Love Island's Sophie Lee shares tragic story about fire-breathing accident which left her in intensive care

Cosmopolitan

2 days ago

Love Island is finally back and ready to take over our summers once again, with a brand new set of islanders we are ready to obsess over.
And already, it seems fans have their favourites, with Sophie Lee receiving praise for opening up about the shocking story about a fire-breathing accident, which resulted in facial burns.
The 29-year-old was sat with Harry Cooksley, where she explained: 'When I was 22 I was in a fire accident. It made me the woman that I am. It made me learn so much about life and interactions with people and how to be better.'
Sophie and Harry has since been paired together, with the girls choosing who they want to couple up with based on short bios left by the boys. While there doesn't seem to be a romantic connection as of yet, things may change as the series develops.
Viewers have since dubbed Sophie as 'inspiring' for sharing her story with the others, with many praising the star on social media.
Sophie previously worked as a fire-breather, and suffered extreme burns when performing at an event in Chicago after air-con resulted in fire being blown back into her face.
'The air-con was too strong so when I blew the fire out it blew back to me,' she told Fabulous. "It set me on fire. I just remember being in so much pain, I blacked out for a little bit. It's crazy.
"It happened in front of everyone and I had to get on with it as professionally and quickly as I could. As soon as I got into the ambulance, I was in bits.'
Sophie spent over a month in intensive care over in the States, where doctors treated her severe burns.
'That was a scary, scary time. I couldn't breathe by myself, I couldn't eat, I couldn't really see, it was scary. I was pretty out of it but on day two on looked in the mirror and just cried,' she explained.
The burns then became a keloid tumour, which Sophie had to treat herself with liquid nitrogen and steroid injections, as well as a round of chemotherapy. Doctors have since reconstructred her face, but she has now been left with permanent scarring.
Sophie has since written a book about her experience, In My Skin. She also works as a motivational speaker.
'I want to speak to young girls, really get the message out there that you should love yourself for everything you are,' she said.
"It's taken me a long time to accept my body, especially with the industry I was in, I was always scrutinised for how I look.
"But with this accident it's crazy. Because the one time I feel like I should be most body conscious, I'm probably the happiest I've ever been.'
This series of Love Island is set to be one of the most exciting yet, with host Maya Jama promising plenty of twists.
Still want more Love Island goss? We've got you covered – from the full cast list to the Islanders who decided to go back to their day jobs.
Love Island continues on ITV2
Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper's Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.