The 28-year-old reality star was detained at Abu Dhabi airport while traveling to Thailand earlier this month and spent several nights in a jail cell.
Former Love Island star Kaz Crossley has made her first public statement since being detained in the United Arab Emirates, following the release of a video showing her ingesting a white substance in Dubai in 2020.
The 28-year-old reality star said she “will not let my past define me” and made “many errors.”
“I was in the video. Nobody compelled me to do that “she said.
Crossley was detained at the Abu Dhabi airport earlier this month while traveling to Thailand, and he spent several nights in a prison cell.
Crossley claimed the video had been secretly filmed and distributed when discussing the incident on Instagram.
It destroyed my mental health,” she said.
“My family was extremely concerned about me. Being trolled online every day did not help my mood. I’ve had to do a lot of rehabilitation.”
While the incident had been widely reported, she stated that she had not spoken to any media explicitly about it.
Crossley said: “It was a period of my life when I probably did not value myself at all, as evidenced by the things I did to my body and the people I surrounded myself with.
“I’ve made several mistakes. However, I will not allow my past to define who I am now. As I am falling in love with myself and the person I am becoming.
“It’s been a crazy, long journey, but I’m now surrounded by people who have made me feel so seen and secure.
“I’m just thrilled to really just step fully into my power and take control of my life, take responsibility, and move forward because I am so fortunate to be here,” the speaker said.
Zara McDermott and Laura Anderson, who appeared in the same season of Love Island in 2018, were quick to offer their support in the comments portion of her Instagram post.
McDermott penned: “There is not a single adult human being on this planet who has never made an error. Yet people are so quick to judge, which is something I will never understand”.
We’ve all seen how your amazing job with children has changed so many lives, and you have a great heart!
“A single error does not define you; what counts is the value you add to the world, which is substantial.”
Anderson added: “My girl…We also know that sincerity is the greatest policy, which has liberated you from any errors.
“I adore you, and it has been such a pleasure to know you these past five years.”
When the infamous Casa Amor was introduced, Crossley became a new contestant in series four of the ITV program.
She and Josh Denzel finished third in the final, behind Anderson and Paul Knops and Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham.
