Chatting with Love Island's Olivia Bowen feels like having a catch-up with a mate. Whenever heat speaks to her – which is pretty often, because she’s one of Love Island’s biggest success stories, both personally and professionally – the 30 year old is always personable and honest. What you see on TV and social media is exactly what you get IRL. Perhaps that’s why Olivia and Alex, her husband of six years, who she met on series two of the dating show, are so popular.
Fast-forward eight years (yes, really!) since she appeared on Love Island, and the funny party girl is now a mum of one – to son Abel, two – and has just moved into her forever home in the heart of the Essex countryside.
The only thing that doesn’t seem to have changed is her and Alex’s relationship. In fact, when we chat to Olivia, she’s just returned from a cinema date as part of Alex’s 34th birthday celebrations. Oh, and she still loves a big night out. It’s just that, nowadays, they happen once a month and she needs three to five business days to recover…
Let’s go back to the beginning. How do you look back at your time on Love Island?
It can sometimes be hard to get our heads around the fact that we met on a reality show called Love Island eight years ago and now we’re married and have a child! We never expected it – it’s just madness. I don’t have time to watch the show every evening now, but I always keep an eye on it, because it has such a special place in our hearts.
What’s been the secret to your success?
I really don’t know. I think some people relate to the story of how we got together and how it wasn’t plain sailing at first, but now there’s a happy ending. I don’t feel special, so I guess it’s just one of those things. I think it’s about being your authentic self, because people can recognise that.
Does having fans love you and Alex as a couple put pressure on your relationship?
We think it’s sweet, and a nice thing. And we’re just so happy with each other that it doesn’t bother us, I guess if we weren’t, then it might be tricky.
Your love story played out on TV – will you show Abel eventually?
I feel like we might have to censor some scenes, but when he’s the right age to understand the situation, I will definitely let him watch clips. And then when he’s 18, if he chooses to watch the whole thing, then that’s his choice. We want to be the kind of parents who can have open conversations with Abel about everything – I want to be the person who he comes to for advice. I’ll always be ready for him to ask me questions about Love Island and why strangers seem to know who we are.
How do you think you’ve changed since becoming a mum?
I’ve changed in that someone else comes first now. When you’re in a couple and you’ve only got yourselves to worry about, the way that you live your life is very different. Alex and I were always at events and on holidays, but now there’s a little person who relies on us. I’ve learned to put someone else first and have a lot of patience. I’m fully in my mum era now.
What’s it been like watching Alex become a dad? How has he changed?
I think he would say himself that he never had much patience before. He jokes he still doesn’t, but he does. And he’s just so good with Abel – he’s such a great dad and it’s so nice to see. I think it’s because he’s a bit of a kid himself.
Do you find it tricky switching between work-mode and mum-mode?
I am who I am, I don’t change depending on who I’m with. I guess the only thing is that I do talk in a baby voice to Abel and call him “Pops” and “Baby”, so I’ll try not do that to you.
Is Pops Abel’s nickname?
Yeah. I don’t know why. I think I called him “Poppit”, then “Popsicle”, and that eventually became “Pops”. It was even “Pop, Lock and Drop it” once, but that’s taking it too far!
Who does Abel take after more – you or Alex?
He’s very sporty, which comes from Alex, because I’m not at all. I horse ride, but that’s about as far as my athletic talents go.
He seems to take after you with his love of animals, though...
I really hope so. We sadly lost our dog Reggie recently, but he absolutely loves our other dog Winnie – they’ve really become like two little best friends since Reggie’s gone. I think he was only five days old when he met my horse Dolly, as well.
Has he started riding yet?
He has. He’s been around horses from day dot really, so he isn’t scared at all. He gets on his little pony called Sausage, and I’ve taught him to click his tongue and he hits his legs against her side and clicks his tongue for her to go faster. He’s only two.
It sounds like you’ve got a protégé there…
Maybe he’ll be a showjumper. I’m not sure I want him to race horses, because I did that and it was scary.
Is it important to you that you’re raising Abel in the countryside around animals and nature?
Oh, hugely. I grew up where we live now and I want to expose him to the same childhood that I had. I feel like it teaches him a sense of responsibility and to look after something other than himself. Plus, I couldn’t ever live anywhere else, honestly. I’ve got my horses and Alex just loves the local pubs, so it suits us down to the ground.
Are you treated like a celebrity in your local?
No, they don’t care at all. Alex and I can sit and drink our pints with the landlord and it’s perfect. I’m a country bumpkin at heart.
You recently moved house. How is the new place?
We’re so happy in the new place. We loved our old home, but it just didn’t work for our family lifestyle. After having Abel, we realised we needed to move somewhere that had access to parks and pubs and restaurants, and had a community. I love that it was a self-build, as well – we designed the whole thing, so it feels like we were always meant to live here.
Would you ever consider flipping houses for a living?
We actually do have two houses that we’ve renovated and let out, and we’re looking to buy another one on auction this year. It’s something that we’ve been doing for a couple of years now and I absolutely love it.
That sounds like a reality show in the making – would you ever do another one about your life?
If it revolved around property, then maybe. I think we’re such a chilled family that any other kind of reality show would be quite boring. We just go to the park and Abel plays on the swings 24 hours a day.
How has becoming parents changed your relationship?
It’s obviously hard, especially in the early days when you’re so tired, but I think when you get past that year mark, you really start to appreciate each other again. We actively try to make time for each other with things like date nights.
And do you get all dressed up for date night?
Sometimes. I’m an all-or –nothing type girl. I’m either a complete slob or fake tanned to the max – I use Cocoa Brown’s one-hour self-tan mousse, which smells amazing – and have my nails and lashes done. It’s a nice thing to make it a more special moment.
You turned 30 this year. Do your thirties feel any different to your twenties?
I’m quite childish, honestly, so I don’t think I’ve changed that much. I just feel very happy in myself and am trying to do more things for myself like keeping fit and going to the gym. I think when you turn 30, you feel a bit more secure in yourself.
Is that just something that comes with time or have you worked hard at that?
I think it’s a time thing and I think it’s a motherhood thing. I think you want to be fit and healthy for your child, especially because you have to run after them every two seconds.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Enjoy the nights out with no hangover, because they come at you fast when you’re this age! I really enjoyed my twenties – coming out of Love Island, we were very lucky to experience so much.
How long does it take to recover now?
It’s like three to five business days. When I’m hungover, it just writes off the week.
So, you don’t have a failsafe cure?
I don’t. I can’t help you! Nowadays, I’ve got to eat lots of carbs and drink lots of water, then I might be ready to have a beer if I’m lucky.
Is there anything still on the bucket list when it comes to your career?
That house-flipping reality show sounds like a great idea! I’d also love to write a book one day.
What about personally? Could a second child be on the cards?
We’d absolutely love to have another baby – it’s something we talk about a lot. I’m just not sure when. Time will tell.
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