In a surprising post shared on Tuesday, Luisa Zissman, star of The Apprentice and an influencer with 712,000 followers on Instagram, mocked tourists who recently fled Dubai, suggesting that they are now “pretending to return from the frontlines” in the aftermath of heightened tensions in the UAE.
The 38-year-old entrepreneur and TV personality, who moved to Dubai in December with her millionaire husband Andrew Collins and two of their children, Indigo Esme (9) and Clementine, was one of the most vocal supporters of the UAE government, even labeling the country as “the safest in the world.” Her positive stance, despite missile and drone attacks targeting the region, was well-known until her recent departure from the UAE.
Zissman returned to the UK on Monday, explaining to her followers that her return was always planned to coincide with the recording of her LuAnna podcast, but her concerns over potential travel restrictions for her children led her to bring them along as well.
Taking to Instagram, Luisa shared a classic meme of Cillian Murphy looking disheartened, humorously reflecting on the sentiments of many tourists trapped in Dubai for days due to the political and military conflict. The caption read: “Everyone in (UAE countries) when they see tourists in interviews acting as though they’ve just returned from the frontlines.”
In another Instagram story, Zissman reflected on her departure from Dubai, calling it an emotional and confusing time. “I’m back in the UK now,” she told her fans. “I’m walking through Chinatown, heading to the Global studios this morning. Clearly, I’m not in Dubai anymore, but I had to come back to work, and the kids are on their break. I just wanted… to bring them home with me.”
She added with a bit of nervous humor, “I’m really worried someone’s going to steal my phone right now,” while expressing her feelings of temporary displacement. “It feels like I’m in a refugee situation, forced to leave my home,” she admitted, before shifting to praise the UAE’s government and recounting how easy her departure from Dubai was. “It was actually super smooth – we passed through Oman, crossed the border in about 15 minutes, and then flew straight to Heathrow from Muscat.”
Before leaving Dubai, Luisa had reassured her followers, declaring that everything was “fine” and that her children were getting an early school break. She even expressed her intent to return soon to continue her work. “There are a lot of planes flying overhead, so things seem calm,” she had written in a post just five days ago.
Luisa’s post comes amid a broader debate among celebrities and influencers in Dubai. While many have continued to paint the UAE as a safe haven, others have begun to express fear and concern following recent missile attacks by Iran and drone strikes, which have left their mark on the city, even causing fatalities and damage to high-rise buildings.
The UAE, which has long prided itself on stability, has faced over 230 missile strikes since the escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran. While most of these missiles were intercepted, the damage to buildings, including one in the iconic Dubai Marina, and the temporary closure of Dubai International Airport have raised alarm.
As tensions continue to rise, Zissman’s remarks reflect the growing divide between those who have remained steadfast in their support of the UAE and those who are now grappling with the reality of living in a region under siege. Luisa’s return to the UK, while certainly dramatic, also highlights the complexities faced by expatriates in uncertain times. The narrative she shared resonates with those who have had to navigate both the allure and risks of life in a volatile political landscape.
