We’re sure we’re not the first ones to tell you, but being a reality star isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Despite an influx of followers and the positive career moves that can follow for some former contestants, many of them return from production sets to be scrutinised, with a fair few internet trolls to boot. It means - in recent years - that the aftercare on shows like ITV’s Love Island has been strengthened.
Speaking to Grazia before her appearance on MTV Celebs On The Farm, Montana Brown has perfectly summarised why some people struggle following their time on shows like Love Island. ‘For Love Island, it's so hard - because the best part about that show is being on the show,' she says.
'You're very sheltered from the outside world, like you make such amazing connections like it is a once in a lifetime opportunity,’ she adds. ‘And I would always recommend, like if people come up to me and say, you know, should I apply for Love Island I'm like, do it, it was the best thing ever.’
However, according to Montana, it’s when people leave the villa that the difficulties begin. (Montana sadly lost close friend and co-star Mike Thalassitis, who took his own life in 2019.) ‘The tricky bit starts as soon as you leave, because I don't think as a person, as a human being, it's natural to go from nobody knowing who you are to that level of like people knowing who you are,’ she says.
The 25-year-old elaborates on why reality fame can be so weird to handle - when the whole country wants to know what you're doing, but some people won't work with you because you're a reality star. ‘You're famous because people always want to picture with you or the paparazzi follow you up to your house and everyone wants to know your business,’ she says. ‘But then also a lot of brands don't want to work with you, because you're not seen as like an A-lister. You're the lowest form of famous, but then everyone wants a piece of you - so it's a catch 22. Because a lot of people don't want anything to do with you because there is such a perception of the type of person that goes on that show.’
Montana - who owns bikini range Swim Society - adds that it's important not to assume anything about the people who go on reality shows. ‘It's hard to break those stereotypes,' she says. 'Because people assume they’re all they're really dumb, they don't have any qualifications, or they've got nothing to offer, or they just look good. Like all they've got is their looks. But you know, there is substance underneath these people. And sometimes I think people forget that they are human beings and like they do have feelings. And a lot of them are very intelligent.’
Celebs On The Farm starts on Monday February 8 at 9pm.
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