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.
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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.
“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.
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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.
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