WHILST reaching the Love Island final might seem like a golden ticket to fame and fortune and an endless career in the spotlight, things don’t always go quite to plan for the Islanders.
Despite most of the show’s finalists going on to enjoy successful careers, including some as A-listers and multi-millionaires, for an unlucky few, they plunged back into obscurity just months after their time in the spotlight.
8
8
Whilst many dream of the seven-figure deals that roll in for icons including Molly-Mae Hague, Ekin-Su and Maura Higgins – a handful of Islanders haven’t been so fortunate.
As another four couples head into this Monday’s Love Island final, will they be set for life or will one or two of them fall victim to the curse of disappearing from relevancy like these stars.
The Sun has compiled a list of the famous finalists who failed to strike it big and make an impact after their summer of love in the spotlight.
Paul Knops
8
Hunky model Paul was already well on the way to making a name for himself after becoming one of the world’s most in-demand male models.
He was even chosen to be Britney Spears‘ love interest for her racy 2016 music video, Make Me…, which saw him getting hot and heavy with the star.
So when Paul strutted into the Love Island villa as a late entrant in 2018, it seemed like a no-brainer that he was on track to become a top star.
Paul coupled up with fan favourite Laura Anderson after her split from Wes Nelson.
Laura and Paul ended up making it all the way to second place – just behind Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham.
But the pair quickly split up after Majorca and whilst Laura remained in the headlines and on TV screens, Paul’s star faded just as quick as his time in the villa.
Whilst his looks haven’t faded, it seems the handsome fella prefers living a quieter life away from the hustle and bustle of influencer life.
Paul still models and his Instagram shows him picture perfect at all times with his new long-haired locks.
Lana Jenkins
8
When blonde stunner Lana was revealed to be an Islander on series nine of the show in 2023, she seemed like a ready made celebrity.
She quickly found herself besotted with partner Ron Hall and they managed to make it all the way to second place in the villa.
But despite Lana aligning herself with the same team behind Olivia Attwood, she failed to make a dent in the entertainment industry after her time on the show.
Despite the expectation of big brand deals, Lana’s commercial work was limited and it wasn’t long until her romance with co-star Ron also crumbled at the same time her career stalled.
Although she failed to hit the big time, Lana still boasts 500,000 fans on Instagram and shows off glam snaps from her plush travels around the world.
She also runs her own home Instagram account to show off her passion for interior design.
Josh Oyinsan
8
Despite only winning the show last summer alongside then-partner, Mimii Ngulube, Josh struggled to translate his win into a long-lasting media career.
When Josh and Mimii quickly split following their win, interest in the couple wavered and Josh failed to land any major gigs despite being crowned a champion.
Whilst Josh has managed to land a number of paid partnerships on Instagram after the show, it pales in comparison to some of the brand deals landed by his counterparts.
His passion for wellness and advocating for the mental health of young athletes has been commendable however and earned him a legion of support.
Ched Uzor
8
Series six Islander Ched was another star whose place in the final did not guarantee a lengthy career afterwards.
He found himself in a relationship with Jess Gale and the loveable pair managed to make it to fourth place on the programme.
But their love did not prevail and they called it quits shortly after the show.
Ched then found his own career disrupted by the Covid pandemic and he failed to land any big-money gigs.
However, despite turning his back on fame, Ched has managed to carve out an online fitness business.
Known for his impressive figure and muscly body, Ched has put this to use by helping his followers get in shape and achieve a dream body like his.
Titled Shred with Ched, he has launched the app to become an instant personal trainer to people up and down the country.
Some of the services that Ched offers includes one-to-one coaching as well as personally curated nutrition and workout plans for each client.
Tanya Manhenga
8
Like her co-star Lana, Tanya hoped that her time on series nine of Love Island would turn her into a money-spinning star.
However, the reality was very different.
After finishing in fourth place with then-boyfriend, Shaq Muhammad, Tanya struggled to replicate the success of the ladies who came before her after failing to couple up with a big-money fashion brand.
These days, Tanya is living a single life after splitting with Shaq and enjoys a jet-setting lifestyle.
Helping her travelling habit is her latest venture titled Grooves with TT.
It is Tanya’s own touring club night featuring exclusively Amapiano music.
The star held her first club night in Manchester earlier this year with plans for an event in London next month before taking it across Europe.
She also kept her post-villa income topped up with her own wig business, called Tay Slay Wigs.
Lauren Richardson
8
Lauren managed to make it all the way to the final of Love Island back in 2015.
Despite being coupled up with Josh Ritchie, that didn’t help her when it came to securing a top career.
Whilst Josh has been a TV regular and shot to even greater fame thanks to his romance with Charlotte Crosby, Lauren quickly faded into obscurity.
Heavily tattooed Lauren is worlds away from the typical Islander, with her Instagram feed showing a much more demure and laid-back life in comparison to the glitz and glam of the usual crop of ITV2 stars.
Lauren hasn’t updated her feed since 2021 and chooses to keep her life out of the spotlight.
Exactly a decade from her time in the Majorcan villa, Lauren has shunned fame and now works as a PE teacher and nutritionist.
