Latest news with #InMySkin
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Get to know Sophie from Manchester ahead of her Love Island appearance
Love Island returns to our screens next week, and the Islanders have been announced, with one from Manchester taking part. Maya Jama will return to present the show, and viewers can expect everything from 'bombshell arrivals to surprise dumpings', ITV said. The ITV dating show has been on our TV screens for a decade since it first aired in 2015. Sophie Lee, a motivational speaker and author who lives in Manchester, will spend some time in the Mallorca sun while she hopes to find love in the Love Island Villa. Lee said when she enters the Love Island Villa, she's looking for 'someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive.' She added: 'At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and 'do not cross' signs.' When asked, 'If you were the CEO of anything, what would it be?', Sophie said: 'I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self.' The 29-year-old had a fire-breathing accident when performing in Chicago, aged 23, after a 'too-strong air-conditioning unit blasted fire back at her', a summary of her book In My Skin reveals on Goodreads. It added: 'Her face and chest went up in flames and her image was changed forever.' Sophie has had the support of Katie Piper, who is a victim of an acid attack and appears on daytime TV regularly. The original lineup will see 12 singletons, including a payroll specialist and a landscape gardener, try to find love in the Villa. Love Island has been streamed more than 2 billion times and the show has become the most watched programme for 16-34-year-olds on more than 400 occasions, ITV says. Recommended reading: What we know about Harlan Coben's new series due to be filmed in the northwest The most popular filming locations across Bolton 'Rural' village near Bolton named among poshest in the UK In a show first, fans can also choose to watch along with the launch show live with the hosts of Love Island: The Morning After, either on ITVX or YouTube. Plus, all podcast and Love Island: Aftersun episodes will also be available to watch back on YouTube throughout the series. Series 12 of Love Island starts on Monday, June 9 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Cosmopolitan
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Tragic fire breathing accident: Inside Love Island UK 2025 contestant Sophie Lee's life
The starting line-up for this year's Love Island has been revealed and taking part in this year's show is former fire performer Sophie Lee. Lee was rumoured to be part of this year's line-up, and on Tuesday 3rd June, ITV confirmed that the 29-year-old, who is now a motivational speaker and author, would be taking part. The contestant is hoping to find someone "fun" and "spontaneous" and will be trying to steer clear of all the red flags in the villa. She'll make her villa debut on Monday 9th June, alongside Megan, 25, from Southampton, personal trainer, Dejon, 26, whose dad is a former pro-baller, and the other Islanders on this year's show. We did some digging, and Sophie has had quite the life ahead of appearing on the show. Read on for everything you need to know about her, including the tragic incident that led to her becoming the activist she is today. Age: 29 Job: Motivational speaker and author Lives: Manchester Sophie Lee is a motivational speaker and author. She previously worked as a fire performer, but an accident at the age off 22 left her with severe burns to the face. It happened in 2019 during one of Sophie's performances. The air-con in the venue was too powerful and blasted a fireball back at her, causing her face and chest to 'go up in flames'. Sophie told Fabulous Magazine: "The air-con was too strong so when I blew the fire out it blew back to me. It set me on fire. I just remember being in so much pain, I blacked out for a little bit. It's crazy." She continued: "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 a month in intensive care after the incident and the scars developed into a facial deformity resulting in a tumor growing on the side of her face. Since leaving hospital, Sophie has become a successful beauty influencer and in 2023, she won the Beauty Awards Influencer of the Year. She modelled for countless campaigns and fashion companies, and published a book called In My Skin in 2024. Sophie is 29-years-old. She sure is. You can follow Sophie at @sophirelee. As of 3rd June, she has 96k followers, but this is likely to rise once she appears on the ITV2 dating show. Sophie regularly shares updates about her skin journey and has fully documented the accident on her social media. Sophie is looking for "someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and 'do not cross' signs." She also hopes to raise awareness around body positivity in the villa, adding: "I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self. " Love Island starts on ITV2 on Monday 9th June at 9pm.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Who is Sophie Lee? Former fire breather and dancer joining the Love Island 2025 villa
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SOPHIE Lee is a former fire-performer who will be joining the cast of Love Island 2025. The star, who will be 29 when she enters the villa, hopes to use her time in the villa to spread awareness about body positivity. 5 Sophie is an published author and activist Credit: Getty 5 The star has worked with Katie Piper's incredible charity Credit: Alamy A shocking incident Sophie's life was changed when she was just 22, after a fire-breathing accident left her with significant burns. The incident took place whilst she was performing in Chicago, when an air-conditioner blew the flames she was expelling back towards her. The star, from Manchester, has opened up to The Sun about the terrifying incident. She said: 'The air-con was too strong so when I blew the fire out it blew back to me. 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." She added: 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 I looked in the mirror and just cried.' Sophie spent a month in an intensive care clinic in America, before battling with a tumour which began growing on the side of her face. Becoming an activist Sophie has used her own experiences to become an activist, spreading awareness about unfair beauty standards and the importance of body positivity. She said: 'Life since the accident is definitely something I didn't expect because I just see myself as someone who went through something and thought my story could help others. 'My aim was never to get awards or receive that type of attention. With the platform I have now, I feel like I have not only a responsibility to others but a responsibility to myself to be a better person everyday and to always be evolving. Maya Jama looks incredible as she dives in the sea in thong bikini 'If people were to take a message from my story I'd say that beauty is always skin deep and your life is perfect just as it is. 'You just need to be yourself and accepting of life's roller coaster so love your perfectly imperfect life.' She has worked extensively with Katie Piper's charity and even wrote a hit book entitled In My Skin. Joining Love Island Sophie will be joining the cast of Love Island which kicks off on June 9, 2025. 5 Sophie was working in Chicago when the incident which left her scarred took place Credit: Supplied According to a source, the star is planning to use the show to advocate for body positivity. The source said: 'Sophie is a gorgeous girl and a powerhouse of a woman who has overcome everything life has thrown at her. 'Just like Tasha Ghouri's amazing time in the villa where she raised awareness for the hearing impaired, Love Island bosses are thrilled to give Sophie the same platform to discuss her accident and how she's become comfortable in her skin since. 'Love Island has always tried to be about more than just looks and Sophie is a classic example of an Islander with real substance.' ITV has already announced that Maya Jama's show AfterSun will be returning, as well as the show's iconic narrator Iain Stirling. Two other contestants, named Aaron Buckett and Lucy Quinn, have also been confirmed to be joining the cast. ITV has also announced that there will be an exciting Love Island spin-off, where former Love Island couples will rewatch the show in a Gogglebox-style format. Stars including Cara De La Hoyde and Nathan Massey, as well as Millie Court and Liam Reardon will be returning for the special episode. Fan-favourites Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, alongside Indiyah Polack and her boyfriend Dami Hope, will also be returning for the special. 5 Lucy Quinn will be joining Sophie in the villa Credit: Instagram/@LucyQuinnMakeup
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inspiring new Love Island star reveals why she keeps scarred skin in freezer after near-fatal fire-breathing accident
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FUTURE Love Island star has revealed why she keeps some of her scarred skin next to the peas in her freezer after narrowly escaping death during a fire-breathing trick. It's no secret that the sexiest singles from across the UK are recruited for Love Island. 12 Sophie Lee will be joining the Love Island villa next month Credit: Instagram 12 The former fire breather suffered horror burns when an air-con unit blew flames back in her face Credit: Instagram 12 She was performing a fire-breathing trick at the time Credit: Instagram 12 The accident caused her life-long scars Credit: Instagram But when the ITV2 dating show returns next month, among the bronzed bodies and flirtatious banter one contestant is set to redefine what it means to be beautiful and bold on TV. Author and influencer Sophie Lee is the latest glamorous star to join the line-up, which already features hunky personal trainer Aaron Buckett, model Shakira Khan and make-up artist Lucy Quinn. Sophie, 29, from Manchester, is no stranger to the spotlight. Before the Instagram followers, magazine features and influencer award nominations, Sophie was a fire-breathing stage performer whose career — and life — nearly ended in a horror accident. In her memoir, In My Skin, which details the painful accident, Sophie describes the moment that the fireball struck in the freak accident. 'Everyone gasped as I sprayed the paraffin out of my mouth,' she wrote. 'Through the gaps I had allowed to form between my eyelids, I saw a fireball launching towards my face, the heat was projecting back towards me but there was no time to protect myself. 'The whole thing happened in a split second but I can still play it through frame by frame. "The terrifying sight of the fire hurtling back to me, the scorching feeling on my face, my sharp intake of breath as the fire licked over my skin, starting to smell the unmistakable odour of burning hair. 'I started to smell my skin burning, I could feel it creeping up my face. I was worried for my eyes, I was scared and my whole body felt cold. "I was on fire for less than 30 seconds, but that was all it took to scorch my skin, changing my appearance, and my life, for ever.' Love Island star reveals if she's returning to ITV show for a THIRD time The first time Sophie caught her reflection after the accident, it was an emotional gut punch. She continued: 'I looked like a monster, my life was over. I screamed and cried. The heat was projecting back towards me but there was no time to protect myself Sophie Lee 'I considered myself young, energetic, fit and full of life. All of that had been taken away from me. It will be remembered forever as the lowest point of my life.' That doesn't mean, however, that Sophie has any negative feelings towards her scars. 12 The fireball engulfed the woman's throat Credit: Instagram 12 The influencer was left unable to breather or eat alone Credit: Instagram "She has so much love for them, in fact, that not only is she open about her journey online, she has kept some of her scarred skin forever after it fell off following her surgery. Sophie explained: 'I didn't have the heart to throw it in the bin, so I found a small Tupperware box to put it in before putting it in the freezer. It's still there. Next to the peas, no big deal.' It is not just Sophie's beauty, therefore, that attracted Love Island bosses but the incredible story that the influencer has to share. A source said: 'Sophie is a gorgeous girl and a powerhouse of a woman who has overcome everything life has thrown at her. 'Love Island bosses are thrilled to give Sophie the platform to discuss her accident and how she's become comfortable in her skin since. 'The series has always tried to be about more than just looks and Sophie is a classic example of an Islander with real substance. 'Now, Sophie's in the mix for this year's cast, with show executives deciding soon if she will be in the original line-up or come into the villa later as a bombshell.' I started to smell my skin burning, I could feel it creeping up my face Sophie Lee ITV this week announced Love Island would launch on June 9 but has not yet confirmed its cast. And it is a huge audience that Sophie will share her story with, as the show's 12 series have now been streamed two billion times on ITVX. When she was 22, Sophie was left fighting for her life when she caught fire during a performance in Chicago, which saw an air conditioning unit blow a fireball back towards her face and setting her ablaze. 12 The model now works with Sophie Piper's foundation Credit: Instagram 12 Her openness caught the attention of Love Island host Maya Jama Credit: Instagram Sophie recalled in an interview with Fabulous Magazine: 'The air-con was too strong so when I blew the fire out it blew back to me. It set me on fire. 'I just remember being in so much pain, I blacked out for a little bit. It's crazy.' What followed was a month in an intensive care unit in an American hospital, alone and disorientated, as machines helped her to breathe and nurses monitored her around the clock. 12 Sophie spent a month in intensive care Credit: Instagram 12 Sophie's scars turned into a facial deformity She had suffered severe burns to her head and chest. Then, as she recovered, a tumour began to develop where the skin had been most damaged. I couldn't breathe by myself, I couldn't eat, I couldn't really see Sophie Lee She added: 'That was a scary, scary time. I couldn't breathe by myself, I couldn't eat, I couldn't really see. 'I was pretty out of it but, on day two, I looked in the mirror and just cried.' While it felt like the end, Sophie now feels like it was the beginning. Stunning Sophie, who is a model, now works with Sophie Piper's foundation and regularly posts online about her process of healing from facial scarring, body positivity and self-love. Sophie has also become a successful beauty influencer, winning the Beauty Awards Influencer of the Year 2023, and was nominated for the Woman of the Hour Award. She has also modelled for countless campaigns and fashion companies over the past few years, including Missguided's LoveThySelf initiative, as well as featuring in a Netflix documentary. I wanted people to see I was owning my scars Sophie Lee A year after the accident, Sophie underwent cryosurgery, a freezing procedure to remove the tumour that had formed on her face, performed by a leading industry expert. She went on to receive multiple rounds of steroid injections to aid healing, and is open in sharing her routine with various creams and treatments to help diminish the effect of her scarring on her face. Now, Sophie keeps busy by using her online platform to tell her story, publishing her book last year as another way to challenge the concept of conventional beauty standards. 'I wanted to stand up for those who didn't fit in with society's beauty ideals,' she wrote. 'I wanted people to see I was owning my scars. 'I wanted to start telling my story and to show that, above all, I was grateful to be alive. 'I was terrified about the reaction, the internet can be a nasty place, but all I got back was kindness. People said I was unique, beautiful, brave. I knew I had to do more. 'I cried over my scars for a long time, I wished them away, but now I see things differently. I looked in the mirror and just cried Sophie Lee 'These days if I sense someone looking at me, I brush it off - I know people are curious, but back then, I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I didn't want to be different. 'Now, I wear my scars with pride. I feel stronger when I show myself: all of me. 'I'm done with hiding who I am.' Her openness caught the attention of big names, including Love Island's hostess Maya Jama, who Sophie gushed over as her 'girl crush' revealed had 'liked' some of her body-positive posts. While it might be her first time coming face to face with the show's host when she appears on ITV2 next month, there's no doubt Sophie won't be rattled by the show's hunky men, having already dated one. Scottish show star Ouzy See revealed that he was dating the influencer when they appeared together at the Beauty Awards in 2023, posing for photos on the red carpet. Ouzy, who dated Kady McDermott on the show, gushed over Sophie to The Sun: 'She's inspirational.' Now, I wear my scars with pride. I feel stronger when I show myself: all of me Sophie Lee There is little surprise, then, that Sophie is ready to head into the Love Island villa in search of romance, as well as more visibility for her message. She joins a list of other past islanders, including Tasha Ghouri, the show's first deaf contestant, and Dr Alex George, now a youth mental health ambassador, who have used their newfound fame to campaign for causes close to their hearts. Sophie continued: 'If people were to take a message from my story, I'd say that beauty is always skin deep, and your life is perfect just as it is. 'You just need to be yourself and accepting of life's rollercoaster, so love your perfectly imperfect life. 'I developed a sense of independence that I hadn't experienced previously [after my accident], I grew an inner strength like none I'd ever known. 'I am on the path to becoming a better woman, and that is something I will always be grateful for.' 12 Sophie is now a motivational speaker and has appeared on shows like Lorraine to talk about body positivity Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inspiring new Love Island star reveals why she keeps scarred skin in freezer after near-fatal fire-breathing accident
A FUTURE Love Island star has revealed why she keeps some of her scarred skin next to the peas in her freezer after narrowly escaping death during a fire-breathing trick. It's no secret that the sexiest singles from across the UK are recruited for Love Island. 12 Sophie Lee will be joining the Love Island villa next month Credit: Instagram 12 The former fire breather suffered horror burns when an air-con unit blew flames back in her face Credit: Instagram 12 She was performing a fire-breathing trick at the time Credit: Instagram 12 The accident caused her life-long scars Credit: Instagram But when the ITV2 dating show returns next month, among the bronzed bodies and flirtatious banter one contestant is set to redefine what it means to be beautiful and bold on TV. Author and Shakira Khan and make-up artist Lucy Quinn. Sophie, 29, from Manchester, is no stranger to the spotlight. Before the Instagram followers, magazine features and influencer award nominations, Sophie was a fire-breathing stage performer whose career — and life — nearly ended in a horror accident. In her memoir, In My Skin, which details the painful accident, Sophie describes the moment that the fireball struck in the freak accident. Read more on TV 'Everyone gasped as I sprayed the paraffin out of my mouth,' she wrote. 'Through the gaps I had allowed to form between my eyelids, I saw a fireball launching towards my face, the heat was projecting back towards me but there was no time to protect myself. 'The whole thing happened in a split second but I can still play it through frame by frame. "The terrifying sight of the fire hurtling back to me, the scorching feeling on my face, my sharp intake of breath as the fire licked over my skin, starting to smell the unmistakable odour of burning hair. Most read in News TV 'I started to smell my skin burning, I could feel it creeping up my face. I was worried for my eyes, I was scared and my whole body felt cold. "I was on fire for less than 30 seconds, but that was all it took to scorch my skin, changing my appearance, and my life, for ever.' Love Island star reveals if she's returning to ITV show for a THIRD time The first time Sophie caught her reflection after the accident, it was an emotional gut punch. She continued: 'I looked like a monster, my life was over. I screamed and cried. The heat was projecting back towards me but there was no time to protect myself Sophie Lee 'I considered myself young, energetic, fit and full of life. All of that had been taken away from me. It will be remembered forever as the lowest point of my life.' That doesn't mean, however, that Sophie has any negative feelings towards her scars. 12 The fireball engulfed the woman's throat Credit: Instagram 12 The influencer was left unable to breather or eat alone Credit: Instagram "She has so much love for them, in fact, that not only is she open about her journey online, she has kept some of her scarred skin forever after it fell off following her surgery. Sophie explained: 'I didn't have the heart to throw it in the bin, so I found a small Tupperware box to put it in before putting it in the freezer. It's still there. Next to the peas, no big deal.' It is not just Sophie's beauty, therefore, that attracted A source said: 'Sophie is a gorgeous girl and a powerhouse of a woman who has overcome everything life has thrown at her. 'Love Island bosses are thrilled to give 'The series has always tried to be about more than just looks and Sophie is a classic example of an Islander with real substance. 'Now, Sophie's in the mix for this year's cast, with show executives deciding soon if she will be in the original line-up or come into the villa later as a bombshell.' I started to smell my skin burning, I could feel it creeping up my face Sophie Lee ITV this week announced Love Island would launch on June 9 but has not yet confirmed its cast. And it is a huge audience that Sophie will share her story with, as the show's 12 series have now been streamed two billion times on ITVX . When she was 22, Sophie was left fighting for her life when she caught fire during a performance in Chicago, which saw an air conditioning unit blow a fireball back towards her face and setting her ablaze. 12 The model now works with Sophie Piper's foundation Credit: Instagram 12 Her openness caught the attention of Love Island host Maya Jama Credit: Instagram Sophie recalled in an interview with Fabulous Magazine: 'The air-con was too strong so when I blew the fire out it blew back to me. It set me on fire. 'I just remember being in so much pain, I blacked out for a little bit. It's crazy.' What followed was a month in an intensive care unit in an American hospital, alone and disorientated, as machines helped her to breathe and nurses monitored her around the clock. 12 Sophie spent a month in intensive care Credit: Instagram 12 Sophie's scars turned into a facial deformity She had suffered severe burns to her head and chest. Then, as she recovered, a tumour began to develop where the skin had been most damaged. I couldn't breathe by myself, I couldn't eat, I couldn't really see Sophie Lee She added: 'That was a scary, scary time. I couldn't breathe by myself, I couldn't eat, I couldn't really see. 'I was pretty out of it but, on day two, I looked in the mirror and just cried.' While it felt like the end, Sophie now feels like it was the beginning. Stunning Sophie, who is a model, now works with Sophie Piper's foundation and regularly posts online about her process of healing from facial scarring, body positivity and self-love. Sophie has also become a successful beauty influencer, winning the Beauty Awards Influencer of the Year 2023, and was nominated for the Woman of the Hour Award. She has also modelled for countless campaigns and fashion companies over the past few years, including Missguided's LoveThySelf initiative, as well as featuring in a Netflix documentary. I wanted people to see I was owning my scars Sophie Lee A year after the accident, Sophie underwent cryosurgery, a freezing procedure to remove the tumour that had formed on her face, performed by a leading industry expert. She went on to receive multiple rounds of steroid injections to aid healing, and is open in sharing her routine with various creams and treatments to help diminish the effect of her scarring on her face. Now, Sophie keeps busy by using her online platform to tell her story, publishing her book last year as another way to challenge the concept of conventional beauty standards. 'I wanted to stand up for those who didn't fit in with society's beauty ideals,' she wrote. 'I wanted people to see I was owning my scars. 'I wanted to start telling my story and to show that, above all, I was grateful to be alive. 'I was terrified about the reaction, the internet can be a nasty place, but all I got back was kindness. People said I was unique, beautiful, brave. I knew I had to do more. 'I cried over my scars for a long time, I wished them away, but now I see things differently. I looked in the mirror and just cried Sophie Lee 'These days if I sense someone looking at me, I brush it off - I know people are curious, but back then, I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I didn't want to be different. 'Now, I wear my scars with pride . I feel stronger when I show myself: all of me. 'I'm done with hiding who I am.' Her openness caught the attention of big names, including Love Island's hostess While it might be her first time coming face to face with the show's host when she appears on ITV2 next month, there's no doubt Sophie won't be rattled by the show's hunky men, having already dated one. Scottish show star Ouzy See revealed that he was dating the influencer when they appeared together at the Beauty Awards in 2023, posing for photos on the red carpet. Ouzy, who dated Kady McDermott on the show, gushed over Sophie to The Sun: 'She's inspirational.' Now, I wear my scars with pride. I feel stronger when I show myself: all of me Sophie Lee There is little surprise, then, that Sophie is ready to head into the Love Island villa in search of romance, as well as more visibility for her message. She joins a list of other past islanders, including Sophie continued: 'If people were to take a message from my story, I'd say that beauty is always skin deep, and your life is perfect just as it is. 'You just need to be yourself and accepting of life's rollercoaster, so love your perfectly imperfect life. 'I developed a sense of independence that I hadn't experienced previously [after my accident], I grew an inner strength like none I'd ever known. 'I am on the path to becoming a better woman, and that is something I will always be grateful for.' 12 Sophie is now a motivational speaker and has appeared on shows like Lorraine to talk about body positivity Credit: Instagram 12 She says she is now proud of her scars and won't hide them Credit: Instagram
