It might look like paradise on our TV screens, but not everyone agrees.
Former Love Island star, Zara Holland, has spoken out in a new video interview about the challenges she’s faced since her time on the show in 2016.
Speaking in a BBC video, Zara admits: “I’ve been seeing my own psychiatrist and psychologist since January, and I’m on anti-depressants.”
She went on to reveal: “I was just not the same girl that I was [before]. I would be so upset all the time, I would be tired. It was really hard, really hard.”
The former Miss Great Britain – who was stripped of her title thanks to her appearance on the show – added that she had “death threats,” afterwards, and would torture herself by reading all the awful comments from viewers.
Zara, now 22, also pulled back the curtain on the reality show, claiming it was, “so controlled in there” and calling it a, “posh prison”.
She claims two producers live in the villa alongside contestants, coaching them on what to do and talk about, and even telling them when to sleep and eat.
Read more: As Love Island’s Georgia and Sam exit, fans rage over Josh “pulling faces”
It follows the shocking death of her friend and fellow Love Island star, Sophie Gradon, in June. The pair appeared on the same series of the show and Zara admitted that the loss “still doesn’t seem true.”
Taking to Instagram after the funeral service earlier this month, Zara wrote: “On Thursday I said my goodbyes to our beautiful Sophie, along with her Family and friends.
“It was the most terrible day of my life, I still can’t believe we won’t see you again.
“If there’s a few things I can say to everyone reading this is to make sure you talk to others, check they are ok, live life to the max and think before you speak.
“Social media is cruel and toxic at times, you do not realise how comments make others feel.”
In a separate interview, Zara’s mum Cheryl Hakeyney admitted she regretted not stopping her daughter going on the ITV2 show.
In fact, she says: “If I could turn the clock back, I’d tell her don’t go.”
She added: “It was heartbreaking to hear people say terrible things about your child. Some of it was damn-right bullying, cruel and nasty.”
“It was like a film in my opinion, they pick the weak one, the strong one, the popular one, the pretty one, the not-so-pretty one, and some people are going to have a ball because they’re in the prime position.
“But if you’re the slightly weaker one… or you’re going to get the abuse… you’ve got to be prepared for that, because it is hugely life changing.”
Despite the challenges Zara has faced since the TV show, she now has her own fashion line called Mimi Boutique, and regularly posts on social media as a brand ambassador for gym products.
Read more: This Morning viewers’ mixed reaction to new presenters
In response to the interview, producers of the show told the BBC: “All of our islanders are offered psychological support before, during and after their time in the villa.
“We take our duty of care very seriously and that is always our top priority. We discuss with islanders before and after the show how their lives might change and the difficulties they might face.”
What do you think of the reality show? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!