How Zara McDermott DOUBLE her wealth and why she could be ‘next Maya Jama’

FROM Love Islander to acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Zara McDermott proves she has what it takes to carve out a career in television.

And now she has launched a brand new two-part BBC documentary exploring the impact of stalking, further cementing herself as a force not to be reckoned with.

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It comes after she made TV history during her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, where she became the first ever Love Islander to grace the dance floor on the glitzy prime time show on Saturday night.

It catapulted her career and in 2023 the 27-year-old’s fortune rose from £142,726 to £309,913 in the space of 12 months, according to Companies House accounts.

Zara’s stint also paved the way for a brand partnership with L’Oréal and the launch of its clothing line Rise with Tesco. This summer she was also the frontwoman of ‘Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island’, where she investigated what makes Ibiza tick.

And with the full details of her latest venture yet to be revealed, experts say she’s going to be ‘the one to watch’, and she could even be the ‘next Maya Jama’.

Joseph Hagan, celebrity publicist and owner of Streamline PR says: “Zara McDermott’s journey from Love Island candidate for a successful TV presenter and documentary maker is nothing short of impressive.

“While many reality stars struggle to shake the label of ‘former contestant’, Zara has expertly repositioned itself as a serious content creator and presenter.

“Her recent financial growth, which has seen her wealth double from £142,726 to £309,913 in just one year, is a testament to her strategic brand change and rise in the media world.”

Zara’s huge success on TV is a marked change in direction from where her career started.

She worked for the Ministry of Education as a policy advisor before entering the Mallorcan villa for the fourth series of Love Island in 2018.

Essex girl Zara made her entrance into the Love Island villa two weeks into the programme.

She was promptly chosen by Adam Collard, who caused controversy by ending his partnership with Kendall Rae-Knight in favor of linking up with Zara.

Although the boys packed her up four weeks into the series and separated her from Adam, he decided to stay in the villa.

But it wasn’t the end for the couple who dated for seven months after the show ended.

While the increasing number of Love Island seasons has arguably led to viewer fatigue and an oversaturated influencer market, Zara has continued to make its mark.

Using high-profile collaborations and documentary work, Zara has shown that she can engage audiences with serious issues while still maintaining her relatable, girl-next-door persona.

Joseph Hagan

Joseph says, “With so many competitors vying for attention, it’s harder than ever to stand out.

“In addition, the new duty of care protocols introduced in 2023 prevent participants from having friends and family post on their behalf while in the villa.

“This social media ban makes it harder for newer participants to grow their audience in real time, underscoring the importance of being able to tap into other areas post-show to cultivate a loyal fan base, as Zara has done.”

Since leaving the villa six years ago, savvy Zara has managed to distance herself from the reality star image and build a career of her own.

Joseph says: “While other Love Island alumni often find themselves in the role of influencer, Zara has chosen a different path, focusing on producing thought-provoking documentaries for the BBC and releasing her own fitness range.

“This pivot has helped her gain credibility in the industry, allowing her to build a unique identity that stands out from her Love Island roots.”

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The ‘Maya Jama Effect’

Like Maya Jama, who has made the transition from radio presenter to one of Britain’s most sought-after TV presenters, Zara has used the tricks of the trade to rebrand itself.

Joseph says: “Using high-profile collaborations and documentary work, Zara has shown that she can engage audiences on serious issues while still maintaining her relatable, girl-next-door personality.

“This dual approach, which combines glamor with intelligence, reflects the successful formula that has worked for other stars like Maya.”

From scandal to success

Despite challenges on Strictly Come Dancing, including publicity issues with her former dance partner Graziano Di Prima and claims he ‘kicked’ her, Zara has managed to turn a difficult situation into an opportunity for growth.

Joseph says: “Her ability to stay focused and continue to deliver high-quality content has only enhanced her reputation.

“Her new fitness line, ‘Rise’, with Tesco, further demonstrates her growing influence beyond television, positioning herself as a lifestyle brand.”

An ‘extra layer’

Zara’s current relationship with Sam Thompson, who found fame on Made in Chelsea, has also opened the door to new audiences for both.

Joseph says: “By appearing on shows such as Celebs Go Dating and Made in Chelsea, Sam has built a clear fan base, which in turn has increased Zara’s visibility.

“This exposure to different target demographics has provided an additional layer of relevance beyond Zara’s Love Island past.”

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A ‘media mogul’

As Zara continues to develop her career, her ability to navigate the often tricky world of TV and media shows no signs of slowing down.

Joseph says: “With the support of renowned brands and an ever-expanding portfolio of serious work, Zara’s transformation from reality star to media mogul is far from over.”

How did Zara become so respected?

By means of Carol Driver, a journalist and PR expert

Figures showing Zara McDermott has doubled her income in the past year to more than £309,000 since appearing on Strictly Come Dancing come as no surprise.

While getting onto the BBC1 show would have been a crucial milestone for the TV presenter, this boost in earnings can’t be entirely attributed to waltzing around the dancefloor.

Zara’s continued presence on our TV screens – and the resulting financial gains – are not an overnight success.

Zara will have a very smart business strategy – and she has been working on it for years.

Since we first saw Zara on Love Island, she has built an incredibly loyal audience (now two million on Instagram) and in turn has escalated her brand and appeal.

And she has said yes to lucrative brand deals with household names such as L’Oréal and Tesco.

With her continued work on BBC documentaries, including ‘Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island’, Zara has moved on to more serious TV shows, cleverly positioning her as a credible presenter.

It’s a similar journey from reality TV star to popular TV host that we’ve seen with Maya Jama.

Like Maya, Zara’s ability to connect with a wide audience while taking on serious presenting roles could cement her as a respected media personality.