EVERY year is the same – we see yet more desperate Love Islanders exit the villa and begin to share endless promotional posts on social media.
In previous years, even those who had only been on screens for a few days could expect hundreds of thousands of followers and brand deals falling at their feet.
But now, it’s clear that Love Island isn’t quite the ticket to overnight fame as it once was.
While some rake in the cash with clothing deals and make-up ranges, the vast majority vanish quicker than you can say ‘he’s not my type.’
With being an influencer regarded as an ideal career for many, we can’t really blame them for trying.
But here’s the Islanders still eagerly trying to rinse their new-found fame for all it’s worth, as we reveal the most desperate Islanders of all time.
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Fabulous exclusively spoke to Celebrity & Brand expert Renae Smith to get her thoughts on the social media user’s bizarre attempts to cling to fame, so you’ll need to pay attention to see how she ranks them.
Renae told us: “Staying relevant after reality TV is a tough game. When I was on MasterChef Australia (yes, more than a decade ago) I still remember being told brands would line up, opportunities would be endless and fame would be easy to maintain. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
“That’s the same story these contestants are being sold now. The spotlight is bright, but it’s short-lived.
“From a PR perspective, the hard truth is this: unless you have a strategy and a clear brand, that initial burst of fame evaporates fast. People have the attention span of a goldfish.
“Most contestants end up either scrambling to stay relevant or fading quietly into the background. That’s why we see such a range of bizarre, predictable or occasionally smart attempts to hang onto the limelight.
“What separates the people who last from the ones who don’t is whether they build something real behind the scenes. Most don’t.
“Fame from reality TV is like fast food, quick, addictive, but not something you can live off forever. If you understand that and accept it – you’ll be a much happier (and less cringe) person.
“Here’s how I’d rank these latest efforts, with one being fairly harmless and five being peak desperation.”
Messy Mitch’s ‘fake’ relationship, messages and public feuds
Mitchel Taylor, 29, who is more commonly known as Messy Mitch, first appeared on our screens on season 10 of Love Island in 2023 and then again the following year for the All Stars spin-off, but has since made his way into the headlines for a number of very public feuds.
Mitch earned the nickname “messy” after he mucked girls about on both series’ of Love Island, and he continued to raise eyebrows after a feud with Kady McDermott.
Not only did he post a now-deleted rant about Kady branding her as “irrelevant,” but he was then criticised for “faking” a relationship for fame.
In an attempt to stay relevant, despite putting the cause of his relationship demise with Ella Barnes down to work commitments, Love Island fans accused the pair of “faking” the relationship in order to gain more fame when leaving the villa.
Most contestants end up either scrambling to stay relevant or fading quietly into the background
Renae Smith
One fan wrote, “Faked until the last gig. Fair play,” whilst another penned, “This was the fakest relationship in LI history! All about the money and fame.”
To top it all off, Mitch was also slammed for sharing “fake” messages from Grace Jackson.
Mitch revealed he was sent a screen recording of the messages, but since then, according to The Tab, reportedly admitted they “could be fake”.
Highest-paid celebs who appeared on reality TV
CELEBRITIES can earn eye-watering sums by appearing on reality TV shows – here we reveal some of the highest earners.
Politician Nigel Farage bagged a staggering £1.5million sign-on fee for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2023 and lasted 23 days.
Rapper Ray J was reportedly offered £810,000 to appear on Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) in 2017 but left after seven days.
Stormy Daniels was rumoured to have been offered £750k to appear on CBB only to not show up and pull out of the show before going in. She claimed to have pulled out due to a custody battle for her daughter making her feel “uncomfortable” about going on TV
Former Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallet was reportedly paid £750,000 to appear on CBB in 2018. She quit the show after falsely claiming fellow housemate Ryan Thomas had punched her.
TV presenter Noel Edmonds was paid £600,000 to appear on I’m A Celebrity in 2018, which was then the highest fee offered, but was voted out by the public first.
David Gest lasted 13 days in the CBB house despite reportedly being paid £600,000. He pulled out due to ‘medical reasons’ on the 2016 show
Now, after enjoying two years of fame, the influencer was not happy to reveal he had been forced to return to his day job after his post-villa fame faded.
Taking to Snapchat, he told fans: “Now, I’m poor, so I’ve got to work.
“And I can’t go on a dating shows because I’m in love with a girl.”
Messy Mitch takes the top spot for Renae, as she flagged to us: “This is the definition of manufacturing chaos to stay relevant. It might get short-term clicks, but long term it burns any remaining credibility. A classic desperation move.”
Renae’s rating: 100/5
Eva Zapico and Rebecca Gormley’s dodgy investments
As well as TOWIE’s Lauren Goodger, Love Island stars Eva Zapico, 27, and Rebecca Gormley, also 27, appeared in court last year after being accused of plugging dodgy investments on social media.
The pair were allegedly paid to push Instagram posts to their followers that promoted an unauthorised foreign exchange trading scheme.
The alleged ‘finfluencers’ were charged following a probe by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Emmanuel Nwanze and Holly Thompson allegedly used the Instagram account @holly_fx trends, to provide advice on buying and selling investments known as contracts for difference (CFDs).
From a PR perspective, these kinds of deals do lasting damage
Renae Smith
The FCA said CFDs are high-risk, with 80 per cent of customers who invest in them losing money.
Thompson and Nwanze were accused of paying the celebs to promote the account to their 4.5million followers on social media.
The Love Islanders were released on unconditional bail ahead of a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on July 11.
Voicing serious concern on Eva and Rebecca’s actions, Reane slammed: “Now we’re deep into dangerous territory. From a PR perspective, these kinds of deals do lasting damage.
“When you start flogging things that are legally questionable, it’s a sign the real brand work has dried up.”
Renae’s rating: 5/5
Emma Munro’s ‘information’
Emma Munro, 30, had barely left the villa and last month she claimed she had information about fellow co-stars that could “ruin their relationship.”
The brunette posted the cryptic TikTok which quickly went viral, where she suggested all was not well with one villa couple.
The Casa Amor star made her entry on the series alongside five other beauties this summer and was revealed as footballer Harry Cooksley’s ex, but has now been slammed after she said she was “sitting on information that could ruin an entire relationship”.
Since then, Emma got candid on the coy message and confirmed she had information about Meg and Dejon, and it was claimed he had been flirty texting Alima Gagigo, also from Love Island 2025.
Are you that bored that you have nothing better to do to try and stay relevant?
TikTok user
But Dejon then rubbished the whole thing and accused Emma of making it all up for attention, as he reassured: “The only person I’m exchanging flirty messages with is my girlfriend.”
On TikTok, someone labelled Emma as “so beggy and desperate” for making up the rumour and wrote: “Are you that bored that you have nothing better to do to try and stay relevant?”
As well as this, one frustrated user slammed Emma and wondered: “If you have information that could undermine and ruin a relationship and you genuinely care for a woman’s feelings, why is this not being handled in private?”
According to Renae, Emma could make things “messy” with such clips, as the pro explained: “This is where it gets messy.
“From a PR lens, when someone relies on personal drama as their main currency, it’s usually because they’ve run out of anything else. It’s headline chasing, not brand building.”
Renae’s rating: 4.5/5
Casey O’Gorman’s four attempts to get ‘more fans’
Love island veteran Casey O’Gorman, who won the most recent Love Island All Stars alongside Gabby Allen, is the Islander with the most appearances on the dating show franchise.
The 28-year-old recently returned to Love Island for the fourth time as he joined the line-up for spin-off show Love Island Games.
Prior to going on screens for the fourth time, he dropped a hint he had been cast in Games, by showing he was headed Down Under, as he captioned an Instagram story “See you soon Sydney.”
But fans were left furious, as one slammed: “I see Casey more on TV than I see some of my friends IRL.”
Even Love Island host, Maya Jama, appears to have had enough of Casey and has even banned him from doing another All Stars.
Testing a return to All Stars, Maya immediately put a stop to any plans Casey might have at applying again, and wrote beneath the clip: “Lol my guy it’s enough!”
Love Island All Stars 2026 rumoured line-up
Helena Ford (Series 12): Helena says she’d “love to go back into All Stars” to get a “redemption arc” and show a different, more serious side of her personality.
Zachariah Noble (Series 10): Following his recent split from Molly Marsh, Zachariah is highly rumored to be considering a return to the villa.
Andrada Pop (Series 12): Andrada has said she would “definitely do it” and is “up for giving it another go” since she didn’t find love the first time.
Emma Munro (Series 12): Emma has sparked rumors herself by posting a selfie with Zachariah and the caption, “All Stars?”.
Millie Court (Series 7 Winner): Millie recently split with Liam Reardon and would be a popular choice for the show
Ella Barnes (Series 10):
Ella has set her sights on finding love again after her split with Neil Farrugia.
A source told The Sun: “Ella is single again and is in very early talks.
“When she was on the show the first time she wasn’t scared to steal men in the villa – she’ll make amazing TV if she does sign up.”
Not only this, but earlier this year, the 28-year-old admitted he DID go on Love Island “for followers.”
The reality TV star came under fire about his real intentions to be on the show and clashed with his fellow Islanders after being accused of being a “clout-chaser.”
In an unearthed clip, the star was seen openly admitting he only went on Love Island to get “more fans” and also “get a tan”.
In one bit of the video, Casey quite clearly wrote: “I went on Love Island for the followers.”
Going on, he added: “Of course I went on Love Island to get a good tan and speak to the lads all day.
“I went on Love Island because all I wanted to be was a TikToker!”
When it comes to Casey’s attempts to remain in the public eye, Renae told us: “From a PR perspective, at least he’s being honest. But saying the quiet part out loud makes it harder to rebrand later.
“He’s basically admitted he sees fame as a transaction, which makes it tricky to pivot into something more meaningful.”
Renae’s rating: 3/5
Anna Vakili ‘craves attention’ and has £4.99 monthly membership
35-year-old Anna Vakili, who first shot to fame when she appeared on our screens back in 2019, has previously been slammed as “desperate for fame” by a pal.
According to a friend of Anna’s, the ex-pharmacist who said she went into the villa to find love, underwent drastic plastic surgery to make herself more popular with fans.
Anna’s ex-lover, who hooked up with her a few times between 2014 and 2016 and did not wish to be named, revealed all to Mirror Online at the time.
The anonymous man explained: “She’s always out in clubs – she loves the attention of nights out and you’ll always find her in the VIP section surrounded by men.
“I wasn’t surprised to see her on Love Island. She’ll do anything for attention – she craves fame.
“Anna always talked about wanting to settle down, but when it came to it she would never commit to one guy.
“I broke things off with her after a few dates when I found out she was seeing someone else. She was really defensive when I confronted her and told me she was single and free to do what she wants and didn’t want to be tied down.
“It looks like she had more surgery in the last couple of years because she definitely didn’t have that bum when we were seeing each other.”
She’ll do anything for attention – she craves fame
Anna Vakili’s anonymous ex-lover
After leaving the villa, Anna and her sister Mandi set up a Sisters In The City podcast – but if you want full access, you’ll need to upgrade and become a paid member.
It’ll cost you £4.99 a month, plus VAT, and with this membership, you’ll get four monthly bonus episodes and can watch videos ad free.
You’ll also get members-only voting and have access to priority dilemma and story submissions, with the priority of your comments being the first to be read out in upcoming episodes.
When it comes to Anna charging for content, Reane shared: “This is what happens when your big audience gets smaller but more loyal.
“From a PR view, it’s smart to monetise what’s left, but it also shows the mainstream spotlight has dimmed.”
Renae’s rating: 2/5
Andrada Pop’s £15 videos
Since leaving the last series of the iconic ITV dating show, Andrada Pop, 27, has been seen flogging videos and charging fans in an attempt to stay relevant.
Just days ago, clips were being sold for £14.83, but now, they will set fans back £15.06.
After being directly messaged by a fan asking for a happy birthday video for her 16-year-old sister-in-law, Andrada directed the fan to her Cameo page, whereby followers can pay for “personalised videos.”
The Dublin-born brunette, who has amassed 150,000 Instagram followers since leaving the villa, recently set up the Cameo profile, whereby followers can receive “unforgettable” clips wishing them a happy birthday or mentioning “inside jokes” and “words of wisdom.”
Cameo has basically become the reality star’s version of selling Tupperware
Renae Smith
Fans can write a short set of instructions and are then able to share the “magic” of their clip on social media for all to see.
Andrada’s average videos are just 21 seconds long, but it appears the islander only has just one review on her page.
Discussing Andrada’s Cameo profile, Renae shared: “From a PR perspective, this is a low-stakes, low-drama move.
“Cameo has basically become the reality star’s version of selling Tupperware. It’s not going to make her famous again, but it’s not damaging either.”
Renae’s rating: 2/5
Jess Harding’s fight for ‘exposure’
London-born Jess Harding, 25, won the show in 2023 alongside Sammy Root, but it’s since been revealed that she was so desperate to be on the show that she begged for help from an islander three years prior to gracing our screens.
The stunner reached out to former Islander Alexi Eraclides, who was on the show in 2020, in a bid to get tips on how to get a coveted place in the villa.
Alexi, who is now a butler in the buff, told The Sun: “She reached out to me a couple of years back.
“She wanted to know how I got on Love Island, if I was scouted or applied.
“She was obviously really keen to get on the show and very much had it at the forefront of her mind.
“I’m happy she got what she wanted. She wanted to change her life and get that exposure, which she has now.”
Getting candid on Jess’ attempts to be famous, Reane acknowledged: “This is more ambition than desperation. It’s like asking a mate how to get into a party.
“It doesn’t do much to help the brand, but it’s not damaging either.”
Renae’s rating: 1.5/5
Harrison Solomon and Lauren Wood’s Freshers’ appearances
While previously male Islanders would often organise regional club appearances, now, Harrison Solomon, 22, and Lauren Wood, 26, have been popping up on TikToks posing with youngsters.
Earlier this month, the couple were filmed with Freshers doing meet and greet events at uni clubs.
In one clip, the pair got up close and personal with youngsters on a dance floor in Exeter.
But despite the selfies, numerous viewers on TikTok didn’t have a clue who the couple were.
While one user asked, “Should I know who this is?,” someone else questioned “Is this the Love Island guy?,” signalling the couple may not be as famous as they might hope and believe.
Revealing all on these Islanders partying the night away with freshers, Renae shared: “Club appearances are practically a rite of passage for ex-Islanders.
“It’s quick cash and a way to cling to a bit of relevance while people still remember their name. Not desperate, just textbook.”
Renae’s rating: 1/5
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