DIVA caught up with the Northern Irish star to find out more about her time on the groundbreaking BBC Three show
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY BBC THREE
Walking into the I Kissed A Girl icon party dressed as the original lesbian Sappho, Cara has been wowing audiences in the new sapphic dating show with her impeccable style. The Northern Irish star was one of the original girls to enter Dannii Minogue’s Italian Masseria in the hopes of finding love.
Having been coupled up with Georgia from their first kiss, the pair have quickly become a fan favourite on the show. In the most recent episode, Cara spoke openly about being bisexual and the challenges that come with dating.
DIVA caught up with Cara to find out more about her time on the series.
The show has gone absolutely massive! What was going through your head when you signed up for I Kissed A Girl?
I genuinely wish I had this really powerful reason… but I was going on for a free holiday! I had no idea it would be this impactful. I didn’t realise it was a powerful move to go on a show like this. The support and messages that we’re getting are so overwhelming – we weren’t expecting it. We’re all so proud to be on the show.
It’s such an amazing show! When you were going in for that first kiss, what was going through your mind?
I was thinking: get in, don’t fall, get the kiss, don’t look too slobby! It was getting there and trying to walk normally.
When you were in the Masseria, what was the first week like?
I don’t talk about my sexuality in real life. It doesn’t come up in conversation. If anything, I was quite guarded about it before the show. I think I had this big chip on my shoulder about not making my sexuality my personality. After being a part of those conversations in the first week on the show I realised that I can be proud of my sexuality. It is going to influence your personality, and you shouldn’t feel bad about it. It made me way more open with my sexuality.
What do you think you learnt about yourself on the show?
To be proud of being in the queer community. You shouldn’t have to shy away from yourself. I’m hoping that this show will impact younger girls. I didn’t come out until I was older because I had no knowledge [of the LGBTQIA community]. It was when I was surrounded by other gay people that I realised that I related to a lot of things they were saying. Having this on air for younger women is going to help so many people identify with what’s been shown.
When you were growing up did you feel like you saw queer representation around you?
I felt like I couldn’t see any queer experience that I could relate to. I think that’s why I didn’t question my sexuality until I was older. I felt like there was one gay experience and I didn’t relate to it so it couldn’t be me. If I had something like I Kissed A Girl growing up, I would have understood myself so much sooner.
We’re seeing this amazing reaction online! What’s it been like?
I am so proud! I didn’t go into it thinking I was going to be a queer figure for younger people to look up to, but I’m so proud that I am. There is something in each of us that people can look at and say “That’s me”.
On the show you and Georgia coupled up pretty quickly. What was it like watching the drama in the Masseria?
I could finally understand what people meant when they spoke about a lesbian timeline! I was turning my head and Fiorenza was with someone else! It was so natural and organic though, and people were so true to their feelings. We could still all be friends after.
What do you think you learnt about relationships from being on the show?
I learnt that I am crazy defensive. I’ve got a guard up. I think I felt like I was scared to love someone in case my feelings got hurt. It’s hard to be vulnerable. I learnt that you have to be honest and there’s nothing to lose by being vulnerable.
What can we expect from the rest of the show?
A lot more drama. A lot more tears. And definitely a lot more laughs.
What do you hope audiences take from I Kissed A Girl?
I think it’s so important for people from rural areas like me to get out there. I felt like I was the only queer in the village. I hope people know that that’s not the only reality. You can feel comfortable in yourself even if you don’t leave those areas. I think that for people in small towns like me, it’s important to be part of the conversation.
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