Amber Davies Shines: From Love Island to Strictly and Legally Blonde Stardom!

During the climactic moment of last year’s Strictly Come Dancing semi-final, professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin made an emotional plea directly to the viewers: “I’m talking to the audience at home: please, just be kind!” He made this heartfelt request as his celebrity partner, Amber Davies, who previously won Love Island and competed on Dancing on Ice, and is also a musical theatre performer, faced harsh criticism online. “You’ve been receiving so much hate, every day,” Kuzmin remarked.

It’s bewildering that we must remind people to be kind to others, especially those simply performing their roles, I mention to Davies during our meeting in a bar at a London hotel. “It seems to be escalating,” Davies observes, noting her rise to prominence since 2017. She continues, “On platforms like TikTok, people really pile on. However, the harsh comments I received during Strictly seemed to predominantly come from an older demographic, not the younger viewers.”

Davies subscribes to the philosophy of ignoring detractors, radiating positivity with a beaming smile. The 29-year-old native of Denbigh, North Wales embodies a blend of girl-next-door charm and glamorous allure. Despite it being early Monday morning, she is fully prepared for a photo shoot, with flawless makeup accentuating her facial features and her hair slicked back, complemented by large gold earrings from the 1980s. Davies maintains a warm and approachable demeanor without revealing too much. She often discusses themes of personal growth and striving to be one’s best on her musical theatre podcast, “Call to Stage,” where she shares life mantras like “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” coming off as genuinely earnest.

The conversation shifts to her current tour with “Legally Blonde the Musical,” but the cultural impact of her participation in Strictly, where she was a finalist, cannot be ignored. “It’s as magical as everyone says. Being part of the Strictly experience is unparalleled. I’m truly sad it’s over,” she admits. She believes the show’s format is perfect as is and offers no suggestions for changes or new hosts. Her time on the show was filled with support, yet the online negativity still took a toll.

Much of the online criticism centered around her previous dance experience; she was a last-minute replacement for the injured Dani Dyer. Yet, similar background with fellow contestant Lewis Cope didn’t attract the same level of hostility. “It’s probably because I’m a woman,” Davies suggests, “I’m ambitious, and people often misinterpret confidence as arrogance. But if you appear too sweet, then you’re deemed insincere. It’s a no-win situation.” She was particularly irked by a newspaper article labeling her a diva, which stung more than the online comments. “They’re crafting a false narrative about me,” she expresses with frustration.

Davies is no stranger to such challenges. After winning Love Island, her debut major stage role was in the musical “9 to 5,” taking on the part originally played by Jane Fonda. Critics were quick to dismiss her as a mere reality TV star without proper credentials, ignoring her extensive background in dance and singing from a young age. “I’ve been performing since I was little, staging shows at home with my sister Jade and even charging our grandma to watch,” she recalls with a smile. By the age of 13, she was already traveling to London for training and moved there at 16 to study musical theatre at Urdang Academy, demonstrating her commitment and work ethic.

Post-graduation, Davies hustled for opportunities, from cruise ships to backup singing, until Love Island found her through Instagram. “That summer changed my life,” she reflects, having genuinely fallen in love on the show. Though her relationship with Kem Cetinay ended after five months, she remains in touch with his mother, highlighting her down-to-earth, family-oriented nature. Despite enjoying the glamorous life post-show, she felt something was missing, which led her back to musical theatre.

Since then, Davies has starred in several stage adaptations of popular films, including “Bring It On,” “Back to the Future,” “Pretty Woman,” “The Great Gatsby,” and now “Legally Blonde,” where she plays Elle Woods, the iconic role made famous by Reese Witherspoon. “When I learned it was touring again, I knew I had to audition. It’s a dream role,” she says excitedly. The musical, set in the present day, retains the essence of the original film, with Davies bringing her personal experiences to the character, which resonates deeply with her.

Fans of the film will appreciate that Elle’s signature “bend and snap” move is included in the choreography by Leah Hill, who brings a fresh perspective to the production. “Leah is incredibly innovative, blending different dance styles seamlessly. She’s definitely making her mark,” Davies praises.

Acknowledging the reality of the industry, Davies notes, “Film adaptations like these have been crucial for my career. It’s tough out there, and familiar stories draw bigger audiences. It would be wonderful to see more original works getting attention, but it’s a challenging climate.”

With a following of over a million on Instagram, Davies understands her market appeal, though she insists, “I’ve earned every role through hard work. I never take anything for granted.” She’s also quick to champion her sister Jade, a seasoned performer herself, whose success in the industry helped Davies gain respect when some doubted her credibility.

Davies’s personal life is just as fulfilling, shared with her boyfriend Ben Joyce, whom she met during “Back to the Future.” “He’s an incredible singer and genuinely the kindest person,” she gushes. They recently purchased a home in London, where a handwritten letter from Dolly Parton, whom Davies worked with in “9 to 5,” is proudly displayed. “Dolly is as sharp and private as they come, a real inspiration,” she shares.

Despite growing nerves, which Davies admits have worsened with age, her passion for musical theatre remains undiminished. “I want to keep doing this forever. Doing eight shows a week is my idea of happiness,” she beams, her future in the arts looking as bright as ever.

• Legally Blonde the Musical is on tour, starting at Curve, Leicester, on February 7th.