But the Essex girl, 23, has admitted she never thought the reality show would make her as successful as she’s become.
“I’ll always remember the day the first episode went out. Me, mum and dad were all round Amy Childs’ house watching it,” she told OK! magazine.
“Amy and I had a bottle of rose in her room – we were so nervous! We started screaming and jumping when the theme tune came on. We never in a million years thought all these things would come out of it.”
Sam’s former co-star Amy, 24, has also gone on to enjoy huge success, having her own spin off reality shows and launching a clothing line.
Despite starring in the show since it’s launch, Sam will not be returning for series 11 and insists she is focusing on moving forward with her life.
However, she is happy that some other former stars will be returning for the new series.
She added: “It’s great having both Lydia [Bright] and Harry [Derbidge] back on the show, especially for Harry because he’s with Bobby [Norris] now and he had the right amount of time off.
“I loved TOWIE, it was an amazing time, but I want to look forward.”
Speaking previously, Sam admitted she wanted to focus on her relationship with Joey Essex, also 23, away from the cameras. The couple, who got back together this year, are already discussing marriage and Sam said she will be taking his name.
She said: “Mrs Essex! I will definitely change my name.”