Zara Mcdermott

Who is Zara McDermott?

Zara McDermott is a British television personality, model, and documentary presenter who gained prominence through her appearances on reality TV shows and has since transitioned into documentary filmmaking. Born on December 14, 1996, in Havering, London, England, she initially worked as a policy advisor for the Department for Education before entering the entertainment industry.

Early Life and Education

Zara Nicole McDermott was born on December 14, 1996, in the London Borough of Havering, England, to parents Alan and Karen McDermott.

Her father, Alan, is a singer and musician, while her mother, Karen, works as a school teacher.

She has a younger brother named Brad.

In 2009, at the age of 13, Zara and her family appeared on the BBC television series “Wanted Down Under,” where they explored the possibility of relocating to Australia. They revisited the show in 2013 to discuss their decision to remain in the United Kingdom.

Zara attended Colebourne Primary School in Birmingham, England, from 2008 to 2015, where she completed her A-levels.

During her school years, she faced bullying, and at 14, she was suspended after nude photos she had sent to a classmate circulated among students. This incident resurfaced during her time on “Love Island” when the photos were leaked again, leading her to address the issue in her BBC documentary, “Revenge Porn.”

Personal Life

Relationships

Zara’s personal life has been in the public eye, particularly her relationships:

• Adam Collard: Her relationship with fellow “Love Island” contestant Adam Collard was described as “toxic,” leading to their eventual breakup.

• Sam Thompson: In May 2019, Zara began dating “Made in Chelsea” star Sam Thompson. Their relationship faced challenges, including a publicized cheating scandal during her time on “The X Factor: Celebrity.” They reconciled but ultimately split in December 2024, citing busy schedules as a significant factor.

• Louis Tomlinson: As of March 2025, Zara is in a relationship with former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson. The couple has been spotted together on multiple occasions, including a romantic meal at a hotel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Insiders describe them as happy and taking things slowly, with Louis reportedly planning thoughtful excursions

  Detailed Bio Table

  Attribute	Details
  Full Name	Zara Nicole McDermott
  Date of Birth	December 14, 1996
  Place of Birth	Havering, London, England
  Parents	Alan and Karen McDermott
  Siblings	Younger brother, Brad McDermott
  Height	Approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
  Profession	Television personality, model, documentary presenter
  Net Worth	Estimated around £100,000 (as of 2021)

  Career

  Early Career

  Before entering the entertainment industry, Zara worked as a policy advisor for the Department for Education in the UK.

  Her role involved contributing to educational policies, showcasing her commitment to public service.

  Reality Television

  Zara’s transition to television began with her participation in the fourth series of “Love Island” in 2018. Entering the villa on Day 15, she coupled up with Adam Collard but was eliminated ten days later.

  This appearance catapulted her into the public eye, leading to further opportunities in reality TV.

  In 2019, Zara joined the cast of “Made in Chelsea,” appearing alongside her then-boyfriend, Sam Thompson. She remained on the show until 2020, offering viewers a glimpse into her personal life and relationship

• The same year, she competed in “The X Factor: Celebrity” as part of the group No Love Lost, alongside fellow “Love Island” alumni Eyal Booker, Samira Mighty, and Wes Nelson. The group was mentored by Louis Walsh and finished in eighth place.

  Documentary Work

  Transitioning from reality TV, Zara ventured into documentary filmmaking, focusing on pressing social issues:

  • “Zara McDermott: Revenge Porn” (2021): Drawing from her personal experiences, this BBC documentary delved into the non-consensual sharing of explicit images, shedding light on the emotional and legal ramifications.

  • “Zara McDermott: Uncovering Rape Culture” (2021): In this film, Zara examined the prevalence of rape culture in society, aiming to foster understanding and change.

  • “Zara McDermott: Disordered Eating” (2022): This documentary explored issues surrounding eating disorders and body image, topics close to Zara’s heart.

  Recent Projects

  In 2023, Zara made history as the first “Love Island” alumna to participate in “Strictly Come Dancing.” Partnered with professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, they were the fifth couple eliminated during Halloween Week.

• 

• She continued her documentary work with “Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge” (2023), “The Idaho Murders: Trial by TikTok” (2024), and “Inside Ibiza” (2024), further establishing her credibility as a presenter tackling complex subjects.

  In 2024, Zara launched her own women’s wear brand, Rise, reflecting her passion for fashion and entrepreneurship.

  Year	Career Milestone	Details
  2018	Love Island Appearance	Entered as a bombshell contestant, coupled with Adam Collard.
  2019	Joined Made in Chelsea	Featured on the show due to her relationship with Sam Thompson.
  2020	BBC Documentary Presenter	Hosted Revenge Porn and Uncovering Rape Culture documentaries.
  2021	Social Media Influencer	Gained millions of followers, promoting fashion & lifestyle brands.
  2022	Continued TV Appearances	Appeared in various reality and talk shows.
  2023	Strictly Come Dancing Contestant	Competed in the dance show but was eliminated early.
  2024	New Documentary Projects	Continued work on social issues with BBC documentaries.