Love Island Star Arabella Chi Speaks Out Amid Dubai Chaos
Arabella Chi, the Dubai-based reality TV star from Love Island, has issued a heartfelt statement following the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The 34-year-old, who moved to Dubai over six months ago with her partner Billy Henty and their 10-month-old daughter Gigi, found herself amidst the turmoil that unfolded over the weekend.
Regional Strikes and Immediate Impact
Israel launched joint strikes targeting Iran and the United States, with explosions reported in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Missiles were also aimed at a US naval base in Qatar and other locations across the region. Arabella, who gained fame on the fifth series of ITV2's Love Island in 2019, revealed that her brother and sister-in-law are currently stranded in Dubai after a holiday, unable to return to the UK due to the disruptions.
Despite the frightening circumstances, Arabella insists she feels scared but safe. She stated, "Despite being scared, I do feel safe, so as it stands, we have no bags packed and we are not planning on leaving." She added that if conditions worsen, she might reconsider, but currently believes interceptions are managing threats effectively.
Safety Measures and Family Concerns
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Arabella explained to hosts Ed Balls and Susanna Reid that she and her partner have taken precautions. They cleared out a storage cupboard in their home as a potential refuge, noting, "We are in a house that has a lot of windows... in our storage cupboard there isn't any windows so if we did hear a bang that's where we would go." She emphasized staying away from windows, a challenge given their current living situation.
Arabella expressed concern for her family, saying, "My brother and my sister-in-law are stuck here, they were supposed to fly two days ago. They need to get back to the UK and hopefully there will be a solution to that soon." She described the initial scare on Saturday afternoon while on The Palm, where they heard a bang and saw interceptions in the sky, marking it as the most fearful moment of her life.
Praise for Government Response
The model commended the Emirates government for their handling of the crisis. She said, "It's a very, very scary time at the minute. It's obviously apprehensive because we don't know what's coming but we're in good hands. The government have been amazing." Arabella highlighted an incident where the Fairmont hotel was hit, reinforcing the gravity of the situation but maintaining confidence in local authorities.
Arabella, who typically shares updates about her glamorous life in Dubai on social media, has now shifted focus to the ongoing horrors. She concluded, "It's been scary but we're safe, which is the main thing." Her story underscores the personal impacts of global conflicts on expatriates and celebrities alike.
