Megan Love Island Prompts New Mental Health Test For The Show’s Contestants
‘Love Island’ contestants will have to pass new mental health AND STI tests to be accepted on this year’s series, as advocated by Megan Love Island.
Reality TV star Megan Barton Hanson is one of the major catalysts for this new introduction by the Love Island bosses. She’s constantly hitting the headlines since appearing on Love Island 2018. Her most recent headline came after Megan revealed she had called an ambulance following a fatal allergic reaction to a hair dye (of all things!) that forced her to miss the trip of a lifetime to Coachella (at least she hadn’t paid for it, being the ‘influencer’ she is).
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv0osb2pMNO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
We’ve got to give it to the Love Island star- she has used her platform to shout about her battles with mental illness and has in turn helped to open up the conversation around the volatility of mental health following a stint in the Love Island villa. Following the tragic suicided of two Love Island stars- Sophie Gradon in 2018 and Mike Thalassitis earlier this year- the eyes of the Nation and the Love Island bosses have been forced open.
Bosses insisted that focus on the mental health of their contestants was paramount both during and after their stint on the island, but following the tragic losses of two of their ex contestants, as well as others opening up about their struggles, including Megan Barton Hanson, it’s been made clear that more has to be done.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BmdJpWWg-Ew/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Ahead of appearing on the ITV2 show this summer, the stars are expected to undergo “several rounds of medical tests”, including some for sexual transmitted infections, and they will reportedly attend “advance sessions with counsellors and psychologists” to ensure they can handle the upcoming fame.
A source said:
“Bosses want stars to be safe mentally and physically. Their biggest nightmare would be someone contracting an STI, so potential contestants must have several rounds of medical tests.
“Advance sessions with counsellors and psychologists have been ramped up to ensure that everyone can handle the fame.”
Show bosses are said to be prepared to axe potential contestants if they show “any hint of mental instability”.
The source added to The Sun newspaper:
“They are prepared to cut potentially strong personalities from the line-up if there is any hint of mental instability.”
In March, Richard Cowles, creative director of ITV Studios, admitted contestants on the ITV2 dating show will receive more support and ITV will be “proactively checking in” with former ‘Love Island’ stars “on a regular basis”.
He wrote:
“When something so awful happens we naturally enter a period of soul searching and ask whether anything could have been done. This review has led us to extend our support processes to offer therapy to all Islanders and not only those that reach out to us.
And we will be delivering bespoke training to all future Islanders to include social media and financial management. The key focus will be for us to no longer be reliant on the Islanders asking us for support but for us to proactively check in with them on a regular basis … We work with an independent GP and a psychological consultant to provide an assessment of the physical and mental health of each of the shortlisted cast members and their suitability for inclusion.”
While Richard made the announcement just days after former ‘Love Island’ contestant Mike Thalassitis was found dead aged 26, ITV’s chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall later insisted it would be “extremely tenuous” to link the show to his passing.
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She said:
“I don’t think anybody has made a direct link between what happened to Mike and ‘Love Island’ and that is very important to say.
“It would be an extremely tenuous thing to do given he was very happy on ‘Love Island’ and all of his mates have actually said that, and he has done two other reality TV shows in the two-year gap.
“We can do everything we possibly can to look after people and to do our duty of care but you can’t do that forever with an individual.
“There has got to be a framework and it will come to an end. It can’t be indefinite.”
What’s more, former ‘Love Island’ star Sophie Gradon died by suicide in 2018 aged 32.
A prime example of the effects instant fame and the scrutiny of the public eye can have on contestants, is Megan Barton- the bubbly blonde star of Love Island 2018.
Megan Love Island bravely opened up about to her 1.8 million followers about her struggles with depression and anxiety. The Love Island star revealed candidly that she had fought suicidal thoughts previously and had broken down to her mum because she ‘didn’t want to be alive anymore’.
The ex of Wes Nelson really let down her walls, revealing her coping mechanism to be faking a persona. Megan has also been ridiculed for her decision to undergo plastic surgery, after images of her as a teen emerged.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoxCubcAmf8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Megan’s intimate post reiterates that those characters who appear outwardly the most confident and charismatic may be the ones struggling. We have to praise and respect Megan, as she breaks her silence so will many others feel brave enough to. Her opening up raised awareness around the need for adequate mental health assessment not just during, but BEFORE and AFTER the show. Being forced so quickly and forcefully in to the limelight can be a lot for anyone, not to mention those whose mental health is volatile.
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So, who will be brave enough to take on the Island this year?
Let’s see a few of the predictions for this year’s Love Island, who – if starring in this year’s edition – will have already had their mental health assessments thanks to new regulations…
Braelin Kail- the 20 year old model
American social media star (is it just me, or does she look like Megan Love Island?) was approached on Twitter by bosses:
“I really just got asked to be on the show Love Island…”
Ercan Ramadan- the Essex charmer
He might have recently been paraded on Vicky Pattinson’s Insta, but this hasn’t stopped producers from giving him ‘the call’.
The builder is mates with 2018 winner, Jack Fincham and has also appeared on a series of TOWIE- so he’s no stranger to showbiz. Surely this one has to be a rumour though? Poor Vick…
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt_a-LYnSZR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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Jane Park- the youngest EuroMillions winner
Do we all remember when 17 year old Jane bagged a hefty £1mil, making her the youngest ever EuroMillions winner. She confessed on her Twitter at the start of this year that she had completed her 2018 new year’s resolution of no more surgery- a bit of a different one.
It’s not all it’s cracked up to be though, according to Jane, having been very unlucky in love since her win. She’s reportedly is ready to find ‘the one’ now though:
“Jane has made it clear she is on the lookout for the perfect guy and reckons Love Island is a great place to start.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwpvj0slpPe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Sairah Pinnock- Little Mixer’s sister
Does this face look familiar? It might just do, as the next rumoured Islander is none other than Little Mix singer’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s big sis!
She’s made a name for herself in her own right, running a celebrity events planning business (@inclusiveindustry). Their list of clientele of course includes her little sister’s band; we think she’d bring the party to the Island!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJVtfkHC8H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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Ethan Allen- brother to an ex- Islander
This hottie is the little brother of Love Island’s Gabby Allen, who appeared in the 2017 instalment of the show. He was rumoured to be heading on to the island last year as well, having sparked interest after surprising Gabby in her series.
Following in his sister’s footsteps…
There’s no denying the Leeds Grad is a looker, so if he was to go in I’m sure he’d have the potential to break a few hearts!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuRjPEug_Rn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Amelia Goodman- has a famous sister
She’s the little sister of reality star Chloe Goodman and Instagram influencer Lauryn Goodman! She’s not doing bad herself on the old Instagram front, either, having a healthy 22k following! So, in true sister style, she’s set to be keeping it in the family…
https://www.instagram.com/p/Boy2aN-h_ML/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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Taylor Ward- her Mum’s a Real Housewife
Just last week, the producers were scanning Durham’s Fabios bar, looking for potentials. It’s a hotspot for students, so we’re guessing there might be one or two in there!
A big rumour last year was that RHOC’s Dawn Ward’s daughter, Taylor, would be hitting the island. She didn’t quite make it there last year, but we’re thinking she might appear this time round! Hopefully she brings the drama like her Mum…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsM3AmBIpK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Arianna Ajtar- the Insta Girl
If you’ve ever scrolled through the homepage of Instagram, then you’ve probably seen this girl. She boasts a cool 320k followers on the platform, which she has cleverly monetised, developing her own brand ‘marsthelabel’ which she promotes on her page.
She’s a down to Earth Northerner who judging by her page loves a bev or 10 and having a good time. She’d be the perfect candidate to bring the glam to the island.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw4ry9RHA_W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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Mitch Palmer- dated an ex- Islander
He’s the Essex bad boy who would probably spend more time getting ready than any of the girls on the island. We’re not complaining though? He’s also mingled in the Love Island scene before, having dated ex- Islander, Kady McDermott last year for a few months until it all ended in a classic Twitter unfollow…
Calum Best- making his return
Did you know that Mr Calum Best is actually an OG Love Islander, actually appearing in the second series back in 2006? Not only did he appear, he actually WON the thing alongside another football legend’s daughter- Bianca Gascoigne. LI are apparently said to throw it back this year and one of the names in the mix is Best’s. He’d certainly be a welcomed addition…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEJHb8l71f/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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Saffron Barker- the 18 year old Vlogger
She’s the 18 year old Youtube sensation going on 30, with an impressive 1.9 mil subscribers on her channel and a 1.1 mil following on her Insta! These producers are clever and know how to target different audiences- which is certainly something getting ‘SaffyB’ on the island would achieve (all her die hard fans will be on their couches at 9pm sharp).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwHvr9Ln_hN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Samir Kamani
He’s one third of the infamous Kamani brothers, who along with their Dad, own some of the biggest fashion brands in the UK – including PLT, Boohoo and Nasty Gal; Samir’s share in particular is in Nasty Gal, easily making him millions a year. He’s said to be interested in the idea of LI, clearly not for the money in it, but for the added publicity it would bring to his brand and also genuinely to look for someone special to share his empire with.
He regularly runs in the same circles as ex- Islanders including Josh Denzel and Wes Nelson and also has been pictured getting steamy with one of our fave Islanders- Alexandra Crane, when she left the island.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv7AcdVhL8Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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Jess Hunt- the Instagram influencer
Having a scroll through her Insta is enough to leave you feeling a bit sad, with each post seeming to be from a different exotic destination! Mallorca might not be her scene…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwtrrdvF3Ni/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Holly Boon- Make-up Master
She’s recently announced her split with her long-term boyfriend, so is single and ready to mingle- and the Island might just be the place for it. She can do a thing or two with a make-up brush and if you’ve watched any of her Youtube vids, you’ll know she can bring the sass as well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXoxCGlyel/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Brad Howard- Scotty Special’s mate
He’s actually good mates with ex- Islander Scotty Special, who went down as a fan favourite. If he’s anything like Scotty, we think he’ll be a hit…
His good looks will help him along as well, look at him! Is anyone shocked he’s a model? He also has his own clothing brand ‘IL Sarto’, so realistically he surely can’t need the money LI would earn him!
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