Former Love Island contestants have opened up about the difficult transition back to real life after leaving the villa, revealing the emotional and psychological challenges they faced.
Olivia, a former islander, described the immediate aftermath of filming, saying she only saw her family for an hour at Stansted airport before being whisked away for more filming. It took three days before she could properly reunite with them.
Johnny Mitchell echoed the sentiment, noting that contestants remain under the show's control even after landing. He warned that after a year, former islanders become 'old news' and must capitalise on their fame quickly.
Olivia also spoke about the mental strain she endured, crying daily and struggling to eat. She chose not to contact ITV's support services, feeling they wouldn't understand her, and instead relied on family and friends.
In contrast, Chris Hughes praised the availability of ITV's psychiatrist, calling it a 'massive help' to have professional support that considers both personal and external perspectives.
Despite the hardships, Olivia acknowledged that the experience helped her grow, stating, 'I'm no longer the Olivia I was in Love Island, I've grown up a lot.'
