A few years ago, if you knew the name Gemma Owen, it was probably because of her father. Then she walked into the Love Island villa in 2022 and became a household name in her own right, finishing as runner‑up with Luca Bish at just 19, and since then she has quietly built a life that looks very different from the typical reality‑star trajectory.

4 related posts

Love Island Season: 8 ·
Age at Entry: 19 ·
Placement: Runner‑up ·
Father: Michael Owen ·
Occupation: International dressage rider

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact breakup date with Luca Bish
  • Net worth details
  • Whether she will return to reality TV (e.g., Love Island All Stars)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Remains active in dressage with a reduced public social‑media presence (Famous Birthdays)
  • Likely to continue building her equestrian career (Famous Birthdays)

Here are the key biographical details for Gemma Owen:

Attribute Value
Full Name Gemma Rose Owen
Age (as of 2025) 22
Born 2003 (Love Island Wiki)
Occupation Dressage rider, influencer
Known for Love Island Season 8
Father Michael Owen (Screen Rant)
Instagram @gemowen_1 and @gemowendressage_

Which Love Island was Gemma Owen in?

Gemma Owen was an Islander on the eighth season of the revived ITV2 series Love Island, which aired in 2022. She entered the villa on Day 1 (Love Island Wiki) and stayed until the final, finishing as runner‑up alongside her partner Luca Bish.

What season was Gemma Owen on?

  • Season 8 of the UK Love Island revival (2022).
  • The season ran for 58 days, with Gemma surviving every recoupling until the finale.

Who was her partner on the show?

She was coupled with fishmonger Luca Bish from Brighton. The pair were fan‑favourites but lost the public vote to Ekin‑Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti.

Why this matters: Gemma’s runner‑up finish is a rare achievement for a contestant who entered on opening night — most finalists join later in the season. It speaks to her natural screen presence and the audience’s investment in her relationship with Luca.

How old was Gemma Owen in Love Island?

Gemma Owen was born on 1 May 2003 (Love Island Wiki). When she walked into the villa in June 2022, she was 19 years old (Screen Rant), making her the youngest contestant that season.

What is Gemma Owen’s current age?

As of 2025, Gemma is 22 years old. She celebrated her 22nd birthday in May 2025.

The trade‑off

Being the youngest Islander gave Gemma a kind of “little sister” edit, but it also meant she faced more scrutiny than older contestants. The public often questioned her maturity — especially during arguments about trust with Luca.

Implication: Age played a central role in how the narrative framed her — younger than most, but poised enough to reach the final.

Are Gemma and Luca still together from Love Island?

No. Gemma Owen and Luca Bish ended their relationship in 2023 after more than a year together following the show. The split was amicable, with both prioritising their individual careers (Screen Rant).

When did Gemma and Luca split?

The exact month is not publicly confirmed, but reports from late 2023 indicate they had quietly separated. Neither party made a dramatic announcement; the breakup emerged through fan observation of their social‑media activity.

What this means: Unlike many Love Island couples who turn their breakup into content, Gemma and Luca chose a low‑key exit — a choice that aligns with Gemma’s overall preference for privacy.

Why did Luca and Gemma split up?

  • According to Screen Rant, the split was amicable and driven by their desire to focus on personal growth and career development.
  • No public conflicts or cheating rumours were reported.

Were there any conflicts?

During the show, Gemma and Luca had heated arguments — the most memorable being over her friendship with fellow Islander Billy Brown. But after the villa, any tension seemed to settle. Friends close to the couple described the breakup as “mutual” and “without drama.”

The pattern: Gemma has consistently chosen quiet exits, both from the show and from her relationship. That restraint is unusual for a reality‑star ecosystem built on public drama.

Who was Gemma Owen’s ex on Love Island?

Gemma Owen entered Love Island as a single woman with no prior public relationships. The show does not require contestants to disclose past partners, and no ex‑boyfriend or ex‑girlfriend appeared during the season.

Is there any public information about her previous relationships?

  • Gemma has never named a former boyfriend in interviews or on social media.
  • Fans on Famous Birthdays note that she launched her Instagram in April 2018, but no relationship timeline is visible before Love Island.

The upshot: Gemma’s pre‑Love Island romantic history is a blank slate — and she has chosen to keep it that way. For a public figure, that degree of privacy is increasingly rare.

Timeline

  • 2022 – Appeared on Love Island Season 8; finished runner‑up with Luca Bish.
  • 2023 – Broke up with Luca Bish after more than a year together.
  • 2024 – Continued to compete in dressage events and build her equestrian career (Famous Birthdays).
  • 2025 – Remains active in the dressage community with a reduced public social‑media presence.

The pattern: Gemma has consistently moved away from the public eye after each milestone.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Gemma Owen was on Love Island Season 8, age 19, runner‑up.
  • She is the daughter of Michael Owen (Screen Rant).
  • She is an international dressage rider (Love Island Wiki).

What’s unclear

  • Exact breakup date with Luca Bish.
  • Net worth details.
  • Whether she will return to reality TV.

The takeaway: Most key facts about Gemma are confirmed, but some details remain private.

Quotes and perspectives

“She was kinda looked at as the next Molly‑Mae but honestly she has completely faded now.”

— Reddit user, in a discussion about Gemma Owen’s post‑Love Island visibility

“Gemma Rose Owen was an Islander on Season 8 of the revived series of Love Island.”

— Love Island Wiki

These perspectives highlight the public’s perception of Gemma’s post-show trajectory.

For Gemma Owen, the path after Love Island has been deliberately understated. Instead of chasing the influencer spotlight full‑time, she has returned to the dressage arena — a choice that sets her apart from nearly every other finalist. The trade‑off is clear: fewer headlines, but a career built on genuine skill rather than fleeting fame. For a young woman who could have leaned entirely on her father’s name or reality‑TV notoriety, the pivot back to equestrian sport says more about her priorities than any Instagram post ever could.

Related reading: Love Island Heart Rate Challenge – Rules, Moments and History

For more on how her journey continued after the villa, read about her split from Luca Bish.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is Gemma Owen’s net worth?

Net worth figures are not publicly verified. Estimates vary widely and are often based on speculation from unconfirmed sources.

Does Gemma Owen have any siblings?

Yes, she has three siblings: two sisters and one brother. She is the eldest daughter of Michael Owen and Louise Bonsall (Screen Rant).

What are Gemma Owen’s social media accounts?

Her main Instagram is @gemowen_1; her dressage‑focused account is @gemowendressage_.

Is Gemma Owen planning to return to Love Island All Stars?

As of 2025, there has been no confirmed interest from Gemma or the show’s producers.

What breed of horses does Gemma Owen ride?

She competes in dressage on sport horses, though specific breed names are not publicly listed.

How did Gemma Owen get into dressage?

She began riding as a child and progressed to international competition. According to Famous Birthdays, she competed in the 2021 European Championships.