Amber Davies feared Love Island ruined theatre career

Amber Davies, who rose to fame after winning the 2017 season of the reality show 'Love Island,' has revealed her deep-seated fears that the show would irrevocably damage her aspirations of a career in musical theatre. Davies admitted that she spent a significant portion of the years immediately following her win consumed by anxiety, constantly questioning whether she would ever be able to return to the stage.

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I actually look back and wish I'd enjoyed the few years after a little bit more, because I was anxious. I spent a lot of that time being anxious that I’d ruined any chance of having a musical theatre career. If I’d have just known that it was going to work out, I wish I’d just enjoyed it a little bit more.

Speaking ahead of the Dublin run of 'Legally Blonde The Musical,' Davies reflected on that period, expressing a wish that she had savored those initial post-'Love Island' years more. "I actually look back and wish I'd enjoyed the few years after a little bit more, because I was anxious," she told RTÉ Entertainment. "I spent a lot of that time being anxious that I’d ruined any chance of having a musical theatre career. If I’d have just known that it was going to work out, I wish I’d just enjoyed it a little bit more."

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I feel more connected to her now than I did growing up. I didn’t really understand the message of the story. I was more visually impressed because she was this beautiful woman and intelligent, and she was everything. She could be everything all at once, which women can be. But as I’ve grown up and I see how she was underestimated, and I have had a similar route in my career, I actually feel like I can relate to her more than ever.

Currently portraying Elle Woods in the touring production of 'Legally Blonde,' Davies finds the role has gained deeper meaning as she has aged. Initially drawn to Elle's confidence and glamour, Davies now connects more profoundly with the character's journey of overcoming underestimation. "I feel more connected to her now than I did growing up," she explained. "I didn’t really understand the message of the story. I was more visually impressed because she was this beautiful woman and intelligent, and she was everything. She could be everything all at once, which women can be. But as I’ve grown up and I see how she was underestimated, and I have had a similar route in my career, I actually feel like I can relate to her more than ever."

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I want little girls and teenage girls and even women of all ages to come and watch and feel inspired and feel confident and feel motivated. And if I can do that in any way, then I’ve done my job.

Davies hopes that her performance inspires young girls and women, encouraging them to feel confident and motivated. Her recent participation in 'Strictly Come Dancing' also played a role in easing her return to the rigorous demands of musical theatre. She described the experience as incredibly challenging but ultimately character-building, teaching her to embrace discomfort. "I think what it taught me the most is being so uncomfortable in Strictly, with all of the different styles, made me so comfortable as soon as I stepped foot on stage as Elle," Davies stated. She is particularly looking forward to performing in front of Irish audiences, whom she anticipates will respond enthusiastically to the emotional range of 'Legally Blonde.'

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It was one of the best experiences of my life. It was so hard. It was so challenging mentally, physically, character-building in ways that you can’t even possibly imagine. I think what it taught me the most is being so uncomfortable in Strictly, with all of the different styles, made me so comfortable as soon as I stepped foot on stage as Elle.