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Olivia Bowen lost Netflix presenting opportunity when COVID cancelled New York show

Name: Olivia Bowen lost Netflix presenting opportunity when COVID cancelled New York show
Uploaded: 2026-07-14T07:17:00+00:00
Description: Olivia Bowen was set to present the second series of Second Chance Dresses for Netflix in New York, with visa approved and apartment secured, when the pandemic cancelled the project. She and husband Alex were preparing to relocate to New York, which would have completely altered their life trajectory. She reflects that had this happened, she may never have had children.

We Need To Talk · Olivia Bowen: I Lost Myself After Giving Birth & What Love Island Never Showed · July 14, 2026

We Need To Talk

Olivia Bowen: I Lost Myself After Giving Birth & What Love Island Never Showed

"Second Chance Dresses got commissioned by Netflix to go and start up in New York and I was about to go and present the second series. It was all sorted. I got my visa. We had the boutique, met all the contributors, was ready to go. Flight was booked and COVID hit. So I was about to be a presenter on a show on Netflix. We were getting an apartment in New York."

Olivia Bowen was set to present the second series of Second Chance Dresses for Netflix in New York, with visa approved and apartment secured, when the pandemic cancelled the project. She and husband Alex were preparing to relocate to New York, which would have completely altered their life trajectory. She reflects that had this happened, she may never have had children.

About this episode

Olivia Bowen, one of Love Island UK's original breakout stars from the landmark 2016 series, sits down for an unflinching conversation about mental health struggles that have shadowed her seemingly glamorous life. The influencer and mother of two reveals she has battled disordered eating since age 11, unable to eat in front of others throughout her teenage years until Love Island inadvertently provided exposure therapy at age 22. Most strikingly, Bowen discloses that self-harm behaviors returned in her late twenties following the traumatic birth of her first child Abel, a revelation that shocked husband Alex when he discovered it. The couple, who married after meeting on Love Island, navigated severe postpartum struggles together, with both seeking separate therapy. Bowen also discusses experiencing vanishing twin syndrome during her second pregnancy with daughter Sienna, losing one twin at 9 weeks while the other continued developing, and a severe hemorrhage during Sienna's birth that made her believe she was dying. Throughout the conversation, she addresses the psychological toll of constant online criticism telling her she wasn't attractive enough for her husband, attacks that reinforced lifelong insecurities despite her public success. Bowen credits her father, with whom she now shares a close relationship, and her husband's unwavering support as anchors during her darkest periods. She reveals a missed opportunity to present a Netflix show in New York that was cancelled by COVID, and reflects on how speaking publicly about baby loss connected her with thousands of women who felt validated by her openness. The conversation challenges the polished Instagram image of the influencer with three million followers, revealing years of pain behind the posts.

Key takeaways

Olivia Bowen reveals self-harm behaviors continued into her late twenties after postpartum struggles, shocking husband Alex who discovered her actions
The Love Island star credits the 2016 reality show with curing decade-long disordered eating through forced exposure therapy during communal meals
Bowen experienced vanishing twin syndrome during second pregnancy, losing one twin at 9 weeks while carrying daughter Sienna to term
Reality star nearly died from severe hemorrhage during daughter's birth, believing she would leave son Abel motherless due to decision to have second child
Daily online abuse telling Bowen she was not attractive enough for husband Alex reinforced lifelong insecurities and contributed to eating disorder relapse
COVID pandemic cancelled confirmed Netflix presenting opportunity in New York that would have required family relocation and altered life trajectory
Both Bowen and husband Alex sought separate therapy to save marriage after postpartum period nearly broke them as neither could support the other