One of the first things the islanders are dying to do when they leave the mansion is find out how much their following has grown on social media.
In recent years, past stars have garnered hundreds of thousands of fans across their respective platforms, with the likes of Molly-Mae Hague and Olivia Attwood now having millions.
But after bosses imposed a social media ban on the families of the Love Island 2023 cast she represents while they’re in the villa, it’s had a massive impact on her reach.
It will be a blow to the islanders when they discover that only three of the six finalists have over 200,000 followers.
Many are no doubt hoping to pursue lucrative influencer careers and land clothing brands, and they’ll have to work fast to try and build their online following once they get their phones back.
Oh no: the islanders are dying to find out how much their social media followers have grown when they leave, but this year is down on last year due to a social media ban
Social media ban: Stars of the past have garnered hundreds of thousands of fans on their respective platforms over the past few years – but that hasn’t been the case with the latest batch
Series winners Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan, who became the first Casa Amor couple to ever win the £50,000 cash prize, have just 123,000 and 147,000 followers respectively on Instagram.
Runner-up Lana Jenkins does slightly better with 244,000, while Samie Elishi has the most finalists with 259,000.
Shaq Muhammad has the fewest, with less than 100,000 followers at the time of publication.
For the first time in Love Island history, the islanders’ social media profiles remained “dormant” during their time on the show.
The big change was decided by ITV producers after years of friends and family struggling to cope with the level of trolling they received managing their loved ones’ social media accounts from home.
In previous series, the islanders’ teams used their accounts to encourage viewers to vote for them and build their following – but this has led to them being trolled and falling out with other contestants’ family and friends are.
ITV has continued to evolve its due diligence protocols after season two star Sophie Gradon took his own life in June 2018 aged 32 and season three contestant Mike Thalassitis was found dead in March 2019.
Former Love Island host Caroline Flack also took her own life in February 2020 at the age of 40 after struggling with her mental health.
The next series of Love Island starts in just three months, so the cast will have to work fast if they want to maintain their online presence.
Low: Series winners Sanam and Kai, who became the first Casa Amor couple to ever win the £50,000 cash prize, have just 123,000 and 147,000 followers respectively on Instagram
Reality TV Fame: Runner-up Lana Jenkins does slightly better with 244k while Samie Elishi has the most finalists with 259k while Shaq has the lowest
Millionaire: The numbers are a far cry from Molly-Mae’s huge profile, as the YouTuber has 7.4 million followers following her stay at the villa in 2019
Sanam and Kai beat original couple Ron Hall and Lana for the £50,000 cash prize.
Tom Clare, 23, and Samie Elishi, 22, took third place in the competition, while airport security officer Shaq Muhammad, 24, and Tanya Manhenga, 22, came out first.
After her win, Sanam told Maya, 28, “I can’t believe it,” while Kai was left speechless.
She said of their romance: “For me it was always Kai, like I always said, he was my number one. Obviously he’s a very attractive guy, but I fell in love with everything. Everything about him, I just loved it. I really didn’t think I would be here. I will cry.’
Like every romance on the show, Kai and Sanam have had a rough road – after Olivia Hawkins, the gym teacher’s former love interest, left furious when his head was turned in Casa Amor – as did hers.
Champions: The social worker and gym teacher who fell in love during the Casa Amor trip were the bookmakers’ favorites to win the 2023 winter series
But Kai’s decision to pair up with Sanam again has proven worthy as they have stayed strong ever since.
In her interview, the PE teacher noted that his journey on the show has been a “roller coaster” but he’s looking forward to taking Sanam away from the glamor of the South African villa.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” he said. “But she literally blew me away. I think it’s the eyes. I always told her that it was the first conversation we had, she closed her eyes. But she doesn’t anymore! After the first we got closer and closer.
“She never leaves my side and I absolutely love her. It’s amazing in here and you have so many people working around you arranging the most amazing dates ever but I can’t wait to put my time and effort into her and show her how amazing she is.
“She’ll be my girlfriend on the outside, but I want that control. I will make it so special and I have told her so many times that on the outside she will be my friend. So keep an eye out.’
Full Love Island due diligence protocols for the 2023 series
The full due diligence process is detailed below:
Pre-filming and shooting
– Registered psychiatrist serving throughout the series – from filming to aftercare.
– Thorough psychological and medical assessments prior to filming, including assessments by an independent doctor, psychological counselor and reports from each islander’s GP to review medical histories.
– Prospective islanders must disclose fully and confidentially all medical histories that would be relevant to their acceptance into the villa and the production’s ability to provide them with a suitable environment.
– Managing Cast Expectations: Prospective cast members receive detailed verbal and written explanations of the pros and cons of participating in the series throughout the casting process and are reaffirmed in the contract so this is clear.
– Cast members are told to consider any potential implications of participating in the show and to work through this decision-making process in consultation with their family and those closest to them to ensure they feel it is the right thing for them is.
– Senior team on site received training in mental health first aid.
– A welfare team dedicated exclusively to the islanders, both during and after the show.
post-treatment
– Tailored training on how to use social media and advice on finances and how to adapt to life at home.
– Each islander will be offered at least eight therapy sessions upon their return home.
– Proactively engage with islanders for a period of 14 months after the end of the series in which they appeared, with additional assistance where necessary.
– We encourage Islanders to secure management to represent and manage them after the show should they decide to participate in other TV shows, promotional campaigns or other public appearances opportunities.