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LOVE ISLAND CONTESTANT SOPHIE LEE HAS OPENED UP ABOUT LIVING WITH A FACIAL DISFIGUREMENT KIMBERLY NHUNDU 20:06, 04 Jun 2025 Love Island star Sophie Lee has opened up about living with a

facial disfigurement, claiming she's just what the hit ITV dating series needs. The 29-year-old Mancunian motivational speaker was left with scars after an air-con unit blew flames at

her face and chest, during a fire-breathing performance. At just 22, Sophie faced the horror of developing a keloid tumour from the severe burns. She braved multiple high-stakes surgeries to

have it removed, and thankfully, they were a success. Now, the author is gearing up to strut into the villa next Monday (9 June), joining eleven other singletons on their quest for love.

Before diving into the Love Island experience, Sophie expressed how "refreshing" it is to see individuals with facial differences gaining visibility and a platform on such a

popular show. Article continues below In a candid conversation, she told journalists: "I think this is what Love Island needs," reports OK!. She reflected on her own viewing

experiences, noting: "When I've watched clips of Love Island on social media, I've never seen someone that has got, obviously there was Tasha Ghouri who's incredible, but

someone who's had a facial disfigurement, especially when the show is very much vanity based." Despite the flak Love Island has copped for its focus on looks, the inclusion of

Tasha Ghouri in 2022 was a game-changer. As the villa's first deaf islander, Tasha made waves by raising awareness about her disability. Sophie has been avidly championing her own

unique story. Prior to her stint in the villa, the ex-dancer has been chronicling her path to recovery on social media. Discussing her use of the platform for raising awareness, she admitted

that her goal is to be a voice for "people who don't have a voice," and those who feel invisible or ignored. It doesn't stop there, Sophie has also bared her soul in her

memoir, In My Skin: Learning to Love Your Perfectly Imperfect Life, which hit the shelves last year. She's determined to show the world she's just "a normal girl."

"I still like make-up, I still like looking cute. Even if I've got bandages on, I'm still going to wear my dress. I'm still going to wear my heels," she insisted.

Article continues below The reality star also wishes for young women tuning into the latest series of the ITV smash to realise they shouldn't chase impossible beauty ideals. _LOVE

ISLAND RETURNS TO ITV2 AND ITVX ON MONDAY, JUNE 9TH_