Former Love Island star Arabella Chi is absolutely glowing. Motherhood clearly suits her, as she gives us a glimpse of adorable baby Gigi with partner Billly Henty in an exclusive shoot
She is barely a month into motherhood, and Arabella Chi – model, influencer and one of Love Island’s most unforgettable bombshells – is basking in the baby bubble. And while the days, she admits in an exclusive shoot with OK! , are a blur of nappies, naps and nighttime feeds, she’s glowing.
Sitting down with us, the 34-year-old shares the beautiful journey of welcoming her first child, Gigi Harper Henty, into the world with boyfriend Billy Henty, 38. And her journey has been quite a whirlwind. Arabella, who first appeared on 2019’s Love Island before returning for Love Island All Stars last January, had a rollercoaster in the romance stakes – but it’s all-change now.
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She first revealed her relationship with businessman Billy in September 2024, when the pair jetted off for a sunny holiday to Santorini together, documenting the picture-postcard trip via Instagram. Just three months later, the couple revealed they were expecting their first child in a joint Instagram post, in which they wrote, “Due May 2025” in the sand on a Dubai beach, before a clip showed Billy cradling Arabella’s blossoming baby bump.
“I look at her and I think, I grew that,” Arabella says, her voice full of awe. “Her tiny ears, her lashes, the way she moves – it’s just magical.” Arabella has carved a career that blends high fashion, fitness and social influence, but nothing compares to this chapter, she smiles. Gigi, who arrived two days early, has transformed Arabella’s world. “The second she was born,” she says, “life made sense.”
As she recalls holding Gigi tight for the first time, her eyes well up. “I was absolutely petrified when they did skin to skin,” she confesses with a laugh. “I was like, ‘How do I even hold her?’ She felt so fragile, so precious. I was terrified of dropping her! But maternal instinct really does kick in. Everyone tells you that – and now I know it’s true.”
Born after an exhausting but complication- free 16-hour labour, Gigi made her entrance into a room filled with love. Arabella was supported by her mum, five midwives and Billy, who was her rock throughout. “He cried. I cried. Everyone cried! He said to me afterwards, ‘I’ve got a new level of respect for you.’”
It’s a moment she’ll never forget and, thanks to Billy who recorded it on his phone, it’s one they’ll be able to revisit. “It’s just for our family,” Arabella says, quietly. “Something sacred, something special for us to treasure forever.”
Announcing the happy news on Instagram, the new mum said, “Our worlds are complete. Gigi Harper Henty. 20/05/2025. 6.2 lbs.” Celeb pals and fans sent messages of congratulations as Claudia Fogarty, who recently announced her own pregnancy, wrote, “Aww congratulations gorgeous girl, she is just beautiful.Sending lots of love to you both xxx”, while Samira Mighty gushed, “Congratulations sweetheart.”
Finding the perfect name for their bundle of joy took a little compromise for the couple. “My boyfriend loves really traditional names and I’m the complete opposite,” Arabella admits. “I love the unusual, the unique. My own name is pretty out there, after all!”
The two thought they’d never agree and, after countless discussions, someone casually dropped the name Gigi into conversation. “We just looked at each other and said, ‘That’s it.’” For now Gigi is, she says, her dad’s double. “She’s a carbon copy of Billy,” Arabella giggles. “I keep looking for a bit of me in her, but for now she’s all Billy!”
The early days of motherhood have been a whirlwind, but Arabella wouldn’t have it any other way. “People always say, ‘You won’t have time for anything’, and now I get it. You never know how long she’ll nap, so I’m rushing to tidy up, throw in some laundry… but I try to nap once a day, just for recovery.
And recovery involves plenty of self-care. “At first I felt amazing. I was out at lunch with friends, being social, but I definitely did it backwards. Now, I’m slowing down. I’m making time for reflexology and massages at home.”
Arabella is mindful of the reality behind the Instagram photos. After posting a snap of her postpartum body, some less than kind comments rolled in. “People forget I went through 16 hours of labour. They see one image and assume it was glamorous. It wasn’t. I was sweating, exhausted, saying to my mum, ‘I’ve got nothing left to push!’ But this is my lifestyle. I’ve always trained hard and been healthy.”
Arabella was honest about her fears of childbirth. “I was petrified,” she admits, but when Gigi decided to arrive a couple of days early, everything kicked into gear. “I had an epidural, which I planned to do. Hats off to anyone who does it without – I have a new level of respect for them – but, for me, the epidural was a godsend.”
As for a push present? “I’m still waiting!” she says. “I’d love a piece of jewellery I can hand down to Gigi someday – something really sentimental.”
Arabella’s love for Billy – who was on leave for the first few weeks of Gigi’s life – is clear. “We had two full weeks together in that baby bubble,” she beams. “It was really special. Seeing him as a dad, it’s made me fall more in love with our little family.”
That family includes Astro, their beloved pooch, who has become very protective of Gigi, she says. “He’s been amazing. If she cries, he barks at us like, ‘Why are you hurting her?!’ It’s adorable.”
While the past three weeks have been full of heart-bursting joy, Arabella has found a new level of strength. Known for being as strong and straight-talking as she is glamorous, becoming a mum is a different ball game. “When you’re sleep-deprived and still have to give everything to this tiny person – it’s the truest strength I’ve ever known,” says Arabella.”
And although every moment with her daughter is precious, mornings are particularly special. “When she first wakes up, she’s just so cute and calm.” It’s a moment of peace Arabella cherishes – soft cuddles, gentle gurgles and the quiet calm of a new day. “The mornings are magic,” she says.
And yes, she’s already thinking about the years ahead. “I’m really close with my mum, and I want Gigi to have that with me. She’s already got Billy wrapped around her little finger. I can’t imagine what she’ll be like when she’s older!”
Throughout all this, Arabella is managing to find balance, with special events on the horizon such Olivia Hawkins’ upcoming 30th birthday. Olivia, who is good friends with Arabella and appeared on Love Island in 2023, is planning a big celebration and Arabella says she is excited to attend – but knows exactly where her attention will be. “I’ll definitely be missing Gigi!”
For now, Arabella is embracing every moment. “You don’t get this time back,” she says. “Yes, it’s exhausting. Yes, it’s overwhelming, but it’s also the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced.”
So, what’s next for the Chi-Henty clan? “Just enjoying our little family for now,” she smiles. “Taking it all in. Watching Gigi grow. Being present.” And as Arabella gazes down at her daughter, besotted, it’s clear she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Source: Mirror
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