Arabella Chi celebrated the impending arrival of her first child this weekend with a stunning baby shower, welcoming friends, family and fellow reality stars such as Georgia Harrison, Olivia Hawkins and Dancing On Ice star Ferne McCann, who has been giving Arabella mum tips, to the celebrations.
The model and businesswoman, 33, who is expecting a little girl with her partner Billy Henty, gave Mirror exclusive access into the chic party at a Mexican restaurant on Chelsea’s famous Kings Road, where guests were served cocktails named Princess Paloma, Miss Margarita and Angel Fresco in honour of her baby girl.
Cradling her bump, Arabella reflected on her whirlwind year it’s been - which has seen her meet the man of her dreams and realising her dream of becoming a mum. “If you’d have said to me a year ago that I would be having a baby I would have laughed in your face,” she admitted.
“I’ve learned to trust the timing of your life because life will happen how it’s supposed to happen. I can’t wait to become a mum to a baby girl. “I can’t believe that a year and three months ago I was in the Love Island villa. I feel so lucky to have found my forever partner.
“Trust life, is what I say to everyone. Friends around the same age as me are wondering when it will happen to them. Life will happen when it’s supposed to happen.”
Seven months pregnant, excited Arabella says it’s all started to feel real now. “I can't believe it's two months away,” she admitted. “I feel like it's proper countdown time. “She’s moving around a lot. When you see the movement, you realise there’s an actual baby inside there. You feel more connected.”
Enjoying the perfect pregnancy, Arabella says she feels amazing - and it shows. “It’s been a blessing,” she beams. “I’ve had no sickness. I was convinced I was having a boy because I felt so well. Billy thought it was a girl from day one.
“I’m just feeling very tired now. I’m in the final trimester, the final stretch.” Finding out they were expecting a girl, the couple have already picked out a name her - but are keeping it under wraps.
“We did a 4d scan and she’s the double of Billy. She’s so cute!” squealed Arabella - who appeared on series five of ITV’s Love Island and last year’s All Stars.
“I was convinced it was a boy so we had the boy's name sorted. Billy chose that. When it was a girl, I had a name but Billy said ‘I think we need to rethink it’. I like really unique names, he likes more traditional names. We began talking about it and we found one we both loved.
“It’s so nice to be able to call her by her name, not just ‘it’.” Whilst they may be prepared on the name front, relaxed Arabella says she’s not sorted much else.
“I’ve got nothing ready,” she admitted. “I feel like you can be too prepared. I’ve done the antenatal classes, I know all about breastfeeding, I’ve read so many baby books. That’s the priority. We’re not having a nursery. That can come later.”
Instead she’s prioritising some quality time with Billy before they get caught up in the baby bubble with a trip to Dubai. “We’re going to Dubai on Monday for my birthday and when we’re back I’ll think about the nursery. Another baby moon, we’re milking it! We’re enjoying the last few weeks of just me and Billy. I’m going to do my maternity photoshoot out there.”
As a model, Arabella is used to posing for the camera. But she admits that pregnancy has made her question her appearance. “I’ve always been body confident, I’ve always worked out. You see your body changing and it’s beautiful and natural but it still comes with insecurities. But I keep reminding myself that I’m growing a human. It’s normal, it’s your most vulnerable time as a woman. Billy has been amazing and supportive.”
After trying to find love on two series of Love Island, Arabella finally found her Mr Right away from the spotlight. Meeting trader and businessman Billy through friends last year, Arabella says she’s delighted to be with someone away from the celebrity and reality world. “I loved how me and Billy met, it was organic,” says Arabella. “It’s hard to do that in this day and age.
“He’s out of the world. And I love that. It’s refreshing.” Low-key Billy is happy to stay in the background, but opens up to talk about his “own little family” and love for Arabella.“I can’t wait to be a girl dad,” he smiles. “It’s life changing. It’s my own little family. Arabella’s amazing. She’s got a heart of gold.”
Billy says their little girl is “extra special” because of Arabella’s previous struggles with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). “It’s meant to be,” he says. Arabella agrees. “When I found out I was pregnant it was magical,” she explains. “With my PCOS I don’t know if I’ll be able to have more children so she’s special.
“It’s hard to envisage her being here. Me and Billy say we’ll bring her home and be like ‘Now what?’”
Thinking ahead to the birth, Arabella is surprisingly calm about it. “I haven’t got a birth plan,” she says breezily. “I’m open minded. I’ll take pain relief if I need it. I’m going to try and enjoy the labour.” The couple won’t be short of babysitters, as is apparent by all the family and friends at the baby shower offering kind words and support on their special day.
“I’ve got some incredibly close friends and my family,” says Arabella. “Billy’s sisters are amazing. My mum is so happy, she’ll be the first grandchild.
“I’ve got different groups of family and friends celebrating such a special day. Even people that I had love triangles with a year ago!” She’s talking about her Love Island pal Georgia Harrison. They were both in series one of Love Island All Stars, which aired last year.
But there’s no bad blood between the pair, as Georgia, 30, shared her delight for her friend. “I’m so happy for her and Billy,” Georgia said. “It’s mad how much she’s done since leaving the villa. It’s so nice seeing your friend finally getting what she deserves.
“She’ll be a brilliant, cool mum. The kind of mum where everyone wants to go to her house, she’s got loads of food and it’s chaos, but good chaos. “I’ll be cool aunt Georgia. She’ll come to my house when she’s in trouble and needs someone to talk to.”
Fellow Love Islander Olivia Hawkins said Arabella had opened up to her about her dreams of being a mum - and how she was so happy that is was coming true.
“We’ve spoken about her wanting a baby for ages so I just can’t believe it’s actually happening,” shared Liv, 29.
“A baby girl, I’m really happy about that. Lots of pink stuff. We’ll be taking her out when she’s old enough! “I feel like it’s all happened at the best time and they’re going to be amazing parents.”
Mum-of-two Ferne arrived at the party with fiance Lorri Haines and told how she’s been offering words of wisdom to the mum-to-be. “She’s going to be in the pink club,” said Ferne, 34, excitedly, who has daughters Sunday, seven, and Finty, 20 months. “It’s so lovely. We’ve had a few meals out recently with our partners. I’ve been giving her some advice on breastfeeding and the birth.”
Guests travelled far and wide to come to the baby shower at Ixchel restaurant, including one friend who’d flown in from Bali, arriving that morning.
They were gifted with bracelets from Arabella’s own range, Say It With, and her face oil, Aura By Chi The Base. Enjoying a three course meal of Mexican favourites like guacamole, rock shrimp tempura and prawn tacos, a cake decorated with a sleeping baby under a blanket took centre stage in the middle of the table.
Everyone got involved with games like pin the dummy on the baby, guessing the bump size and baby predictions. And there was a special guest at the event - Arabella’s King Charles’ Spaniel Astro.
“He’s my first born,” laughs Arabella. “He’s going to have a little sister. “He’s actually not very good around kids, more toddlers, but I’m hoping the fact they’ll grow up together that he’ll get used to her.
“He keeps putting his head on my stomach. My mum says he definitely knows there’s a baby in there. “I think he’s going to be protective of her.”
