LOVE Island’s Arabella Chi has given an update from Dubai, and has insisted she feels safer there than in the UK despite the missile strikes.
The Islander, 34, who welcomed her daughter last May, moved out to the UAE last year as she wanted to start a new life abroad.
Since the weekend, Dubai, which has become home to a number of celebrities and influencers like Arabella, has been hit by missiles and drones.
The attack was launched by Iran in response to the US-Israel strikes against them and has left ex-pats and holiday makers fearing for their lives.
But today, Arabella, who shot to fame on Love Island in 2019, gave a candid update on how she is coping with the missile strikes.
The iconic Islander is living out in Dubai with her nine-month-old daughter Gigi, and her boyfriend Billy Henty.
In fact the family-of-three, who relocated out to the UAE last September, only just moved into their new villa a few weeks ago.
But their tranquil beachside bubble has been burst following the strikes.
Speaking to The Mail, she said: “When I moved to Dubai with my boyfriend Billy and our baby daughter, Gigi, in September last year I thought I was signing up for a glamorous lifestyle – year-round sunshine and the chance to raise my child in one of the safest places in the world.
“But nothing could have prepared us for the events of the past three days, which have been both terrifying and surreal.”
However, surprisingly Arabella said that she feels “safer” in Dubai than the UK.
“Right now, I do feel safe. The government is keeping us updated. On Saturday they sent out a warning to our phones, which was nerve-wracking,” she told the outlet.
“They’re saying we should only leave our homes when we need to.
“As a British citizen, I’ve been asked whether we plan to continue living in Dubai – and the answer is yes.
“This is our home. Even though everything feels frightening right now, our sense of security remains. I know I’m in the majority.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to agrees that, thanks to the government’s tight control here, it’s still safer than the UK, given the UK’s crime rates.”
Continuing, she revealed how everyone is rallying around each other, during this uncertain time.
“We are all supporting each other, and my community is very family focused,” Arabella revealed.
“I’m fortunate that my daughter, who is just nine months old, doesn’t understand what’s happening.
“I know parents whose children are aware of the attacks, and I can only imagine how frightening that must be. Many families are telling their kids it’s just fireworks.”
Arabella then added: “None of the missiles are hitting their targets, either, which shows just how impressive the city’s defence system is, even while being caught in the middle of this conflict.”
The star’s comments come just a few weeks after she picked up the keys to her new home in Dubai.
In an Instagram video she took fans on a tour where she showed off the sun-soaked apartment.
At one point Arabella opened the patio door and stepped outside, showing off the stunning views.
Arabella revealed her plans to move to Dubai last year, sharing a photo of her old home all packed up into boxes.
She wrote alongside it: “All boxed up and ready to move out.”
The new mum said her furniture would be getting cleaned before it gets shipped to the United Arab Emirates.
Arabella then shared a photo of the view from her flat in Battersea, before sharing a photo of her empty flat.
She captioned it: “Onto the next chapter,” with a flag of Dubai.
