ZARA McDermott has been praised by many famous faces including the likes of Jacqueline Jossa after bravely talking out about her revenge porn experience.
It comes after the Love Island star‘s new documentary – Zara McDermott: Revenge Porn – aired earlier today on BBC iPlayer.
The reality favourite, 24, wanted to highlight the pain and suffering that many young people go through when their intimate pictures get leaked online.
Zara, who admitted she felt suicidal when it happened to her, has used her platform to speak out for others victims of the awful crime as she herself knows how hard it is to deal with.
The first time it happened to her was when she was just 14-years-old, after she felt pressured to send a naked picture of herself to a boy at school.
It then happened to her again when she shot to fame on the fourth series of Love Island in 2018.
Zara’s bravery to open up about her experience hasn’t gone unnoticed and many of her famous pals have shown their love and support on social media.
Devoted boyfriend Sam Thompson was the first person to sing her praises.
He wrote on his Instagram Story: “Just finished the doc @zara_mcdermott I can’t tell you how proud I am.
“As a guy, I must confess I had no idea the impact something like this could have on a young girl’s life.
“I think you handled yourself with grace, eloquence, and character talking about a tough subject that will resonate with so many people. Well done.”
The likes of Jacqueline Jossa also took to her Instagram Story to tell her followers to go and watch the show.
She told her 3.1 million followers: “I think it’s brilliant that people are shining a light on it.
“I think that everybody should be watching stuff like this and learning.
“Anybody that has been out there and has been involved in revenge porn and struggled in some way, I hope that the documentary gives you hope.”
Jac added: “Well done Zara for shining light on such a sensitive subject and it’s good to get people talking about stuff like this because it still shouldn’t be going on and it is!”
Fellow Love Islander Amber Davies also praised her pal for all the hard work she’s put in to making the documentary.
She said: “Two years Zara has been working on this docuemntary, telling her story to make a change for others! Please give it a watch.
“I’m so proud of you @zara_mcdermott.”
Towie legend and mum-of-two Sam Faiers also shared a link to the programme with the caption: “Good luck @zara_mcdermott.”
And reality favourite Ellie Brown also shared the link with her 1.3 million followers.
Emotions ran high during the documentary as Zara relived her nightmare.
She told the camera: “I can’t even tell you the feeling, feeling like your parents are ashamed of you.
“How will they look at me the same ever again? It was so embarrassing. I just wanted to die.”
The star broke down in tears after revealing that her boyfriend Sam had been sent one of her nude pics on WhatsApp.
Her experience has meant that she panics when she walks into a room, just incase people have seen her leaked photos.
But the beauty hopes that the episode will help others who have been in the same boat as her.
She added: “I want people to feel empowered from this documentary and know they’re not alone, so many other people have been through this.
“I want victims to have better support. I want people to be able to start speaking about this topic openly and there to be a lot less emphasis placed on the victim in terms of ownership and accountability.”
Watch Zara McDermott: Revenge Porn on BBC iPlayer or Wednesday, 3 March 2021 at 10:45PM on BBC One.
