I’ve quit Made In Chelsea and reality TV forever – I’ve had therapy to cope with vile death threats, says Zara McDermott
FORMER Love Island star Zara McDermott has quit reality TV after years of trolling left her needing therapy.
The stunning model has revealed she will not return to Made In Chelsea to film alongside boyfriend Sam Thompson.
Chatting in our exclusive interview the ex-Celebrity X Factor babe told how she had turned her back on reality TV to focus on presenting and producing shows.
Zara said: “I’ve definitely quit doing reality TV. I stopped doing reality around a year ago.
“I have closed that chapter of my life. I did it for three years and now it’s time for the next chapter of my life. I won’t be going back to Made In Chelsea.”
Zara found fame on ITV2’s Love Island back in 2018.
She has decided to quit reality TV after years of vile abuse at the hands of sick trolls.
The 24-year-old told how both her and her family were subjected to death threats after Sam dumped her on MIC for cheating on him.
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She said: “I have loved doing reality TV and don’t regret any of it. I just hated all the trolling. It is also hard because you have to relive things so many times.
“You go through it in real life, and then you have to keep reliving it on camera.
“Then you have to relive it all over again when it’s on TV and everyone has an opinion. Facing the public backlash is awful.
“I have had death threats. People saying they know where my family lives and threatening them too.
“It’s disgusting and scary. It is weird how hardened you have to become to it.
“I have had therapy but at the end of the day they can only help so much.
“It is you that has to live with it day in and day out.”
Zara recently filmed two hard-hitting critically-acclaimed documentaries for BBC3 called Revenge Porn and Uncovering Rape Culture.
She will also present a new dating show called Love In The Flesh for the channel, which airs in Spring.
Zara, who is once again loved-up and happy with Sam, said: “Doing the documentaries has been like a giant therapy session for me.
“Especially the revenge porn film. It is very cathartic. I finally feel free from it all. You get a little bit of trolling but on the whole the response to the documentaries have been incredible.
“I’ve had messages from parents saying they’ve discussed it with their kids.
“I’ve had messages from teachers saying they have shown the documentaries to their pupils. It is amazing to know that I have made a difference.”
Talking about New Year’s Resolutions Zara added: “My main goal for next year is to study to become a producer.
“I want to start producing the documentaries and programmes I’m involved with.
“I want to focus on the important issues that are affecting young people. You are put into a certain box when you are on reality TV. People think you are stupid.
“I will never regret doing reality TV because I have loved it but that is in the past for me now.”
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