Amber Gill has become one of Love Island’s biggest success stories since winning the show with Irish rugby player Greg O’Shea five years ago. Her recent Channel 4 reality show, The Underdog: Josh Must Win, proved a huge hit; she’s just released second novel One Summer In Miami; and she’s achieved a major life goal by launching her swimwear range Wet Wknd, which has been gracing beaches across the globe.
When we catch up, the 26 year old is as smiley and unguarded as ever, talking about her relationship status, body confidence, and how her ADHD diagnosis changed her life. She also reveals why she thinks Joey Essex’s appearance in this year’s Love Island was a big mistake. Controversial…
You’ve just released your second book. Does it feel different this time around?
I probably enjoyed this one a bit more, because the first one felt quite daunting and scary. It’s not a follow-on from the first one, but it has some of the same characters. It’s a queer love story about two girls that are in Miami, one of them is visiting and one of them lives there, and she works as a DJ. I don’t want to give too much away, but they have a lovely summer going to different locations and partying. I think I’m more confident with this book because I know people enjoyed Until I Met You.
Was the story inspired by anything you’ve been through?
I pluck inspiration from lots of different things. I try not to base the characters on me, although they may have similar personality traits, hair, or skin colour. You don’t often get the opportunity to run wild with all your crazy ideas, and that’s when I can. So, I steer away from taking inspiration from my own life. I want my character’s lives to be more exciting than mine!
And how is your love life at the moment?
Well, I’m single, but I’m enjoying my life. I’m doing so much really fun work and travelling that I’m just not interested. As I’ve gotten older, I feel like I’ve become younger, which sounds weird. I’m like a baby. When I was 21, I wanted to be in a relationship, but now, I’m like, “Oh my god, I’m too young!” Like, I need to just enjoy myself. And that’s what I’m doing, basically.
Did you watch the latest series of Love Island?
I didn’t, but not for any particular reason – it’s just a big commitment of time, isn’t it? I didn’t want to get too invested because I’m rushing around a lot travelling, but I did sort of keep tabs on what was happening. I know that Joey Essex was on the show, and that Mimii and Josh won, and I’m so happy for them.
Did you think putting Joey Essex into the villa was a good idea?
No! I think that it changed the dynamic of the show, and I liked it the way it was. It felt a bit off. You had this really big personality in there, and obviously, the others didn’t have experience in reality television. It made the dynamic a bit funny. I don’t know how much I would have enjoyed it if it was my season, because I think it became sort of Joey’s show rather than being about the couples. All the stuff I heard was about Joey Essex, and I was a bit like, “Is there anyone else in this villa or just him?”
You worked with Vicky Pattison, Nick Grimshaw and Pete Wicks on The Underdog. Was it a laugh?
I had the most fun. It was a ridiculous concept, which is why I said yes to it straightaway. I love anything that is just a bit silly. I absolutely loved the team. Nick, Pete and Vicky were the best. We’re four very different people, but we all got on and worked together so well. It’s always nice to work on something new, and it was exciting to be on the first season because we didn’t have anything to work from, and we could just go for it. The feedback I get from people who watched the show is that it was like we were all obsessed with each other – we literally are.
How’s your swimwear range going?
A lot goes into it, but it’s taught me so many lessons, and it’s going really well. It’s a great product, and I love wearing it. I wanted to bring out something that was super-inclusive, but also really good quality. I think swimwear is overlooked. You either have a piece of string, or you’re paying £200 for a swimsuit, which is unrealistic for many people. I wanted to make something high-quality and affordable that’s also flattering. Sometimes I pick up bikinis and there are 45 million strings and I’m like, “How do I put it on? And where’s the coverage?” I really wanted to do passion projects this year, and swimwear is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s not about making loads of money, it’s about something I wanted to see in the market.
Where are you on the body confidence scale at the moment?
I’m just like any normal person, and I go through waves. Sometimes, I’m obsessed with myself, and other times, I don’t feel as great, just like everyone, I guess. I wouldn’t really say I’m into body positivity, more like body neutrality, where you don’t have to be like, “Oh my god, my body is amazing”. It’s more like, “This is my body, and it looks like this, and it does the job, and I like it, and that’s that.” As long as I’m just looking after myself, working out and feeding my body in the right way, I’m happy. I don’t have to be skinniest or anything like that.
What’s your exercise routine like?
I’ve always been quite active, but I’ve got certain sports that I love. I love playing tennis and I’ve got a tennis coach. I love boxing, and I’ve got a boxing coach, who I do PT with, as well. I also love Pilates. People assume boxing is the hardest thing to do, but nothing gets my legs shaking like Reformer Pilates. It’s crazy. I feel like the strongest person in the world after I’ve done it. Boxing makes me a better person because of the energy expenditure. I’m the calmest person and nothing can shake me after I’ve done boxing, no matter how bad my day is.
What’s your number-one rule when it comes to exercise?
As long as I’m having fun, that’s my main thing when it comes to working out. I never want it to feel like I have to drag myself to do something I don’t enjoy but feel like I have to. I don’t think we should push ourselves to do things we don’t like just because other people are doing them.
Aside from boxing, what helps you with your mental health?
I’ve done therapy consistently for two years, and that’s always a really good thing. Just to have that outlet for an hour every week. I’ve always got the same slot and can talk about anything I want to, so that’s probably my number one thing. Especially because I have ADHD. I find that having a routine in the morning and evening helps. It’s not a strict one, but it’s something that sets me up for the day in the morning and then sets me up for the next day in the evening. I use the Headspace app and I love it. Even five or ten minutes every morning helps me to centre myself because I find, especially with social media and work, everything’s very fast-paced, so I don’t get time to just sit and be present. I find that very helpful. And, of course, exercise is always good.
Do you do any other things to manage your ADHD?
I think just having the diagnosis in itself is very beneficial because you know that you’re not just “crazy”. At some points in the past, I thought I was the laziest person in the world, and I was like, “Why are you not doing this thing? You’ve got a deadline, and you’re not hitting it.” Whereas now, I can sort of manage myself a bit better. I know that you have these executive dysfunction days where you just can’t do something. I can plan my life around it now rather than beating myself up and feeling embarrassed about it. I can manage everything a lot better, and I do take medication, as well, which is super-helpful. I also drink a lot of water. Apparently, people with ADHD need to drink more water than the average human being.
Are you kinder to yourself as a result of your diagnosis?
I am. I’m not so hard on myself because I’m not constantly thinking, “What the hell is wrong with me?” I didn’t actually want to talk about it with other people, especially people that don’t have ADHD, because I thought it sounded like I was making it up. Having a diagnosis just makes you more confident in yourself and able to monitor yourself. I think one thing about mental health that’s really important is knowing yourself and managing yourself by doing whatever works for you. Figure it out, and then carry on doing that, and remember to give yourself a pat on the back when you’re doing well.
What are your plans for the future?
I made a hit list at the beginning of the year, and I think that I’ve pretty much done all the things that I set out to do. So, now it’s about having fun, you know? I’m learning that sometimes it’s not always about hitting goals all the time. It’s nice to be present in the moment and enjoy things, and not always striving for more. I look back at what I’ve done, and I’m like, “God, you really didn’t take stock of what was happening because you were always ‘What’s next?’” I’m trying to enjoy the moment right now, but I do know I’ll be writing another hit list at some point!