Zara McDermott: ‘Nothing Can Prepare You For The Amount Of Trolling You’ll Get As A Love Island Contestant’

This week on Love Island has been full of shock twists and turns – beginning with Joanna being dumped from the island in what looked, to me, like one of the most brutal dumpings yet, after her partner Michael chose to stay in the island (and then made a beeline back to his ex, Amber, who in turn chose new guy Greg). The week then ended up with Michael being kicked out of the villa after he was rejected by Amber.

But while everyone was watching that particular love triangle play out, something else has been going on in the background, because we’ve also seen the arrival of Greg, India and Harley in the villa. Harley is a really good friend of mine, she’s got a heart of gold and is an amazing person, so I’m so pleased that people will get a chance to get to see a bit more of her personality in the next few weeks.

But, because she’s my friend, I’ve been shocked to see the amount of internet trolling she’s received since entering the show. Harley doesn’t take herself too seriously, and I really hope a few tweets and memes won’t have affected her too much, but it’s been really upsetting to see nasty images and tweets circulating about someone I consider to be a good friend, especially knowing that she’s unaware of it, and isn’t able to defend herself.

It’s reminded me just how much trolling like this has become part of the Love Island experience for contestants, and I don’t think anything can ever fully prepare you for it. The week that you leave the Villa is full of mixed emotions. Being catapulted into the spotlight is an experience you can’t really describe. And for islanders, that rise to fame is instantaneous and scary – I can’t think of many other instances where you become such a public figure overnight like that.

And one of the first things contestants become obsessed with when they get out of the villa? Googling their name, reading comments.

If you’re not used to hundreds of thousands of people commenting on your appearance and actions, then you will no doubt have your moments where you will struggle. One night last summer I didn’t want to leave my family house abroad because I was so hurt and devastated by the awful comments I was receiving on a picture of myself in a bikini.

It’s hard. But my best advice to anyone coming out of that villa is... delete the mean comments, the nasty messages, or make it a rule never to read them at all. Adam was the ‘villain’ of last years Villa, and he would receive a lot of abuse online. But did anyone ever say anything to his face? Not once. We must have met thousands of people, and not once did he receive any personal abuse. It was all online. People hide behind their screens. Delete the comments and by doing that you are taking away their power.

And my advice to anyone about to sending that trolling message about one of the contestants on tonight’s show? Stop and think – if it’s not something you’d say to them IRL (and I’m guessing it’s not) then don’t say it online.

Elsewhere in the villa…

This week we also saw Maura and Curtis growing daily. Initially I wasn’t sure about these two. I felt as though it was a bit forced from both sides and I didn’t see them as compatible. I think because previously Curtis was seen as the ‘dad’ of the Villa, I didn’t think he would be compatible with Maura, who seems more wild, free spirited and carefree.

However they are both attractive people so I knew the attraction would be there! Despite this, on their first date outside the Villa last night, I think we saw a much more shy, nervous energy from Maura. I think she is becoming vulnerable with Curtis, which is a key way to know that she’s definitely falling for him. Curtis’ energy seems more upbeat and fun than ever before, proving that the two together are a good match!

In case you’re wondering, my predictions for this years’ winners are for sure either Greg and Amber or Molly and Tommy. I knew Molly before she went into the Villa and I know she never expected to get this far, or find love! I can’t believe where she’s got to and I’m really proud of her. For that reason I will be voting for Molly and Tommy for sure!

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