Love Island’s Rebecca Gormley has shared a bikini throwback where she sported braids and discussed the backlash she received over the hairstyle.
The star, 22, who shot to fame on the 2020 winter series of the show, looked incredible in a hot pink and orange string bikini, as she sported the braided hairstyle earlier in the year.
The top revealed her ample cleavage and taut midriff and a glimpse of her bronzed legs as she posed.
Throwback: Love Island’s Rebecca Gormley has shared a bikini throwback where she sported braids and discussed the backlash she received over the hairstyle
Rebecca shared the photo with the caption: ‘I can’t remember the last time I worked out properly, I need to get back to it. I was between a size eight and a ten, depending on the dress.’
The star was then asked by a fan ‘why did you think it was okay to wear braids?’.
She responded: ‘This questions always comes up. I’ve always worn braids, even when I was younger’ before showing a childhood throwback snap of her with the style.
In September, Rebecca defended herself after she was criticised for styling her hair in braids, which some of her followers claimed was ‘black fishing’.
Candid: She responded: ‘This questions always comes up. I’ve always worn braids, even when I was younger’ before showing a childhood throwback snap of her with the style’
She proudly showcased her new hairstyle in a picture with her boyfriend Biggs Chris, however she was quickly accused of cultural appropriation.
Fans were left unimpressed that she was sporting a hairstyle typically worn by black women, and took to the comments section to express their disapproval.
Blackfishing is a term used when someone adopts makeup or hair stylings to appear like they have black heritage.
One person wrote underneath a picture of her sporting the braids: ‘Hunny cultural appropriation looks so good on you must be why you continue to do it #pleasestop.’
While another said: ‘Girl you can’t wear that hairstyle…’
Another said: ‘I’d rethink the hair.’
Childhood: She responded: ‘This questions always comes up. I’ve always worn braids, even when I was younger’ before showing a childhood throwback snap of her with the style
However some of her followers supported her decision, with one writing: ‘I don’t understand the hate. If she appreciates the beauty of your culture and supports it, why are y’all so mad?’
After noticing the comments and receiving some private messages about her style choice, Rebecca took to her Stories to defend the choice.
She said: ‘So I’ve been going through my requests and I’ve got loads of awful messages which I don’t think is fair at all.
Having her say: Rebecca Gormley has defended herself after she was criticised for styling her hair in braids, which some of her followers claimed was ‘black fishing’
Unimpressed: Fans were left unimpressed that she was sporting a hairstyle typically worn by black women, and took to the comments section to express their disapproval
Support: However some of her followers supported her decision, with one writing: ‘I don’t understand the hate. If she appreciates the beauty of your culture and supports it, why are y’all so mad?’
‘I’ve had messages saying I’m being disrespectful to people’s culture because of my hair but I wear braids all the time, just because I’ve got a few more braids downs meant I’m being disrespectful.’
‘I don’t want to hurt anyone I’m just being myself, I’m doing me. I’m literally just doing me. I had to get someone else to do it, because I can’t do it as good as this. Have you seen it they’re unreal.
‘Also thank you to everyone who has been sending me lovely messages and being so kind, I really appreciate it and I love you all.’
Confused: After noticing the comments and receiving some private messages about her style choice, Rebecca took to her Stories to defend the choice
Her beau Biggs then chimed in, and said: ‘Just a quick one guys, I’m sorry, basically my point is if a young white boy came to me and said Biggs I like your hair and I want that. I should be happy because I’ve got something he wants. He’s appreciating the culture. I’d be worried if he said urgh I don’t want that. It’s 2020, it’s different.’
Rebecca said: ‘I think it’s nice if you want to embrace other’s culture.’
Biggs and Rebecca have been inseparable since appearing on the winter edition of Love Island earlier this year.
Rebecca had originally left the Love Island villa with Jordan Waobikeze, who she pursued in Casa Amor, but confessed shortly afterwards that she wanted to go on a date with Biggs.
Biggs had similarly failed to find true love in the villa after Jess Gale did not choose him during the recoupling.
Her beau Biggs then chimed in, and said: ‘Just a quick one guys, I’m sorry, basically my point is if a young white boy came to me and said Biggs I like your hair and I want that. I should be happy because I’ve got something he wants’