Olivia Hawkins blames Love Island for her never having had a boyfriend at age 30 – as she likens the reality show to the Hunger Games

Love Island star Olivia Hawkins has blamed the show for her still being single and never having had a boyfriend at aged 30.

The former ring girl has had two cracks at love on the ITV2 show, in 2023 and on this year’s All Stars version, but failed to find a lasting connection. 

And in a new interview, Olivia suggested that the way she was edited as a troublemaker in the villa has contributed to her relationship woes, before likening the programme to The Hunger Games. 

Speaking to The Sun, the brunette beauty lamented her love life and compared the show to the dystopian film series that sees teens battle to the death as ‘you never know when you’re going to be dumped’.

On how her appearance affected her dating life, Olivia explained: ‘I find dating hard because the majority of people I meet have watched Love Island, or know of my character on the show. It’s hard not to be prejudged.

‘I was the villain of the villa. They just saw me as a fiery character. Now I get told I’m quite intimidating. Men don’t approach me because they think I won’t be responsive. But that’s a misconception. I’m the most approachable person ever. Men think I’ll be hard work, and of course I like the finer things in life, but I provide that for myself.’

Love Island star Olivia Hawkins has blamed the show for her still being single and never having had a boyfriend at aged 30

The former ring girl has had two cracks at love on the ITV2 show, in 2023 and on this year’s All Stars version, but failed to find a lasting connection [pictured in January]

The TV personality went on to say that after appearing on the show, she felt like she ‘lost myself a bit’ and after being ‘painted’ as someone with a certain ‘persona’, wondered if she had to ‘keep that up’. 

Her first stint in the Majorcan villa saw her couple up with the likes of Will Young, Haris Namani and Kai Fagan, with the series seeing her being branded a ‘hypocrite’, labelled a ‘schemer’ for clashing with her co-stars and dividing audiences with her upfront opinions.

While her second stay earlier this year saw her face backlash for seemingly trying to split Grace Jackson and Luca Bish up after she claimed to have seen leaked message of Grace declaring she’d do anything to win. 

And reflecting upon her experiences, Olivia told how her reputation has seemingly put men off her as she detailed her desire to settle down with someone. 

She said: ‘All I want is a partner to be there for me and be my soulmate, and to have a shoulder to lean on. I’d just love someone to take me for being me and get to know the person away from the screen.’

She noted that she felt that she had to really ‘try and prove everyone wrong’ and show a ‘different side’ to her instead of just putting herself first.

Olivia woes comes a month after she was reportedly said to be dating a hunky boxer and Netflix star, weeks after she locked lips with her Celebs Go Dating co-star Louis Russell. 

The former Love Islander was said to have sparked up a romance with Too Hot To Handle star Kelechi Dyke, 31, with the pair having been on a few dates. 

In a new interview, Olivia suggested that the way she was edited as a troublemaker in the villa has contributed to her relationship woes, before likening the programme to The Hunger Games

The brunette beauty lamented her love life and compared the show to the dystopian film series that sees teens battle to the death as ‘you never know when you’re going to be dumped’ [Jennifer Lawrence pictured in The Hunger Games]

‘I find dating hard because the majority of people I meet have watched Love Island, or know of my character on the show. It’s hard not to be prejudged’

‘I was the villain of the villa. They just saw me as a fiery character. Now I get told I’m quite intimidating. Men don’t approach me because they think I won’t be responsive. But that’s a misconception’

And according to The Sun, things were certainly hotting up between the pair and were getting ‘quite serious’.

A source told the publication: ‘Liv was linked to fellow Celebs Go Dating co-star Louis Russell when production on the series first started.

‘But since then she’s been on a series of dates with boxer Kelechi ‘Kelz’ Dyke, which have been filmed for the show.

‘Netlix fans will know him from Too Hot To Handle as well, so he is well versed in reality TV. But the chemistry between him and Liv is genuine and they are really into each other.’

The insider cryptically added: ‘Watch this space.’ 

Olivia’s romance news comes shortly after she was spotted locking lips with another Too Hot To Handle favourite and fellow Celebs Go Dating star Louis Russell during filming in Ibiza. 

The Love Island beauty and the hunk were just days into shooting the new series of the Channel 4 dating show last month – and it seemed sparks were already flying.

The pair already had fans speculating about their relationship status after a flirty exchange on social media before heading out to the sun-soaked Spanish island. 

Olivia woes comes a month after she was reportedly said to be dating a hunky boxer and Netflix star, weeks after she locked lips with her Celebs Go Dating co-star Louis Russell 

The former Love Islander was said to have sparked up a romance with Too Hot To Handle star Kelechi Dyke [pictured], 31, with the pair having been on a few dates

In photos obtained by The Sun, Olivia and Louis could be seen sharing a very steamy kiss during a lively pool party as they packed on the PDA.

A show insider told the publication: ‘It usually takes a few weeks for things to spice up but not with these two.

‘Within 48 hours of arriving in Ibiza the sexual spark between them was obvious.

‘They clearly couldn’t resist each other,’ they added.

MailOnline contacted reps for Olivia and Louis for comment at the time.