Zara McDermott proudly watched boyfriend Louis Tomlinson storm the stage during Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland on Saturday, after being caught up in a vicious AI deepfake scandal
The Love Island star, 29, who has been dating the former One Direction singer, 34, since December 2024, flashed her toned abs as she watched from the wings.
Zara looked effortlessly stylish in a cropped black T-shirt and jeans which she teamed with a £500 Miu Miu baseball cap and shades.
She watched on as Louis, who donned a black ‘British boy’ T-shirt and purple trousers, entertained the huge crowd with his biggest hits.
Zara found herself at the centre of a vicious deep-fake campaign on Tuesday evening after she was pictured accepting a platonic kiss from Joey Essex at a recent event.
She features alongside the fellow seasoned reality TV veteran on the latest series of ITV’s Cooking With The Stars.
Zara McDermott proudly watched boyfriend Louis Tomlinson storm the stage during Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland on Saturday, after being caught up in a AI deep-fake scandal
The Love Island star, 29, who has been dating the former One Direction singer, 34, since December 2024, flashed her toned abs as she watched from the wings
But she inadvertently sparked wild cheating rumours among Louis’ notoriously fickle fanbase after Essex gave her a parting kiss on the cheek as they exited a wrap party.
The innocent exchange has also resulted in the emergence of an unsavoury online deep-fake featuring Zara and her co-star locked in a passionate embrace.
Fans have subsequently leapt to the TV personality’s defence after her social media channels were flooded with unfounded accusations of infidelity.
Taking to Instagram, one follower wrote: ‘You are perfect, beautiful and gorgeous. Never let anyone dim your light. You are the sweetest, best person.
‘Never stop loving Louis Tomlinson because you and he are the best, and what’s more, you are my favourite couple.’
A second added: ‘It definitely takes a lot of courage and grace to say nothing about the rumours and stay silent and not fuel any twisted narrative that people have.
‘They both don’t owe anyone anything. What they do in their own lives is no one’s business. Just because they are famous doesn’t mean they owe us anything.’
While a third wrote: ‘I love your content Zara. I think you are beautiful, I love your cooking content, your documentaries and I’m tired of seeing hurtful comments which I’m sure would get to anyone.
Zara looked effortlessly stylish in a cropped black T-shirt and jeans which she teamed with a £500 Miu Miu baseball cap and shades
She watched on as Louis, who donned a black ‘British boy’ T-shirt and purple trousers, entertained the huge crowd with his biggest hits
Zara found herself at the centre of a vicious deep-fake campaign on Tuesday evening after she was pictured accepting a platonic kiss from Joey Essex at a recent event
‘Keeping being awesome, people are being negative when they don’t feel good in themselves.’
The TV personality is thought to have struck up a friendship with Essex while filming Cooking With The Stars,
A source close to the former TOWIE star told The Sun: ‘Zara and Joey grew close during filming and have become good friends.
‘They got on really well but it’s all very innocent. There’s nothing romantic there between them.’
Last month, Zara’s secret struggle in their relationship was ‘revealed’ as it was reported she feels like she ‘can’t win’ with his ‘possessive’ fans.
She proved to be his biggest supporter as she travelled with him to Denmark for the latest leg of his world tour.
But she is reportedly facing ‘incessant’ trolling from Louis’ dedicated 1D fan-base and feels she ‘can’t win’ with them – despite being head over heels for the singer.
The TV personality is yet to comment publicly on the furore, while Tomlinson is currently on a month-long break from touring his third studio album, How Did I Get Here?
Sources say she is stuck between a rock and a hard place as she is slammed for ‘following Louis around’ if she goes on tour with him or attacked for ‘not supporting him’ if she doesn’t.
An insider told The Sun: ‘She’s either accused of ‘following’ Louis around the world or is slated for ‘not being a supportive enough girlfriend’.
They went on to report the couple are head over heels for each other and Tomlinson is extremely supportive of his girlfriend, but the singer’s fans are ‘possessive’ and don’t think any girl is good enough to be with him.
‘Unfortunately for Zara, dating Louis comes with incessant trolling from fans who are vocal about their disdain online.
‘It’s hurtful and of course Zara would prefer it didn’t happen, but Louis is so supportive of her.’
