As Love Island’s Gemma Owen is cruelly compared to a ‘fly-tipped mattress’, why insiders fear it’s all over for her

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DRESSED elegantly in a smart tweed jacket alongside her equally well-attired mum, Gemma Owen looks a lifetime away from the fresh-faced, bikini-clad 19-year-old who shot to fame on ITV2 dating show Love Island four years ago.

And as she enters the spotlight once again – this time alongside her family for their very own reality show – Gemma has found herself at the centre of cruel whispers about her lifestyle. Here, insiders told us how the horse-obsessed star’s next move is crucial for her career, but may come at a huge cost to her social life.

It’s clear to see that Gemma, 23, has swapped a life of living among sexy singletons for days out with her middle-aged parents, mother Louise Owen, 46, and former England footballer father Michael Owen, 46 and their family – daughters, Emily, 18, and Jessica, 16, and son James, 20.

Ex-Three Lions star Michael gained a reputation for being a bore during his playing days, and while he is now trying to rid himself of that tag in the family’s new documentary series Meet the Owens, rumours are rife that Gemma could be following in his footsteps.

Even Michael describes her as a “female version” of himself.

A source told us: “Gemma has been telling everyone how her dad is anything but boring, but she is running the risk of taking over his dull tag.

“She is rarely spotted with pals, preferring to head out and about with her dad or mum, or one of her siblings.

“Family and horses are everything to Gemma, and both take up so much of her time there’s not much left over for friends who aren’t involved in horses.

“She was fully focused on a dressage career, but has recently taken the plunge as a jockey, and she has massively caught the horse racing bug now.

“It’s an incredibly demanding sport, and it’s taken a toll on her personal life.”

The trolls haven’t been kind after watching her in action again.

One person commented: “She is a just like her Dad. Seen more charisma in a fly tipped mattress.”

While another critic remarked: “Gemma isn’t a natural onscreen with her monotone voice.”

Gemma recently suffered a huge double blow away from horses when a “really close family friend” unexpectedly passed away, and she split from her boyfriend, British showjumper Red Morgan, 22, in June.

The star revealed in a YouTube video how she and Red remain on “good terms” and are friends, insisting they came to their split decision mutually.

She said on her channel: “We didn’t want to waste anyone’s time if we weren’t both sort of aligned with what we want.”

One thing Gemma certainly wants is success within horse racing, but she suffered another blow recently.

She made her jockey debut as an amateur in the Magnolia Cup charity race at Goodwood Racecourse in July, finishing fourth out of 12, but she was desperately disappointed with the outcome following months of gruelling training.

A source said: “Despite a respectable finish in the Magnolia Cup, Gemma was devastated and found the result hard to take.

“All those months of early morning training sessions and fitness tests became a huge part of her life, and she was hoping for a better finish.

“Gemma was annoyed with herself for a poor start in the race, and she felt bad for everyone who had helped her on her jockey journey.

“She really loved training for the event, and afterwards she was left in limbo about whether to pursue racing or not.

“It has been an emotional rollercoaster, but she is now excited about working towards an amateur jockey licence.”

Gemma has channelled her disappointment into pursuing a potential horse racing career, but she doesn’t want to quit dressage – which she started competing in aged 11 – just yet.

She recently told Horse & Hound magazine: “If I can do both, I will. Racing in the morning, dressage in the afternoon.”

However, this may not give Gemma – who is friends with digital creators Alex Collins, 33, and Natalya Wright, 26, as well as fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper, 39, to name a few – much free time on her social calendar.

The source said: “Aside from plush horse racing gatherings and the odd star-studded bash, Gemma isn’t going to have much spare time if she is serious about a racing and dressage career.

“When she puts her mind to something she really goes for it. There are no distractions.”

Gemma’s Love Island days are certainly not a distraction for her.

She has undergone a huge re-brand since her time in the villa, including taking a step back from her swimwear range OG Beachwear, which she launched in early 2022, just months before she entered the dating show.

Post-villa, Gemma signed a six-figure deal with PrettyLittleThing, which she described as a “dream come true” at the time.

However, she has since exchanged bikinis and bodycon outfits for cashmere knitwear and tweed.

In Meet the Owens, she even refused to address Love Island by its name while introducing herself on the documentary series.

Bikini snaps are also nowhere to be seen on Gemma’s socials, replaced by sportswear or elegant outfits, and the star doesn’t mind if people think her style makes her seem older than her years.

A source said: “Gemma was catapulted into the spotlight on Love Island, but her days of showing off her bikini body in public appear to be long gone.

“She has even joked about people describing her style as that of a middle-aged woman.

“Gemma certainly didn’t disgrace herself during Love Island, but her life is now a complete contrast from the eight weeks she spent in a bikini on camera.

“Nowadays, she can often be seen dressed head-to-toe in tasteful Holland Cooper outfits and expensive jewellery, which she wears at posh horse-related events.

“She showed in Meet the Owens how determined she is to succeed professionally, swapping late-night red-carpet outings for early mornings in the saddle.

“It may make her seem dull to some, but she doesn’t care. She is fully focused on her career and her family.”

Former Liverpool striker Michael – who founded racehorse training facility Manor House Stables in 2006 – previously admitted seeing his daughter enter the Love Island villa was every father’s “worst nightmare”, but he is now in a dream scenario.

The source added: “Michael is delighted that Gemma has turned her latest career attention to horse racing, it is a dream come true for him.

“He and Louise have worked really hard to ensure their children remain grounded amid his fame and fortune, and Gemma, as the eldest of their brood, is the perfect example of that.

“In the family dynamic, Gemma is a supportive older sister to her siblings, and is a steadying presence for the Owens.

“Away from the family home, Gemma is extremely professional and well-mannered, and a real credit to her parents.

“Michael and Louise deeply admire her dedication and they couldn’t be prouder of the woman she has become.”

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Tuesday 15 September

Genoa