For some of its contestants like Olivia and Alex Bowen and Molly-Mae Hague, Love Island is a one-way ticket to full-time influencing and raking in the big bucks but, for many, especially those who only appear on the show for a short time, social media work isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Just ask 2021 contestant, Rachel Finni, (she’s the one who was forced to choose between Brad McClelland and Chuggs Wallis right at the beginning of the series) who recently discovered that spon con doesn't always pay.
When asked by fans on TikTok, “What job would you like to have in the future?”, she informed her followers that she had had a bit of career change since leaving the villa saying, “A lot of people don’t know this, but I’ve actually gone back to working in hospitality which I’m really enjoying so far.
“My end goal is to focus as much as I can on my career, keep doing influencing on the side and hopefully one day be a housewife with my babies.”
Not with Brad or Chuggs though obviously…
CHECK OUT Love Island's most brutal dumpings ever
Love Island's most brutal dumpings EVER - slider
1 of 8Shannon Singh
Despite being one of the most talked about potential contestants ever, former glamour model Shannon was brutually dumped from the villa after just three days when she was left single by late arrival Chloe Burrows choosing to couple up with Aaron Francis. It was the quickest dumping in Love Island history with most dumpings occurring at least a week after the Islanders have all settled in.
2 of 8Charlie Brake and Ellie Brown
In 2018, blonde babes Charlie and Ellie were brutally dumped after a day out at the Island Beach Club, never to return to the villa. Asked how they felt about leaving, Ellie said it was 'bittersweet', while Charlie admitted he was ready to live. The pair later split after Charlie was accused of cheating.
3 of 8Rachel Fenton
In possibly the finest act of reality TV chivalry we've seen, Rykard Jenkins sensationally quit Love Island after his girl Rachel Fenton was dumped from the Island after a day out on the beach. The pair walked off into the sea together before collecting their belongings. Cute!
4 of 8Sherif Lanre
In 2019, Sherif was dramatically removed from the villa after "breaking the rules" during an incident with Molly-Mae Hague. Revealing what happened that got him booted, he revealed he accidentally kicked Molly-Mae in the groin and called it a "c--t punt". Sherif said, "I did kick Molly-Mae in the groin area, but it was an accident and she 100 per cent was not injured afterwards."She did appear to be in pain at first but then she stood up and seemed fine and we started laughing about it."
5 of 8Zara McDermott
Zara was one of 2018's bombshells, but she didn't last in the villa long despite finding love with Adam Collard. She was dumped from the villa after the boys Josh, Jack, Sam and Wes opted to give her the boot over Ellie and Megan and she sobbed when she was forced to leave Adam behind.
6 of 8Jonny Mitchell
Jonny was voted off the 2017 series when he was voted one of four least popular Islanders in a savage public vote. After the rest of the villa whittled the four names down to just two - Jonny and love interest Tyla Carr - it was Jonny who was sent packing. Cue the now infamous line "if she liked Jonny she would go home with him" line from Theo Campbell.
7 of 8Georgia Steel and Sam Bird
In 2018, 'loyal' Georgia Steel and Sam Bird were dumped from the villa when they refused to couple up with anybody apart from each other and instead chose to walk away from the villa together. Earlier on, the pair found themselves shunned by both the public and their fellow islanders earlier in the week, the two chose to split up and stay in the villa rather than go home as a couple but had a change of heart in a dramatic recoupling.
8 of 8Dom Lever
Love Island 2017 star Dom Lever (and all of us) were left SHOCKED when Jess Shears was sensationally dumped from the villa early on. However, it was his decision to stay in the villa that led their relationship to grow even stronger as he refused to get to know anyone else, even during his stay in Casa Amor. Dom was later dumped when Montana - who he was in a friendship couple with - decided to recouple with newbie Alex.
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Explaining further in a more recent TikTok, Rachel admitted, “Whilst I make a good amount from influencing, I’m going to be completely honest, it’s not enough for me to live my life off.
“In the very beginning when I came out I did have a lot more opportunities than I do now but also with applying for a mortgage, I haven’t been doing it long enough or earning enough just to solely survive off it.”
WATCH the top TV moments of 2021
And Rachel isn’t the only 2021 star who’s ditched fame and returned to her day job as Georgia Townend revealed last year that she’s gone back to being a marketing executive for Lidl.
Explaining a bit about her role, Georgia said, “My degree was in food and nutrition so that is my passion project, that’s always been my area of expertise. During my degree, I did a placement year and I worked in food manufacturing, which I really enjoyed, but I knew when I graduated, I wanted to move retail side because for me, the joy comes out of bringing end products to customers.
“I joined Lidl on the graduate scheme about six years ago. Obviously, I’m not on the graduate scheme anymore, I’m a fully-fledged employee and my role is in a marketing function.”