Love Island left my life in an absolute mess and made me depressed, says former Islander

Love Island star Savanna Darnell appeared at Casa Amor in 2018 and said it was ‘the most embarrassing moment of my life’ when she was not chosen to return to the main villa

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Dermot O’Leary tells Love Island’s Savanna her series is ‘best’ in 2021

Former Love Island star Savanna Darnell has revealed the negative impact appearing on the ITV show in 2018 has had on her life in a new interview ahead of the new series.

The 26-year-old showed up at Casa Amor in 2018 hoping the experience would change her life and raise the bar for her music career, but now she says she’s fallen into a “black hole”. depths of depression”.

The reality TV star describes being scouted by the show through DMs on Instagram and then meeting with various producers, where she says she’s been told “how different I am because I wore Vans to the audition.”

She told ALRIGHT! : “I was living with my brother in London at the time and he didn’t want me on the show. He thinks it’s trash and not something he wants his sister to be in. We had a heated argument and still haven’t really talked to this day. ”

Savanna claims she was flown to a “super strict quarantine” in Spain and said she was likely on the original list for her series, only to be sent home.

She said she was then flown to the show’s Casa Amor stage again and had three days to convince the boys in the main villa to switch partners.

Savanna continued: “I am working with the clock trying to make a connection. I spent a lot of time with Wes Nelson, and we shared a bed the last night. He told me he would take me to the main villa, but the next day he changed his mind.

“I asked my mother about the different scenes that were televised, when I got home, and she didn’t see any of them. So I took a look at it myself and realized that I was barely on the show.

“Out of the six girls, only two of us were not chosen. It was the most embarrassing moment of my whole life. I had to watch them excitedly prepare to move to the main villa – I just felt nauseous. ”

She continued: “I can’t even remember the flight back to the UK. I have completely blocked it from my memory. Recently, I finally started having therapy, but I still can’t discuss it. I fell into a deep black hole of depression.”

Savanna has trouble seeing the likes of Zara McDermott and Dani Dyer landing activities and attending star-studded events while she’s “doing nothing”.

She continued: “I spoke to an ITV psychologist once but it made the feelings worse so I said no to therapy anymore. Looking back, I should have asked about the medication because I really needed some help. I covered it up as best I could, but inside I was an absolute mess.

“I want to say to any contestant taking part this year: be smart and remember that there is more to life than just this show. It’s great if it works, but if it doesn’t, you still want a life to go back to. In other words, please don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

ITV has a range of care processes mandated to protect program participants, including comprehensive psychological support, training for all Islanders on the effects of social media, and handling potential negatives as well as training for all Islanders on financial management, detailed conversations with Islanders about the impact of participating in a proactive care package and guidance on post-performance management.

ITV confirmed this week: “Extended welfare measures remain in place to support show participants before, during and after filming.

“Prior to this series, program contributors will be provided with training and video instruction in inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviors and violations. ”