Arabella Chi was searching for The One for a second time inside the Love Island: All Stars villa just one year ago. The reality star is six months pregnant with her first child, and it’s obvious that a lot has changed since then.
“If you’d told me this time last year I’d be expecting a baby with the love of my life, I wouldn’t have believed it at all”, says Arabella, who met her businessman boyfriend, Billy Henty, last year following her stint on the ITV2 dating show. As she explains how she and Billy met, how they are getting ready for parenthood, and which famous friends have been giving her advice on labor, Arabella, 33, claims that everything was “meant to be”…
Hi Arabella! Do you feel prepared for your little girl’s arrival?
We are quite prepared. She already has a bigger wardrobe than I do because we’ve been sent so many clothes. But I don’t want to be over-ready. I’d rather not buy too much before she’s here. We only have a one-bedroom apartment
at the moment so we can’t have too much. Moving while pregnant would be too much, according to people who say being pregnant is enough stress. However, we are moving in the summer. The first few months the baby is with you]in the bedroom] anyway, so we’ll make do.
Do you have a labor plan in place?
I assumed I would definitely need an epidural, but I was quite regimented. Billy and I both agreed that they couldn’t possibly do it without one. But now my mind is slightly changing. Ferne [McCann] and I had lunch yesterday, and she’s been talking to me about using nothing and gas during natural births. So I’m going to see how it turns out and feel a lot more tolerant of it. I may have an epidural, but I don’t need one for nothing. We are designed to give birth, so I’m going to make every effort to give birth as naturally as possible.
Have you always wanted children?
Yes, I’ve always wanted kids and I feel like it’s just finding the right person. I’m 33 and will turn 34 next month, which puts a lot of pressure on older people. However, it was one of those situations where I didn’t want to rush into it until I met the right person. At the back of my mind, I thought, ‘ I do hope that I find that person. ‘ But if it didn’t happen, it didn’t happen. But I’m so lucky that it happened by chance.
What kind of father will Billy be?
We’ve got]King Charles spaniel] Astro so I’ve seen him become a father figure to Astro and how much he’s taken on that role. Even the smallest things have been amazing for him, like the fact that we always have to take him for walks during the nighttime, which is the most exhausting experience. But Billy will always do it and say, ‘ You stay warm in here, ‘ which is really nice. So, I can already see how amazing he’ll be as a dad.
How did you meet Billy?
On the night of my previous Say It With event [for the jewelry brand she is working with], I met my boyfriend. After the launch, I went out for a few drinks with him because he was a friend of mine, so we met up and the rest is history. It was intended to be.
You’re working with Say It With again for a new Mother’s Day collection. Tell us about that…
I met Billy after my first launch, so I’m really happy to be working with them again. I believe this brand has even more significance for me. Everyone is aware of my full-fledged jewelry girl, who constantly wears jewelry. Even now, I still have my full pair of earrings in despite a chilly day. The “Mummy” necklace is my favorite because I’ve always called my mother “Mummy,” and I can wear it on her or give it to her. My little girl would be a great addition to my nickname.
The collection marks your first Mother’s Day as a mum-to-be. Is that exciting?
Yes, I know I’m not a mum yet, so it’s not a proper Mother’s Day, but I still feel like I’m a mum even though she’s not born yet. I already feel like a mother because she’s growing inside of me and that I can feel her. I’m not sure I’ll get any Mother’s Day gifts this year though. Billy’s the type of guy who surprises me at random times.
Are you watching Love Island: All Stars?
Yes, even Billy is watching it. We’re obsessed. It’s really nice to watch it every night while nursing a baby inside my stomach. It’s crazy to think I was there last year. I’m good friends with Elma]Pazar] so I was really happy when Sammy]Root] came in for Elma – it’s exactly what she needed. She put a lot into Ronnie]Vint] but I actually think Sammy is a better match for her, so it’s all worked out really well. I’d love to see them win. We’ll definitely be going for a catch-up when she gets home. I know Ekin-Su]Cülcüloglu] really well too.
You’ve been in the villa with quite a few of the Islanders. Are they being themselves?
I spent my first series with Curtis [Pritchard] in the villa, and I believe he is being sincere because he admitted that he sometimes needs a test in there because he did when he said he was concerned about getting too excited about things with Ekin-Su. However, he shouldn’t have said he wasn’t closed off before being, because doing so would only hurt the other person. He made a mistaken decision. Ekin-Su handled that situation really well though. Casey]O’Gorman] was
He didn’t really get along with anyone in All Stars the last time, as I did with him in the movie version of the same time. But this time around he’s met Gabby]Allen] and they’re a really good match.
How is life in the All Stars Villa like?
It was very different from my first experience because I believed I had All Stars’ full experience, whereas in my previous series, I assumed I had just a few seconds to think everything was over. Even though I would never want to go back to those times, like being left alone in the fire pit, it is a part of what you sign up for because you will be tested there. It’s all part of the journey. Because you’ve already done it before, everyone on All Stars is really understanding and lovely, which makes it less iffy.
Source: Mirror
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