As Love Island prepares for its new series, former contestants have shared the realities of villa life that viewers don't see on screen. From cramped bathrooms to sweltering bedrooms, the experience is far from the glamorous holiday it appears.
Shaughna Phillips, who appeared in series six, revealed that the villa is not as relaxing as it looks. “We always have lunch at a certain time, we only have an hour to get ready – where 12 girls cram into a small space,” she said. “There were only two toilets and at one point there were 20 of us in there.”
Amy Hart, a series five contestant, advised future islanders to pack more underwear and cooler pyjamas. “Your washing gets done once a week and you don't know when it's coming back,” she explained. She also noted that air conditioning is unevenly distributed, making some beds too cold and others too hot.
Ched Uzor, who appeared in series six, warned that fame is fleeting. “As soon as a new series comes out, the new contestants get all that love,” he said. “Use money you get from personal appearances to build a business.”
Shaughna added that online trolling is a major challenge after leaving the villa. “You can never prepare for nasty online comments,” she said. However, she noted that the support from ex-islanders is strong, with many reaching out via social media to offer advice.
