Former Apprentice contestant Luisa Zissman has sparked controversy by mocking tourists who evacuated Dubai during recent regional hostilities, suggesting they are exaggerating their experiences. The 38-year-old influencer, who returned to the United Kingdom this week, shared a meme on Instagram that appeared to belittle those expressing fear about the situation in the United Arab Emirates.
Influencer's Return Amid Regional Tensions
Zissman, who relocated to Dubai in December with two of her three children and her Irish millionaire husband Andrew Collins, arrived back in Britain on Monday. She explained to her 712,000 Instagram followers that she had always planned to return this week to record episodes of her LuAnna podcast, but decided to bring her daughters Indigo Esme, nine, and Clementine due to concerns about potential travel restrictions.
Social Media Commentary and Contradictions
On Tuesday, Zissman posted a clip featuring the classic bored Cillian Murphy meme with text reading: "Everyone in (UAE flags) seeing tourists talk in interviews like they just came back from the frontlines." This came just days after she had declared the UAE to be "the safest country in the world" despite ongoing missile strikes and suicide drone attacks in the region.
Earlier that same day, the reality television star had posted a contradictory video from London's Chinatown, declaring herself to be in "my refugee era, displaced from my home." She expressed paranoia about potential phone theft in London, stating: "I'm really paranoid someone is going to steal my phone."
Journey Details and Previous Assurances
Zissman described her departure from the region as "very, very easy," explaining that she traveled through Oman, which took approximately fifteen minutes at the border, before flying from Muscat to Heathrow. This contrasted with her social media posts from just five days earlier, when she had assured followers from her Dubai home that "everything is fine."
The influencer is among numerous celebrities who have relocated to the tax-free haven in recent years, drawn by its sun-soaked lifestyle. However, the security situation has become increasingly complex since US-Israeli military actions against Iran sparked regional instability affecting the Emirates.
Regional Security Context
According to UAE authorities, Iran has launched 238 ballistic missiles at their territory since hostilities began, with 221 intercepted and only two reaching their intended targets. However, Iran has also deployed "suicide drones" in attacks against the Emirates, resulting in significant incidents over recent weekends.
A nighttime drone attack on two of Dubai's most exclusive areas left one Pakistani driver dead and caused fires in residential skyscrapers. The 88-storey 23 Marina tower near Dubai Marina was struck by debris from an intercepted Iranian drone, while material falling from the 19-storey Azayez Tower in Al Barsha killed the driver below.
Dubai International Airport was forced to close temporarily on Saturday following a suspected Iranian drone strike that triggered a substantial explosion near the complex, requiring passengers to disembark from aircraft.
Mixed Responses from Dubai Residents
There has been considerable variation in how influencers and reality stars based in Dubai have responded to the security situation. While some, like Zissman, have consistently maintained that they feel safe, others have openly discussed their fear during the missile strikes.
In a March 4 post, Zissman revealed her concerns about potential travel restrictions, stating: "I'm worried if I come back to the UK for work I won't be able to get back to Dubai, so will take the children with me and see my parents too." Despite these concerns, she simultaneously posted videos showing herself walking her dog and claiming to be "loving life" while noting she could hear passenger planes overhead.
As attitudes among some influencers have shifted during the second weekend of strikes, Zissman remains one of the most prominent voices continuing to portray Dubai in a positive light despite the evolving regional security challenges.
