Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson may have gone their separate ways, but their love lives are making headlines all over again—this time for who they’re kissing, not who they’re missing.
Just weeks after Zara stepped out with One Direction heartthrob Louis Tomlinson, her ex-boyfriend Sam was caught in a steamy kiss with fellow Love Island star Samie Elishi during a wild night out. Despite the photos surfacing online, a source close to Zara insists she’s genuinely happy for him. “She doesn’t want people seeing Sam as the poor victim anymore,” they said, referencing past drama—including Zara’s very public cheating scandal in 2020.
While their breakup became one of Made In Chelsea’s most unforgettable moments, Zara and Sam were together for nearly five years and shared what many thought was an unbreakable bond. But that chapter has well and truly closed.
Now, Sam is living his best single life—he’s glowing up, enjoying attention, and not afraid of a cheeky snog in public. According to his close pal Pete Wicks, Sam’s been on a journey of healing and self-discovery after heartbreak. “He’s amazing,” Pete said. “He deserves happiness.”
Meanwhile, Zara’s romance with Louis seems to be getting serious fast. His sisters have already shown her public support, and friends say Zara is finally moving on for good—this time, away from reality TV and into something more grounded.
“She’ll always care about Sam,” a source added. “But she’s not looking back—only forward.”
