Gemma Owen’s father Michael Owen is just as famous as David Beckham, but don’t expect their family to open up for a Beckham-style Netflix documentary any time soon.
“We’ve had a few talks of maybe doing something similar. But I think at the moment, probably not,” Gemma revealed to 9Honey at Flemington Racecourse for Derby Day.
“My younger brother and sisters are still quite young, so I think my family are quite keen to keep it all quite private. That’s how they like it … but never say never!”
READ MORE: The one thing Count Nikolai didn’t tell Princess Mary about his move to Australia
Her dad played football for clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester United for years and is known all around the world, but worked hard to protect his kids from his fame.
He and wife Louise were adamant about giving their four children a normal childhood away from the spotlight, but Gemma found it anyway when she went on Love Island UK in 2022.
Now, a year after placing second on the reality TV show, the whole world seems to be invested in her relationship status and it’s taken some getting used to.
“Coming off a show like that obviously comes with a load of amazing opportunities and, as with anything, there are some cons to that. Dating is potentially one of them,” Gemma says.
“It is quite hard, but it also comes with the territory now. It’s just one of those things you just get on with. It’s definitely different to how it was before the show.”
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
It’s just one more thing she has to learn how to navigate as she continues to carve out her own career separate from her dad’s legacy.
Gemma already runs a successful swimwear brand, OG Swimwear, and has more fashion projects in the works, as well as international appearances like the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The 20-year-old is excited to create a name and career for herself separate to her dad’s legacy, and Michael is hugely supportive.
“I want to do my own things, but always have that link back to my dad and the family … it’s not a bad thing, because we’re super close,” she says.
“He’s really inspiring. I’m lucky to have him,” she adds of her former footballer father.
“Family is so important to me, I’m really close to my family. I’m a real family girl.”
Gemma’s close with her younger siblings James, 17, Emily 16, and Jessica, 13, and is keen to see them carve out their own paths too one day.
While she won’t be pushing them to step into the spotlight with her, she won’t be warning them off either.
If that means one of them ends up on Love Island too, so be it.
Click the image below to see all the glamourous looks at Victoria Derby Day 2023 over at 9Honey Style.
“I let my younger siblings do whatever they like. It’s not something that I’m going to encourage them to do if they want to do it absolutely fine,” she says.
“I’ll be supportive, but similar to how my mum and dad would work with me. You know, they can make the decision and I’ll be there either way for them.”
Her parents were totally supportive of her going on Love Island, dad Michael even penning a sweet Instagram message to his daughter when she came second.
“What a special girl. So proud of you, @gemowen_1. Now get home as we’ve all missed you,” Michael wrote to her at the time.
Gemma was excited to get home to her family after weeks apart during filming but admits she was gobsmacked by the public reaction to one detail when she left the villa.
Fans went wild for her vintage Tiffany & Co X chain necklace, which is set with round brilliant cut diamonds and is said to be worth over $40,000.
READ MORE: Jesinta Franklin reveals why she ‘constantly feels guilty’ as a working mum
“I was so shocked when I came out! Everyone was obsessed with the necklace and I had honestly no idea,” Gemma says of the vintage piece with a laugh.
“But it’s really, really sweet. I love that necklace, I very rarely take it off.”
The Love Island alum made an exception for Derby Day, swapping her iconic necklace for glittering diamond jewellery courtesy of Melbourne jeweller Temelli.
A diamond necklace similar to the one Gemma was wearing goes for between $22,000 and $27,000 on the Temelli website.
It perfectly complimented her black custom Oglia Loro gown and classic hat from award-winning milliner Felicity Northeast, both designers based in Melbourne.
Gemma was clearly dressing to impress on Saturday, choosing to highlight local designers and exuding Derby Day glamour.
“It’s a real privilege to be out [for the Melbourne Cup Carnival]. It’s amazing. I can’t wait to see all the horses and the fashion,” she says.
“I’ve heard so many amazing things about the Melbourne Cup, so I’m really honoured to be here.”
An international dressage rider herself, Gemma has travelled around Europe competing and representing Great Britain, with 38 international starts.
