Love Island USA has taken the past two Summers by storm – for better, or for worse. Season 6 & 7 provide some of the best examples as to why you need a good PR team behind you and some serious media training in place.
Islanders, it’s time to get a PR team! 😰 Before you enter the villa, let’s talk about how your digital footprint is a permanent one and how to prep for what’s to come once the show airs.
your past will come back to haunt you…
You’ve heard it before, and it can’t be emphasized enough, your digital footprint will follow you. IG stories are made to only last 24 hours, but screenshots are forever. And not to mention the internet sleuths will dig far back into your past, especially if you’re in the public eye. No one knows this better than some of our season 7 Islanders.
At the very beginning of the season, before the show had even premiered, cast member Yulissa Escobar had an old podcast clip go viral of her using a racial slur. She ended up being kicked out of the villa, in the middle of the night, after just one day of being on Love Island. You know the saying “the devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder” – yeah, so does the internet.
Fast forward to much later into the season when a screenshot of a story of Cierra Ortega dropped of her using a racial slur. It was later revealed that this was not a one-time occurrence. Fans and viewers demanded she be kicked off the show for this resurfaced content. Following suit, Cierra was asked to leave in an off camera moment on July 4th (Episode 30), despite having one of the strongest connections perceived in the villa with fellow islander Nick.
While some people’s digital footprints can be funny and a sign of the times, like islander Huda’s old singing videos, it’s safe to say that’s not always the case. When entering into the world of reality TV or corporate America, being mindful of your digital footprint is extremely important. No one is perfect – many people have made questionable decisions in their earlier years. But it might be a good time to go through your socials and clean up anything that doesn’t align with your values.
Islander to Influencer
Season 6 absolutely changed the game for Love Island USA. This season was the biggest the USA branch of this franchise has ever seen, and no one saw it coming.
The core cast of season six was so beloved by fans, that walking out of the villa, some had gained millions of followers from the show alone. Leah, also known as the “People’s Princess,” went absolutely viral while in the villa for her authentic personality and meme-able comments. Plus, the girl group known as PPG (Serena, JaNa, and Leah) and their significant others, were admired around the world.
Similarly, season 7’s “People’s Princess,” Amaya Papaya, ended up winning the season with her partner Bryan. And who can forget about one of the most polarizing Love Island cast members from season 7, Huda, coming out of the villa with more followers than the main Love Island page itself.
While they enter the villa as regular people, they leave with a lot of influence, and on the brink of stardom. It opens up endless opportunities, but also presents a lot of risks.
From the success of their season, the season six cast members struck up deals with top name brands such as Dunkin’, Cheez-its, Savage x Fenty, Jose Cuervo, and more. They also were able to secure the first ever Love Island spin-off following their everyday lives, “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.”
Now time for the crash (out) course…
With the right PR team you can continue to grow your following, make a name for yourself, and have endless brand deals/opportunities in front of you. And, it helps to handle reputation management, in the event that you need it (and some islanders need it).
The most recent example is the very messy, and unexpected, break up between season 6’s JaNa and Kenny.
After a year of dating and being featured on Love Island: Beyond The Villa, JaNa and Kenny had a very messy split this past July. Apologies on social media, PPG coming in to defend JaNa against false narratives, and a very public crash out; there are many rumors going around about what happened; all of which are not painting Kenny’s image in a good light. It’s safe to say he needs a PR crisis team – stat.
In another breath, Cierra released an apology video, wearing a sweater with the word “empathy” on it, which some people deemed performative. She later posted a video to her TikTok account saying she received a villian edit – not helping her case at all.
A good PR team are able to work with you to figure out the next steps forward and have your best interest in mind, all while sticking true to their personal brand.
The drama of Love Island USA, whether in the villa or on social media, is all part of the entertainment. But for the Islanders, it’s their life, their reputation, and their future.
So, before you pack your bags for the villa, remember to pack a solid PR plan too. Your future self will thank you for it.