It’s no secret that the Love Island experience can be up and down, which is why Tasha Ghouri’s dad hid a ‘supportive note’ in her bag.
The show’s first-ever deaf contestant, 23, has won hearts since the latest season began, and now her dad has opened up about her in an interview with OK! Magazine. Watch her discuss deafness below:
Tarek Ghouri, 55, told the news outlet: “She does have a letter in her bag from me that she can get out at any time during the show when she needs some support, and if she needs it she will pull it out, for sure.”
He explained that he was full of ‘pride’ when his daughter explained to her fellow islanders that she lives with a cochlear implant shortly after the show began.
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The proud dad said he was 'blown away' with how his daughter has conducted herself on the show.
“The way she approached her hearing and explained to people about the cochlear implant was absolutely fantastic and a big moment of pride for me," he admitted.
Tarek explained that he is particularly proud of his daughter for raising awareness of issues faced by the deaf community.
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“It’s absolutely important,” he said. “It’s one of the reasons she is so happy to be on Love Island.”
He went on to say his daughter had a lightbulb moment when it came to accepting her condition.
“Something clicked and she thought: ‘This is me and I have to accept this and I am not going to let this stop me.’ And where she is now proves that,” he said.
He explained his daughter had been raising awareness prior to her stint on Love Island through Instagram.
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Tarek said: “Outside of modelling and dancing, she spends a lot of time raising awareness with her Instagram page Talks With Tasha – she is often inundated with messages from young kids saying how they are inspired by her.”
He explained that this ‘inspires’ Tasha too and encourages her to keep up her good work.
Tasha is currently embroiled in the show’s love triangle as she is speaking to Gemma’s ex Jacques, who sensationally entered the villa the other night.
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She is officially coupled up with Andrew, who her dad believes has shown her ‘true emotion’ and treated her ‘respectfully’ so far.
He added that his daughter is a peacemaker, a skill which he believes could help her to shine even more as the show unfolds.
Love Island continues tonight on ITV2 at 9:00pm.
Topics: Love Island
Emma Guinness