Gemma Rose Owen is a 22-year-old British reality television personality, international dressage rider, and businesswoman best known for finishing as runner-up on the eighth series of ITV2’s Love Island in summer 2022 at just 19 years old. Born on May 1, 2003, in Chester, England, Gemma is the eldest daughter of former England football legend Michael Owen and his wife Louise Bonsall, growing up surrounded by sporting excellence and equestrian culture. Before entering the Love Island villa, she represented Great Britain at the 2021 European Junior Dressage Championships in Spain, competing at international level on her beloved horse Sirius Black and achieving personal best scores of over 73% at Prix St Georges level. Gemma founded luxury swimwear brand OG Beachwear in February 2022, just months before her Love Island appearance, and has since built a thriving influencer career with over 1.7 million Instagram followers, brand partnerships worth millions, and expansion of her business empire into promotions and media representation through OG Promotions.
Early Life and Family Background
Gemma Rose Owen was born into one of British sport’s most famous families as the eldest child of Michael Owen and Louise Bonsall (now Louise Owen). Her father Michael enjoyed a glittering football career spanning Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke City, winning the Ballon d’Or in 2001 as the world’s best player whilst becoming England’s youngest-ever player at age 18 and scoring in three World Cups. This sporting pedigree created an environment where excellence, dedication, and competitive drive were family values instilled from birth.
Growing up in Cheshire at the Owen family’s Manor House Stables estate in Northop, North Wales, Gemma was surrounded by horses from her earliest years. Her father Michael transitioned from football into thoroughbred horse racing and breeding following his retirement, establishing successful racing stables that have produced multiple winners at prestigious meetings including Royal Ascot. Her mother Louise shared the family’s passion for equestrian pursuits, creating a household where horses were central to daily life rather than merely a hobby.
Gemma has three younger siblings—James, Emily, and Jessica—forming a close-knit family unit that maintained relative privacy despite Michael’s celebrity status. The Owen family’s wealth and connections provided Gemma with opportunities many young equestrians could only dream of, including access to elite coaching, premium horses, and the financial resources necessary to compete internationally. However, Gemma’s competitive success reflects genuine talent and dedication rather than simply purchasing results, as dressage at elite levels demands years of disciplined training that money alone cannot substitute.
Introduction to Dressage and Early Career
Gemma began riding at a very young age, developing skills and passion for equestrianism before entering formal education. Dressage—often described as “horse ballet”—appealed to Gemma’s competitive nature whilst offering an individual sport where success depended on the partnership between rider and horse rather than team dynamics. The discipline demands extraordinary precision, communication, and years of patient training to execute movements where horse and rider appear to move as one organism.
During her pony years, Gemma competed on Der Kleine Lord in international pony dressage ranks, gaining valuable experience at FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) competitions across Europe. These early international appearances developed her composure under pressure and exposed her to the standards required to succeed at championship level. Competing internationally as a young teenager also required sophisticated time management, balancing academic education with training schedules and travel commitments that would have overwhelmed less dedicated athletes.
As Gemma transitioned from ponies to horses, she partnered with Sirius Black (known affectionately as “Siz”), a 17-year-old Stedinger gelding who would become her most successful competitive mount. The partnership between Gemma and Sirius developed over several years, with horse and rider learning to communicate through subtle cues and developing the trust necessary for advanced dressage movements. Their chemistry became evident through consistent improvement in competitive scores and successful transitions through dressage’s progressive levels from novice through to international junior competition.
International Competition and European Championships
The pinnacle of Gemma Owen’s junior dressage career came in July 2021 when she represented Great Britain at the European Junior Dressage Championships in Oliva, Spain. At age 18, Gemma competed riding Sirius Black alongside teammates Annabella Pidgley, Mette Dahl, and Holly Kerslake in the team competition, one of youth equestrianism’s most prestigious events. The British team finished sixth overall, a respectable result against Europe’s strongest junior dressage nations including traditional powerhouses Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
Competing at the European Championships required Gemma to perform multiple tests including team competition, individual qualifying rounds, and potentially freestyle finals if she qualified. The pressure of representing one’s country before knowledgeable international audiences and expert judges distinguishes championship competition from domestic shows, demanding mental toughness alongside technical proficiency. Gemma’s ability to deliver competitive performances on sport’s biggest stages demonstrated maturity and composure that would later serve her well during Love Island’s intense public scrutiny.
Nationally within Great Britain, Gemma and Sirius Black competed successfully up to Inter I level, one step below Grand Prix which represents dressage’s pinnacle. Her personal best score of 73.53% at Prix St Georges level in January 2022 reflected excellent execution and judges’ recognition of quality work. These percentage scores in dressage assess how accurately horse and rider perform prescribed movements, with scores above 70% indicating very good performances and 75%+ representing exceptional work worthy of international medals.
Balancing Equestrianism with Entrepreneurship
In February 2022, just months before entering Love Island, Gemma launched OG Beachwear, a luxury swimwear brand offering ethically produced, high-quality swimwear for both men and women. The brand name “OG” ostensibly referenced her initials (Owen, Gemma) whilst also playing on slang usage meaning “original” or authentic. The business venture demonstrated entrepreneurial ambition beyond competitive riding, recognizing that equestrian careers typically peak in athletes’ 20s-30s and planning for financial security beyond competition.
OG Beachwear’s product range initially focused on women’s swimsuits, bikinis, and related beachwear, with prices positioning the brand in the luxury market segment (swimsuits retailing around £60-£72). Gemma’s involvement extended beyond simply lending her name to the venture, as she participated in design decisions, modelling the products herself, and managing brand development. The timing of the launch just before Love Island suggested strategic planning, as reality television exposure would provide unparalleled marketing opportunities for a fledgling fashion brand.
In May 2022, shortly before entering the Love Island villa, Gemma expanded her business interests by launching OG Promotions, a media representation company. The venture reflected growing sophistication about managing public image and commercial opportunities, recognizing that her famous family name and competitive achievements created influencer potential worth professional management. These business foundations positioned Gemma to capitalize on whatever exposure Love Island generated, whether she won, finished early, or achieved somewhere in between.
Love Island 2022: Entering the Villa
On June 6, 2022, Gemma Owen entered the Love Island villa in Mallorca as one of the original contestants for the show’s eighth series. At age 19, she was the youngest participant in the starting lineup, though production initially presented her as 19 without emphasizing this distinction. ITV2’s decision to cast Michael Owen’s daughter generated immediate media attention, with tabloids speculating about how her famous father would react to watching his teenage daughter navigate romance and drama on national television.
Gemma’s introduction to fellow Islanders deliberately avoided mentioning her father’s identity, allowing her to form initial connections based on her own personality rather than being defined by her family background. However, British viewers and contestants quickly recognized her surname and physical resemblance to the former footballer, making it impossible to maintain anonymity for long. Gemma handled questions about her family with maturity, acknowledging her father’s career whilst establishing that she had achieved success independently through her own competitive riding rather than relying solely on family connections.
Her initial coupling in the villa paired her with Liam Llewellyn, though this match proved short-lived and lacking genuine romantic chemistry. Gemma’s competitive nature, confidence, and direct communication style immediately distinguished her from more passive contestants, establishing her as a central character whose relationships would drive narrative arcs throughout the series. Her self-description as “fun, flirty and fiery” proved accurate, as Gemma navigated the villa’s social dynamics with strategic awareness whilst maintaining standards about respectful treatment of fellow contestants.
Romance with Luca Bish and Ex-Boyfriend Drama
The defining relationship of Gemma’s Love Island journey developed with Luca Bish, a 23-year-old fishmonger from Brighton who coupled with her relatively early in the series. Their connection grew steadily, with Luca declaring genuine feelings and Gemma reciprocating despite being younger and perhaps less ready for serious commitment. The couple’s dynamic involved Luca’s more emotionally expressive approach contrasting with Gemma’s cooler, more guarded demeanour—a pattern that generated both sweet moments and tensions as the series progressed.
The most dramatic complication in Gemma’s Love Island story came when her ex-boyfriend Jacques O’Neill entered the villa as a bombshell contestant. The 23-year-old rugby league player had dated Gemma for eight months approximately 18 months before the show, creating potentially explosive drama when he arrived and immediately recognized his former girlfriend. However, the situation resolved with surprising maturity, as Gemma and Jacques maintained friendly relations whilst she continued pursuing her connection with Luca, and Jacques eventually coupled with other contestants.
Gemma’s handling of the ex-boyfriend situation impressed viewers and fellow Islanders, demonstrating emotional intelligence and refusing to allow past relationships to disrupt her present romantic pursuits. Jacques and Luca even became close friends in the villa despite the potentially awkward dynamic, suggesting that Gemma’s version of their previous relationship matched Jacques’ memory and that both had genuinely moved forward. Jacques later voluntarily left Love Island mid-series citing mental health concerns, removing the complication from Gemma’s journey before the final.
Love Island Final and Runner-Up Finish
Gemma Owen and Luca Bish reached the Love Island 2022 final on August 1, 2022, making them one of four couples competing for the £50,000 prize and the title of series winners. Despite being consistently popular with viewers throughout the eight-week series and being one of the most stable couples, Gemma and Luca finished in second place behind winners Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti. The final vote saw dramatic distribution: winners received 63.69% of public votes whilst Gemma and Luca secured just 14.47%, suggesting that Ekin-Su and Davide’s entertaining journey resonated more strongly with audiences than Gemma and Luca’s steadier relationship.
The runner-up finish nonetheless represented tremendous success for Gemma’s public profile and commercial prospects. Love Island contestants who reach the final typically secure the most lucrative brand partnerships and influencer opportunities regardless of whether they win outright, as the extended exposure builds audience familiarity and affection. Gemma’s combination of reality television fame, equestrian credentials, business ownership, and famous family name created an unprecedented influencer package that brands would compete to access.
Throughout the series, Gemma strategically showcased her OG Beachwear products, wearing pieces from her own collection whilst in the villa and having her team promote the brand during her television appearances. This integration of personal business into reality television presence demonstrated sophisticated understanding of modern influencer marketing, where authentic usage of one’s own products carries more credibility than traditional advertising. The exposure generated by eight weeks on Britain’s most-watched reality show would have cost hundreds of thousands in traditional marketing spend.
Post-Love Island Relationship with Luca
Following their exit from the Love Island villa in August 2022, Gemma Owen and Luca Bish officially became boyfriend and girlfriend, with both expressing optimism about their relationship’s future despite the pressures facing reality TV couples. The couple attempted to navigate normal relationship development whilst simultaneously managing newfound fame, media scrutiny, and demanding commercial schedules that frequently separated them geographically. These pressures prove too much for many Love Island couples, with the majority splitting within months of the show concluding.
Gemma and Luca’s relationship lasted approximately three months after Love Island ended before they announced their separation in November 2022. Gemma released a statement on Instagram explaining: “It wasn’t an easy decision but ultimately this is what is best for us both right now,” suggesting the split was mutual and amicable despite disappointment. However, Luca’s response indicated he would have preferred more time to process privately, stating: “I would have liked some time to process this privately but as you all already now know sadly Gemma and I made the mutual decision earlier today to go our separate ways.”
The breakup generated substantial media coverage and fan reaction, with supporters divided between blaming external pressures, questioning whether genuine compatibility existed, and speculating about specific incidents that might have caused the split. Gemma and Luca both refrained from public criticism of each other, maintaining dignity and suggesting the relationship simply ran its natural course rather than ending due to dramatic betrayal or incompatibility. The split freed both to pursue individual opportunities without needing to coordinate schedules or navigate long-distance relationship challenges whilst building post-Love Island careers.
Current Relationship and Return to Equestrianism
Following her split from Luca Bish, Gemma eventually began dating Red Morgan, son of businessman Steve Morgan and himself an accomplished showjumper within British equestrian circles. The relationship reportedly developed through shared involvement in competitive riding, returning Gemma to the equestrian community that had defined her pre-Love Island identity. Dating someone from equestrianism rather than entertainment or influencer industries suggested Gemma’s core identity remained rooted in riding despite her reality television fame.
The relationship with Red Morgan has been conducted more privately than her televised romance with Luca, with Gemma sharing occasional glimpses on social media without making the relationship a central aspect of her public persona. This privacy represents a deliberate choice to separate personal life from professional influencer activities, learning from the experience of having her previous relationship documented and scrutinized by millions of viewers. The approach allows Gemma to maintain commercial value from her Love Island platform whilst protecting intimate relationships from excessive public examination.
Gemma has continued her dressage career following Love Island, though competitive results and frequency appear reduced compared to her pre-2022 intensity. Balancing international riding commitments with influencer responsibilities, brand partnerships, and business management creates scheduling challenges that make maintaining elite competitive level extraordinarily difficult. Many former junior international riders face similar decisions when transitioning to senior competition, as the increased difficulty combined with life commitments causes some to reduce competitive ambitions whilst others commit fully to pursuing Olympic-level careers.
Tragic Loss of Sirius Black
In February 2023, Gemma suffered devastating personal loss when her beloved horse Sirius Black passed away suddenly due to a severe illness at age 18. The gelding who had carried her to international success and her greatest competitive achievements died unexpectedly, leaving Gemma heartbroken and in shock. She paid tribute on Instagram with a montage of their partnership, writing: “On Friday we lost my horse of a lifetime due to a sudden and severe illness. Words can’t describe how much this horse meant to me and my family, he was truly one in a million.”
Sirius Black’s death represented both personal grief and professional setback, as horses of his quality and the partnership they had developed are irreplaceable. Elite dressage horses require years of training to reach international level, and the communication between specific horse and rider develops through countless hours together that cannot be replicated quickly with a new mount. Gemma’s tribute emphasized Sirius’s exceptional temperament and caring nature, suggesting he was special beyond just competitive results.
The equestrian community rallied around Gemma following Sirius’s death, with fellow riders, trainers, and fans expressing condolences and sharing their own experiences of losing beloved horses. The loss potentially affected Gemma’s competitive timeline for returning to elite-level dressage, as acquiring and developing a new horse to international standard represents multi-year investment of time and resources. For someone also managing business interests and influencer career, the additional commitment required to start again with a new horse might influence decisions about future competitive priorities.
OG Beachwear and Business Success
Following Love Island exposure, OG Beachwear experienced explosive growth in both brand awareness and commercial success, with Gemma’s 1.7 million Instagram followers providing built-in marketing reach worth substantial advertising value. The brand expanded beyond initial swimwear offerings to include accessories such as sunglasses, beach bags, and jewelry, capitalizing on Gemma’s fashion influence and leveraging her platform to promote lifestyle products adjacent to core swimwear lines. Revenue figures remain private, but industry observers estimate the business generates substantial six-figure annual revenue.
The brand emphasizes ethical production and luxury quality positioning, differentiating OG Beachwear from fast-fashion competitors and justifying premium pricing. Gemma’s personal involvement in design, modelling campaigns, and brand strategy provides authenticity that pure celebrity endorsements lack, as customers recognize she genuinely uses and believes in the products rather than simply accepting payment to promote another company’s offerings. This authentic founder involvement has become increasingly valuable as consumers grow skeptical of traditional influencer marketing where celebrities promote products they never actually use.
OG Beachwear’s success demonstrates how reality television exposure can accelerate business growth for contestants who arrive with established brands rather than creating businesses afterward to capitalize on fame. Gemma’s strategic timing—launching just months before Love Island—allowed her to leverage unprecedented marketing exposure whilst the brand remained new enough to direct public attention. Had she launched after returning from the show, critics might have dismissed it as pure fame-chasing rather than recognizing her entrepreneurial initiative predated reality television involvement.
Influencer Career and Brand Partnerships
Beyond her own businesses, Gemma has secured lucrative brand partnerships and ambassadorship roles with major companies seeking to access her young, affluent, fashion-conscious audience. Her collaborations have included fashion brands, beauty products, lifestyle companies, and equestrian equipment manufacturers, allowing her to monetize different aspects of her multifaceted public identity. Industry estimates suggest top-tier Love Island finalists can earn £1-5 million in the first year following the show through brand partnerships, sponsored content, and appearance fees.
Gemma’s dual identity as both reality star and accomplished equestrian athlete provides unique marketing value, as she can authentically promote both lifestyle products to reality TV fans and specialized equestrian equipment to riding audiences. This versatility distinguishes her from Love Island contestants whose appeal rests solely on their television personality without underlying achievements or expertise. Brands seeking credibility with specific demographics value this authentic connection over pure follower counts.
Her social media strategy balances promotional content with personal posts about riding, family, relationships, and daily life, maintaining engagement and authenticity rather than transforming her accounts into pure advertising platforms. This balance reflects sophisticated understanding of influencer marketing, where audiences tolerate sponsored content if it comprises minority percentage of overall posts and aligns with the influencer’s genuine interests and lifestyle. Gemma’s riding content particularly performs well, as audiences appreciate seeing her equestrian achievements rather than viewing her solely through the Love Island lens.
Public Image and Media Presence
Gemma Owen has cultivated a public image balancing confidence, accomplishment, and relatability whilst avoiding the controversies and drama that sometimes plague reality television personalities. Her media appearances since Love Island have showcased intelligence, articulateness, and maturity that challenge stereotypes about reality TV contestants as vapid fame-seekers. Gemma consistently emphasizes her competitive riding career and business achievements alongside television fame, establishing a multi-dimensional identity that transcends single-show celebrity status.
Her famous surname initially raised questions about whether Love Island casting represented nepotism or strategic decision to generate publicity through Michael Owen’s daughter. However, Gemma’s own competitive achievements and business initiative demonstrated she possessed independent accomplishments beyond family connections. Her handling of questions about her father struck appropriate balance between acknowledging his influence whilst establishing her own identity, neither exploiting family fame excessively nor denying its obvious advantages.
Gemma has largely avoided the tabloid controversies and public feuds that dominate headlines about some Love Island alumni, maintaining relatively drama-free presence focused on business, riding, and positive content. This strategic choice preserves long-term commercial value and brand partnership opportunities, as companies prefer ambassadors who avoid scandal and generate positive associations. Her approach suggests career planning beyond short-term fame maximization, building sustainable influencer business rather than burning bright briefly before fading from public consciousness.
Future Prospects and Career Direction
At age 22 in 2025, Gemma Owen faces decisions about prioritizing between competitive equestrianism, influencer career, business management, and potential return to television through other programmes or hosting opportunities. Elite dressage requires extraordinary time commitment that may prove incompatible with maintaining high-profile influencer presence, potentially forcing difficult choices about which career path to emphasize. Alternatively, she might pursue both at reduced intensity levels, competing domestically whilst focusing influencer content partly on riding without pursuing Olympic-level international ambitions.
Her business ventures could expand further, with OG Beachwear potentially growing into larger fashion house offering broader product ranges, physical retail locations, or licensing deals with established retailers. OG Promotions similarly could develop into significant media representation firm managing other influencers and reality television personalities, leveraging Gemma’s experience and connections. These business directions would provide income and career satisfaction beyond pure influencer activities whilst building transferable skills for life after social media relevance inevitably declines.
Gemma’s long-term prospects appear strong given her diverse income streams, family financial security, competitive achievements, and sophisticated approach to managing public image. Unlike reality television contestants whose fame rests entirely on one show appearance, Gemma possesses equestrian credentials and business ownership that provide identity and purpose beyond influencer activities. Her career trajectory will likely involve gradual transition from reality star toward businesswoman and potentially equestrian coach or commentator, maintaining public profile through achievement rather than pure celebrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gemma Owen?
Gemma Owen was born on May 1, 2003, making her 22 years old as of November 2025. She entered the Love Island villa in June 2022 at age 19, making her the youngest contestant in that series’ starting lineup.
Who is Gemma Owen’s father?
Gemma’s father is Michael Owen, the former England international footballer who played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke City. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 as the world’s best player and is now a successful racehorse owner and breeder.
Did Gemma Owen win Love Island?
No, Gemma and her partner Luca Bish finished as runners-up in the Love Island 2022 final, receiving 14.47% of the public vote. Winners Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti received 63.69% of votes in a landslide victory.
What does Gemma Owen do for a living?
Gemma is an international dressage rider, businesswoman, and influencer. She founded luxury swimwear brand OG Beachwear in February 2022 and media representation company OG Promotions in May 2022, whilst continuing competitive riding and brand partnership work.
Is Gemma Owen still with Luca Bish?
No, Gemma and Luca split in November 2022, approximately three months after leaving the Love Island villa. Gemma is now reportedly dating showjumper Red Morgan, whom she met through equestrian circles.
What happened to Gemma Owen’s horse?
Gemma’s beloved horse Sirius Black passed away suddenly in February 2023 due to a severe illness at age 18. Sirius carried Gemma to international success including the 2021 European Junior Championships and was described as her “horse of a lifetime.”
What level dressage does Gemma Owen compete at?
Before Love Island, Gemma competed up to Inter I level nationally and represented Great Britain at the 2021 European Junior Championships. Her personal best score was 73.53% at Prix St Georges level achieved in January 2022.
What is OG Beachwear?
OG Beachwear is Gemma’s luxury swimwear brand launched in February 2022, offering ethically produced swimsuits, bikinis, and accessories for men and women. Products are positioned in the premium market with swimsuits retailing around £60-£72.
How many followers does Gemma Owen have on Instagram?
Gemma has over 1.7 million followers on her main Instagram account (@gemowen_1) as of 2025, accumulated largely following her Love Island 2022 appearance and sustained through influencer content and brand partnerships.
Did Gemma Owen’s ex-boyfriend go on Love Island?
Yes, Gemma’s ex-boyfriend Jacques O’Neill entered the Love Island 2022 villa as a bombshell contestant. The pair had dated for eight months approximately 18 months before the show but handled the situation maturely, with Jacques later leaving voluntarily citing mental health concerns.
What is Gemma Owen’s height?
Gemma Owen is reportedly 5 feet 6 inches tall. Although she appeared relatively short standing next to taller male contestants like Adam Collard in the Love Island villa, she is actually average height for British women.
How much is Gemma Owen worth?
Specific net worth figures are not publicly disclosed, but industry estimates suggest top Love Island finalists can earn £1-5 million in the first year following the show. Gemma’s multiple businesses and brand partnerships likely place her among the highest-earning Love Island alumni.
Who is Gemma Owen’s mum?
Gemma’s mother is Louise Owen (formerly Louise Bonsall), who married Michael Owen and shares her daughter’s passion for horses and equestrianism. The pair have a close relationship documented throughout Gemma’s Love Island journey.
Does Gemma Owen still ride horses?
Yes, Gemma continues riding and maintains her equestrian career despite influencer commitments, though the frequency and level of competition appears reduced compared to her pre-Love Island intensity. She is reportedly dating fellow equestrian Red Morgan.
What did Gemma Owen study?
Details of Gemma’s formal education beyond secondary school are not widely publicized, as she began focusing intensively on competitive dressage and business ventures during typical university years rather than pursuing traditional higher education.
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