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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Love Island's Ruchee proud to represent Asian women on ITV show after 'lack of diversity'

Beautician Ruchee Gurung became the first Islander to be announced earlier this month, and the beautician is hoping to become a role model to young women 'who look just like her' while in the villa.

Ruchee, 24, from Sutton, is hoping to find the love of her life in the villa, but she is also overjoyed to be representing the Asian community on the ITV2 dating show after seeing a 'lack of diversity' on the popular reality TV show for so many years.

Speaking to The Mirror and other press ahead of her villa debut, Ruchee explained why being a part of the show is so important to her.

"I knew there was going to be a good reaction to me being on the show because I feel like there's not really been anyone who looks quite like me on the Love Island before," Ruchee shared.

"Also with being from Nepal, it's such a small country so I feel like when someone is on TV they are either Vietnamese, or Phillipino, or Chinese, but being from such a small country, I'm so happy and proud to represent. I'm really happy."

Ruchee explained why being a part of the show is so important to her (Instagram/rucheewawo)
Ruchee is hoping to find genuine love in the villa (ITV)

Although she now has a strong London accent, Ruchee only moved to the UK in her teens after growing up in Hong Kong and Nepal.

Ruchee told us that she was born in Hong Kong and moved to Nepal when she was two-years-old.

Due to the fact her father was a pilot and her mum was busy working, it was her aunt who raised her before she went to live with her grandmother in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu.

Whilst there, Ruchee went to an international school where she developed an American accent and admitted that when she eventually arrived in the UK, many of her new friends guessed that she was from the US because of her accent - but she soon lost it while living in South London.

Asked why she wants to join Love Island, the 24-year-old from Sutton said: "I’m single and looking for love, and it’s the perfect opportunity for me to find someone. I’m a relationship kind of girl, but so far it’s not worked out for me.

"So I’m looking forward to hopefully finding the right person in the Villa."

However, she definitely doesn't want anyone who has no ambition, as it gives her the ick.

Asked what she doesn't like, she admitted: "Guys with no ambition. I also get the ick if I see a guy wearing white jeans and red trainers. Another one is super skinny jeans when they look like leggings.

"Fashion is such an important thing for me. If I go on a date and the guy isn’t wearing something I like, I’m going home."

*Love Island returns Monday June 5 on ITV2

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