Talitha

Sam Thompson finally found a reason to smile again with new girlfriend Talitha Balinska after his devastating split from ex Zara McDermott.

But while the pair are certainly loved up, some members of his inner circle have told The Sun they are questioning whether Talitha may turn out to be Zara 2.0.

According to a source close to Sam, they believe his new model and DJ squeeze appears to be following too closely in his ex’s footsteps – and could secretly harbour desires to have a career as big as the former Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing beauty.

A member of Sam’s posse tells us: “Talitha seems like a nice girl but a few eyebrows have been raised by some of Sam’s pals about how easily she has slotted into his showbiz world and how comfortable she seems in the spotlight.

“They have questioned whether she is enjoying the profile boost that comes with dating a guy like Sam, because she wasn’t as well known before dating him.

They added: “These days she always seems to be invited brand trips or flogging online ads in a way she wasn’t before, so it feels like being with Sam has opened some major doors for her. You can’t necessarily blame her for taking advantage of that, but it has raised some eyebrows.”

After the ties with ex Zara severed, Sam had quite the “glow-up” and he soon captured the attention of model and DJ Talitha.

Former Made In Chelsea star Sam told how Talitha was “the one” earlier this year, but not everyone in his life is convinced.

“It feels like he has rushed head over heels into the next full-on relationship, but that’s Sam, he’s like a puppydog in love.

“Talitha could turn out to be the love of his life, but we’re his friends and we’re protective. We don’t want to see him get hurt.”

Sam first met gorgeous Talitha in 2024 on a photoshoot for Sam’s sunglasses brand Dinelli Eyewear but they didn’t begin to date until a few months after his split from Zara.

Once the couple were spotted together in October last year and Sam began mentioning her online, Talitha’s influencer career really took off.

The 24-year-old’s following grew by 900 per cent on Instagram and she started cashing in on more advertisement deals.

Not only that, Talitha has been making the most of her newfound fame, jetting off on brand trips, scooping freebies and enjoying lavish dinners.

She was spotted a few weeks ago partying on a yacht in Marbella, Spain, after being whisked away by The Couture Club.

The model has taken the place of the Love Island legend in a string of Sam’s social media ads – something he once enjoyed doing with Zara.

Our source adds: “Sam and Zara would often beg their family and friends to get involved with the funny twists they would put on their content – it looks as though history is repeating itself.

” A few of us have pointed out that Talitha often appears on social media “playing the eye-rolling” girlfriend, something Zara had perfected, or the one who laughs at all his jokes.

The source said: “A few who knew Zara really well have commented that Talitha seems to basically be copying her – the way she acts on social media is very similar, playing the foil to him is the same schtick Zara used to do in his Instagram and TikTok videos.”

Sam’s posse have noticed that Talitha has also become tight with Sam’s sister Louise, who absolutely adores her.

Zara was incredibly close to Louise and the pair were often spotted together.

“Talitha seems like she’s really close with his sister Louise, just like Zara was, but they have hardly known each other for a fraction of the time,” says our insider.

“It all feels a bit too much too fast, like she is already a member of the family.

“Some of us have joked that she’ll be landing her own BBC Three documentary series next, or trying to get cast on a reality show.”

Talitha’s influence has already begun to make its mark on Sam’s home, too.

This Morning‘s Sam revealed on his podcast, Staying Relevant, that he was getting his garden redone with a huge water feature, top-notch barbecue and bougie seating area.

But when he was quizzed on the new expense by his best pal Pete Wicks, Sam admitted he was forking out because Talitha wanted him too.

The 33-year-old claimed he’d rather have spent the cash on a lavish break away but his girlfriend felt a remodelled garden would be the perfect place for them to spend time.

Documentary maker Zara, 29, previously staked her claim on the home as the exes carved their names into the kitchen wood. Sam later admitted this wasn’t his choice either.

The podcast host got the room redecorated for the second time in just a few years to wipe any trace of Zara, who has since moved on with former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.

Talitha, who now appears to have properly moved in to Sam’s home, took to Instagram recently to admit that she was forcing him to move his clothes so she could have more wardrobe space.

Despite what some of Sam’s posse think, others say Talitha “picked Sam up at a time when he was really heartbroken,” and “put a smile back on his face again.”

According to a source close to Talitha , the couple are really happy and they don’t understand why some people are trying to “tear her down.”

Her pal continues: “Talitha is actually quite introverted and not in this for the fame.

“She already had an influencer profile before getting together with Sam, so anything she gets offered now comes from her already being in this world.

“Maybe some brands have reached out to her since she has been with Sam, but it’s not Talitha actively seeking these things out.

“She is with Sam for the right reasons, she’s a genuine girl and it’s disappointed for anyone to suggest she wants to copy Zara.

“She’s aware of Sam’s exes, but everyone has an ex and she is an ex for a reason. Talitha certainly doesn’t want to be the next Zara, because why would he even want to be with a clone of his former flame?

“It’s just silly – a case of someone trying to pit women against women. Sam and Talitha are happy, so anyone who thinks otherwise is not a real friend of either of them.”

The Sun has reached out to reps for Sam and Talitha for comment.