All the bougie reality stars who escaped to Dubai, from Joey Essex to Love Is Blind star
Is there something in the air?
It seems like Dubai has become the go-to playground for reality TV stars. With its glitzy skyline, tax-free lifestyle, and non-stop luxury, more and more familiar faces from our favourite shows are packing up and heading to the UAE.
From sun-soaked brunches to sky-high apartments, Dubai has quickly turned into the new celebrity hotspot. And recently, several reality stars have joined the trend, here’s who’s making the desert their new home…
Bardha Krasniqi
Fresh from her breakout moment on Love Is Blind UK, Bardha Krasniqi has wasted no time soaking up the Dubai lifestyle.
Folks were quick to notice her Instagram feed shifting from cosy UK backdrops to glamorous Dubai hotspots. Whether it’s rooftop dinners or beach clubs, Bardha seems to be thriving in her new surroundings.
For someone who made such an impact on reality TV, it’s no surprise she’s opted for a city that matches her bold, stylish personality.
Joey Essex
Joey Essex is no stranger to chasing the high life, and Dubai feels like the perfect fit for him.
In 2023, The Sun reported the former TOWIE star planned on a move to the UAE after his home in the UK was broken into.
With his love for flashy cars, designer fashion, and luxury living, Dubai basically ticks all of Joey’s boxes. Plus, it’s a hotspot for fellow Brits abroad, so he’s definitely in good company.
Anton Danyluk
Anton, a Love Island alum who everyone came to love, also relocated around 2021. He’s since set up shop in Dubai, opened a gym called Junk Dubai and appears to be building out his influencer career life there, per OK!.
Arabella Chi
Another Love Island UK alum who’s opted to hop aboard the Dubai express is Arabella Chi.
By the looks of things, she’s absolutely thriving these days. She’s a businesswoman, mum, and jet-setting go-getter. Arabella is juggling modelling, being a mum to Gigi Harper, and sharing all her stunning snaps from Dubai these days.
Per her IG feed, she’s still loving it there after Daily Mail reported she planned the move back in July.
Yazmin Oukhellou
Former TOWIE star Yazmin Oukhellou is one of the bigger names in this shift over to Dubai.
She quit the show in 2021 and relocated halfway across the world. She is now working in real estate there and shows off her luxury pad in Dubai pretty often.
Amber Turner
Amber Turner has really committed to the move-to-Dubai life. After her split from Dan Edgar in 2023, she relocated to Dubai and has been posting a lot of her personal life there. We’re talking workouts, beach time, brunches, and nights out.
After the break-up, Amber handed over her shared dog with Dan when she decided to fully relocate. She’s not totally cut off from the UK scene, though, Amber still jets back for TOWIE filming sometimes.
Amber’s not just living in Dubai, she seems to be embracing the luxe life, sharing shots of her new routines, fashion, and her birthday celebrations at high-end spots like Atlantis The Royal.
Kate and Rio Ferdinand
Another major reality star family making the shift is Kate Ferdinand and her celebrity husband, Rio Ferdinand. They officially moved to Dubai recently with their children for what they describe as a “fresh start.”
The Ferdinands settled into Al Barari, an exclusive gated community. The move includes all five kids (their blended family). Kate has described the transition as “chaotic and dreamy,” via Gulf News, which sounds exactly how we’d expect expat life with kids to be.
Rio also seems to be using this as a professional pivot by leaving parts of his previous media work behind, exploring new opportunities in Dubai and the Middle East.
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