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HER on-screen romps made Amber Davies a household name as she triumphed on Love Island in 2017.
But two years later she admits the reality TV show could have cost her a credible career — until country star Dolly Parton took a chance to cast her in West End comedy musical 9 To 5.
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Today, after a raft of five-star reviews from critics and fans, Amber tells of her relief at finally shaking off the stigma of having sex on screen with then boyfriend Kem Cetinay and realising her dreams of big-stage success — with talk of Broadway and major TV dramas to follow.
In an exclusive interview, Amber says: “I had a lot to prove and, yes, I feared having sex on TV could have a negative impact on my acting career. My aim has been for people to stop thinking of me as Amber from Love Island.
“I was only 20 and I’ve realised now I had a lot of growing up to do — and I have done. People ask me if I just did Love Island as a fast track to the top. That wasn’t the case. I went for it on a whim. But I’ve put the hours in since and worked so hard to change people’s perception. So it’s a relief it has paid off.
“The 9 To 5 reviews have been amazing and the reaction from everyone has been that they’ve been pleasantly surprised. I can’t believe really senior people in the business have now been approaching me.”
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The role has seen Amber strike up a close friendship with music legend Dolly, who co-wrote the stage show and starred in the 1980 film version.
Dolly, 73, has become a mentor to Amber after admitting she sees herself in the young British star.
Amber plays Jane Fonda’s role of Judy Bernly from the 1980 flick, a satire about three female secretaries who decide to get revenge on their sexist boss by abducting him and running the business themselves.
She adds of Dolly: “We’ve met a few times and she seems to have taken me under her wing. She told me I’m precious. I couldn’t believe it — not only does Dolly know who I am, she wants to look out for me. She sees her 22-year-old self in me.”
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Louise Redknapp and Amber Davies to star in West End production of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical
Since splitting from Kem, Amber has been linked to several men including Liam Payne, who she enjoyed a brief flirtation with. She says: “I do know Liam — we have met and are still friends. But there’s nothing romantic happening.”
She adds: “It’s a tough one because people in the industry understand what people outside of the industry don’t understand. But sometimes it’s nicer to meet people who aren’t in the industry because they are just normal. Over the past year, I’ve realised I don’t know what I want — and that I’m definitely not ready for a relationship.”
Tonight at 9pm, ITVBe airs documentary Amber And Dolly: 9 To 5, charting the highs and lows of the Love Island star’s journey from reality TV to the West End stage.
It sees her sob as the anaesthetic wears off following an op to have her ears pinned due to her insecurity about appearing on stage in 9 To 5. She tells the camera: “My ears have knocked my confidence for years.”
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Amber now hopes 9 To 5, which highlights issues raised by the #MeToo movement, will show the challenges faced by young women in showbiz.
She says: “Violet, one of the characters, makes a joke because it’s obviously set in the Eighties and says, ‘Oh, I bet in ten years’ time there won’t be these issues.’ That’s the point of it, it is still an issue.
“I like to think my character is who I was when I was 16 — naive and didn’t know how to stand on her own two feet. Her journey is about surrounding yourself with people who want you to do well. It’s about female empowerment.”
She adds: “I’ve heard stories of women still having issues in the industry but I am the type to brush things off.”
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Despite the acclaim, Amber is still burning with ambitions.
She says: “One of my goals is Broadway but I’m only 22 and Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m also interested in TV work. I’m interested in other musicals and there’s reality shows I want to tick off, like Dancing On Ice and Strictly.
“But I value what I’ve got. I appreciate what Love Island did for me. It gave me a wake-up and I’ve had to grow up. I’ve clued up.
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“Coming into this industry, you have to have your head screwed on. You can’t trust everyone, only those closest to you because some people are out to get you.
“It would have been easy to make money fast. We’ve turned down offers for stuff that was easy money but wasn’t right for the long term.
“That’s sometimes hard to do — but I’m giving this everything.”
Amber Davies cries in agony after surgery to have her ears pinned back in Amber & Dolly 9 to 5
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