Does the name Chris Williamson ring any bells? Maybe if you're a religious Love Island fan or an avid podcast listener...
If not, let us refresh your memory. Chris appeared on Love Island in series one, leaving in a tearful exit after being dumped by his fellow cast members three weeks into the show. His couplings weren’t particularly of note, most ended in friendship (or full-on foes where Zoe Basia Brown was concerned) and so he was largely lost to the realm of Love Island ghosts upon his season ending.
Whilst fame and success post-Love Island are often - and unfairly – gauged upon brand and sponsorship deals these days, Chris’ career took off in a slightly different direction to the influencer route many islanders end up down.
So, where is Chris Williamson today? Thriving, we can confidently answer, as his podcast Modern Wisdom has racked up more than 400 million(!) downloads.
Who is Chris Williamson?
A podcaster, YouTuber and club promoter (as well as a self-declared ex-professional party boy and aspiring trophy husband), Chris has established himself as a modern-day triple threat.
Chris hails from Stockton-on-Tees, a market town in County Durham. When he was growing up, he excelled at cricket and played for Durham Academy. It was during his studies at Newcastle University that he began a career in nightclub promotion. According to his LinkedIn profile, it was also there that he obtained a BA degree in Business Management and a MA degree in International Marketing. Clever boy!
When was Chris Williamson on Love Island?
Chris went onto Love Island aged 27 as a model and nightclub promoter, chasing the kind of fame that would catapult the success of his party boy career. In the years since leaving, he’s confessed that he despised filming, and it was actually the intervention he needed to change his life.
‘I was living this persona of the professional party boy - the big name on campus, the guy with the hair out front [of the club], that wanted people to need him, that thought he had found the culture and industry he belonged in,’ he told the BBC. ‘Then I got on to Love Island and had nowhere to hide from people who were the person I was pretending to be. I was there with people who were genuinely extroverted, outgoing, party people. And I was just playing a role… I'd convinced myself [Love Island] was something that made me finally belong. And I didn't belong.’
He also weighed in on his experience on the show during an episode of his podcast Modern Wisdom in 2019.
'I don't think anyone that watches the show would believe... it's really fucking boring. That's not me being factitious in any way...anyone that's on it would agree.'
What is Chris Williamson's podcast about?
Upon leaving the show, Chris sought new horizons, eventually landing in the podcast space in 2018. Modern Wisdom is his attempt to learn from ‘the greatest thinkers on the planet’ as his podcast description reads. It continues, 'Understanding the world is hard. This podcast will help.'
It’s perhaps pertinent to note that there are very few female guests invited to appear on the show, plus previous guests include the likes of controversial YouTuber Dr Jordan Peterson (who denies the existence of patriarchy and other forms of structural oppression and is largely condemned by other notable scientists as proffering ‘pseudo-facts’).
To date, there has been a total of 735 episodes, covering talking points from, 'The 10 Habits Of The World's Most Successful People' to 'Can Money Actually Buy You Happiness?'
As well as being available on all streaming services, Chris also shares content via his popular YouTube channel. In the years since he launched it, 1.73 million people have clicked the subscribe button.
What is Chris Williamson's net worth?
Due to the success of his podcast, Chris is estimated to have a net worth of between £3-4million.
Does Chris Williamson have a girlfriend or wife?
There is very little evidence anywhere that Chris has a significant other in his life. His advertisement that he's an 'aspiring trophy husband' on his Instagram doesn't appear to be doing him an favours...
How old is Chris Williamson?
Chris celebrates his birthday on 23 February. However, there are some variations about whether he was born in 1987 or 1988, but we can confidently tell you is he 35. How do we know? He was 27 when he went on Love Island in the summer of 2015. Add on eight years and you’re left with 35.
How tall is Chris Williamson?
Coming in at just under 6ft, Chris is 5ft 11 or 180cm.
Does Chris Williamson have Twitter?
He does. You can find him @ChrisWillx, where he predominantly shares updates about his podcast.
Does Chris Williamson have Instagram?
You can follow Chris @chriswillx. Again you'll mainly be getting updates about Modern Wisdom.
It's undeniable that Chris has turned three weeks of Love Island viewing into a millions-strong viewership – a career advancement many islanders could only dream of.
So, whilst you might’ve forgotten he was ever even on the show, here’s Chris Williamson proving that the Molly-Mae effect was in process way before she even landed on the show. There is still success after Love Island, you just have to find the right path.