Luisa Zissman Returns to Britain from Dubai Amid Escalating Regional Conflict
Former Apprentice contestant Luisa Zissman has returned to the United Kingdom from her home in Dubai following days of missile strikes and drone attacks in the United Arab Emirates. The 38-year-old businesswoman and influencer shared details of her journey back to British soil, where she promptly reunited with close friends including Carrie Johnson, wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Margarita Meet-Up with Political and Celebrity Friends
On Wednesday, Zissman posted a beaming photograph on social media showing herself with Carrie Johnson, 37, along with best friend Anna Williamson and television executive Lucie Cave. The group enjoyed margaritas together in what Zissman described as a welcome home gathering. "Being in the UK isn't so bad when I'm with my best girls drinking margaritas," she wrote alongside the cheerful snapshot.
The influencer had originally planned to travel back to Britain this week to record episodes of her LuAnna podcast with co-host Anna Williamson, but decided to bring her two daughters—nine-year-old Indigo Esme and Clementine—along due to mounting concerns about being unable to return to Dubai. Zissman relocated to the UAE in December with her Irish millionaire husband Andrew Collins and two of her three children.
Contrasting Safety Perceptions Between Dubai and London
Despite the escalating conflict in Dubai, Zissman has been one of the most vocal Dubai-based influencers supporting the UAE government, declaring it the "safest country in the world" just last week. However, her return to London brought different safety concerns to the forefront. In a video shared from Chinatown, Zissman admitted feeling "really paranoid someone is going to steal my phone" and described herself as being in "my refugee era, displaced from my home."
She contrasted this with praise for her "very, very easy" journey home from Dubai, which involved traveling through Oman before flying from Muscat to Heathrow. "It was actually fine leaving, it was very, very easy," she explained. "We went through Oman, took us about 15 minutes to get through the border then flew out from Muscat to Heathrow."
Mixed Reactions from Dubai's Influencer Community
Zissman's return comes amid divided responses from influencers and reality stars based in Dubai regarding the security situation. While some continue to assert they feel "safe" in the emirate, others have openly discussed their fear during the recent attacks. The conflict stems from the US-Israel war against Iran, which has sparked chaos throughout the region.
According to UAE claims, Iran has fired 238 ballistic missiles at their territory since the strikes began, with 221 destroyed and only two reaching their intended targets. However, Iran has also deployed "suicide drones" in attacks on the Emirates. A recent night drone attack on two of Dubai's most upmarket areas resulted in one fatality and set residential skyscrapers ablaze.
Disruption to Travel and Daily Life in Dubai
The conflict has caused significant disruption in Dubai, with the international airport forced to close on Saturday after a suspected Iranian drone strike triggered a major explosion near the complex. Passengers were ordered off planes during the incident. Smoke was seen pluming from the 88-storey 23 Marina tower building near Dubai Marina after it was hit by debris from an intercepted Iranian drone.
In a March 4 post before her departure, Zissman revealed her concerns about potentially being unable to return to Dubai if she traveled to the UK for work. "I'm worried if I come back to the UK for work I won't be able to get back to Dubai," she stated, explaining her decision to bring her children along. She noted at the time that "the situation here seems to be fine to be honest" and that she could see "lots of passenger planes in the sky."
Now back in Britain, Zissman is settling into her temporary return, though she noted the climate difference with characteristic bluntness: "I'm very f**king cold and it's very grey." Her social media posts continue to document the transition from Dubai's perceived safety to London's different urban challenges, highlighting the complex realities facing international influencers during regional conflicts.
