars, saying: “The girls have been lovely.
“Every single one of them has sent me a message, being there, telling me if I never need a call they’ll be there. So that’s really lovely and makes it a bit easier.”
The reality star announced that she and Luca, 23, had split in a message posted on Instagram last month.
It read: “I wanted to let you know that Luca and I are no longer in a relationship. It wasn’t an easy decision but ultimately this is what is best for both of us right now.
“Many of you have been on this journey with us from the beginning and I want to thank you for your continued support as a new chapter starts.”
Luca later released his own statement in which he told fans he’d turned his phone off to make sense of the situation privately.
He added: “We will remain good friends and I wish nothing but the best for her.”
However, an insider insisted he had been “blindsided” by the announcement, saying: “Luca had no idea that Gemma was going to end things.”
In a sign that things may not be entirely amicable, he has now unfollowed Gemma on Instagram – though she still follows him.
His Love Island co-star Davide Sanclimenti has spoken about how hard Luca found the break-up.
The Italian star said last month: “He was not really OK but he is now – and he is getting better.”
Luca and Gemma together at the races a month before they split[/caption]
Gemma Owen at the PrettyLittleThing Christmas Party at Dublin’s Grafton Hotel[/caption]
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