I was a Love Island bombshell and here’s what you DON’T see in the villa: Jay Younger reveals how much is really shown in Casa Amor and what new Islanders are told before their debut
- Latest teasers, exclusives and updates for Winter Love Island 2023 right here
Love Island star Jay Younger has revealed exactly what it takes to be a show bombshell and the secrets that go on behind villa doors.
Jay, 29, appeared on the 2022 series and quickly made an impression on his fellow Islanders, luring Ekin-Su Culculoglu away from Davide Sanclimenti before having his head turned by Paige Thorne.
After failing to win Paige’s affections, and upsetting partner Antigoni Buxton in the process, Jay found romance in Casa Amor, opting to bring Chyna Ellis back into the main villa.
Yet things weren’t meant to be and the couple were dumped from the show after admitting their relationship was a platonic one.
Now watching the current series, Jay has predicted that the new bombshells have ‘zero chance’ of success on the series and explained Casa Amor filming isn’t as intense as you think.
Bombshell: Love Island star Jay Younger has revealed exactly what it takes to be a show bombshell and the secrets that go on behind villa doors
Speaking to Ice36.co.uk, Jay revealed how much bombshells are told about their fellow contestants prior to entering the show.
He revealed that they are encouraged to watch the programme like regular viewers in order to get a taste of villa life, however, the amount they can see is restricted.
Jay explained: ‘When I went out I had to quarantine for two weeks and in that two weeks, we were allowed to watch up to one [episode] behind what you guys were watching at home.
‘I was delayed, but I was allowed to watch all the episodes so I got to know all the contestants in the villa, their names, what they looked like and how they were as a person, so I was able to get a good measure of what it was going to be like before going in.’
He added that when it comes to the success of a bombshell it’s all down to timing, predicting that newcomers Rosie Seabrook and Keanan Brand will end up leaving empty handed.
Jay explained: ‘It’s all down to timing. If you go in as an early bombshell, you’ve got just as good a chance to get to know someone as anyone else does.
‘If you come in as a late bombshell and the timing isn’t great, you’ve literally got zero chance.
‘In our series, there were four new bombshells that came in during the last week, they were never going to get a chance. Timing is really important.’
Good luck! Now watching the current series, Jay has predicted that the new bombshells have ‘zero chance’ of success on the series (bombshells Jessie Wynter and Rosie Seaford pictured with original stars Lana Jenkins and Tanya Manhenga)
This year’s series has seen the villa face many ups and downs in the wake of Casa Amor, including a toxic femininity row after the female Islanders were accused of gaslighting and manipulating the boys for their behaviour in the second villa.
Yet having experienced Casa Amor firsthand, Jay revealed that things aren’t as intense as they’re made out because they only film for a few hours a day.
When the cameras aren’t rolling the boys and girls are separated to ensure no juicy moments are missed, with the Islanders banned from discussing villa life until the film crew returns.
Jay explained: ‘One day they’ll be filming the girls during the day and then at night they’ll be filming the boys – when they’re on the other villa is off.
‘Typically they’ll separate the boys and the girls when you’re not filming. For example, I was in the original villa with the Casa girls, we would all be separated and we wouldn’t be allowed to talk to each other and then the boys weren’t allowed to talk about villa life, your relationships with other people, you just had to let it be.’
As for the drama that occurs when partners stray from their couples, Jay confessed: ‘The producers know that Casa Amor is the highlight of most of the series, it’s where most of the drama happens.
‘Ultimately, they just want to make a good TV show, so if there is someone in there who seems to be in a stable couple or relationship, there will be someone in their ear probably saying “I think you should explore and be open minded to getting to know this person,” and they can kind of gently push you into maybe exploring a connection where you probably wouldn’t have.’
It’s a problem that Jay encountered himself on the show, admitting that he was too easily swayed in the villa.
Wasn’t meant to be: Jay, 29, appeared on the 2022 series and quickly made an impression on his fellow Islanders, luring Ekin-Su Culculoglu away from Davide Sanclimenti
He confessed: ‘At the start I think I was easily swayed to do certain things, maybe had I been a bit more independent in my thinking, things might have been different but it’s the way I played it and the way I was told to play it.
‘I trusted the process. I don’t have any regrets, but obviously I think everyone could probably play things differently had they known what they know now.’
Yet there are no plans to return to the villa like Adam Collard, with Jay more than happy back at his 9-5 job as an Investment Analyst.
He confessed: ‘Nah, I don’t think it was for me! One was enough for me, I’m grateful for the experience and I’d be grateful if they asked me but, I’m all good, I’m OK thanks.’
LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Tanya Manhenga
Name: Tanya Manhenga
Age: 22
Location: Liverpool
Occupation: Student and model
Something not many people know about her: ‘I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you may not even notice it.’
‘It’s on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute.’
‘I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.’
Lana Jenkins
Name: Lana Jenkins
Age: 25
Location: Luton
Occupation: Makeup artist
Something not many people know about her: ‘In my work as a makeup artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities.
‘Also, when I was 6-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.’
Claudia Fogarty
Name: Claudia Fogarty
Age: 28
Location: Blackburn
Occupation: Fashion boutique owner
Something not many people know about her: ‘If a guy has a cup of tea or a coffee and they make a slurp noise and say, “Oh that was a really good brew”.
‘Just no, drink it and get on with it, I don’t like a slurper.’
Olivia Hawkins
Name: Olivia Hawkins
Age: 27
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Ring girl and actress
Something not many people know about her: ‘I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life.’
‘I’ve been a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress in James Bond with Daniel Craig and I’ve also been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.’
Tom Clare
Name: Tom Clare
Age: 23
Location: Barnsley
Occupation: Semi-Pro Footballer
Something not many people know about him: I’m a High School Musical fan
Name: Samie Elishi
Age: 22
Location: London
Occupation: Senior Estate Agent Coordinator
Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m a really honest person and I have no filter. I won’t take rubbish from anyone, especially when it comes to guys!’
Name: Maxwell Samuda
Age: 23
Location: London
Occupation: Finance Student and Restaurant Host
Who did he have his eye on in Casa Amor? Samie. She keeps it real and she seems like she’s not afraid to speak her mind.
Name: Rosie Seaford
Age: 24
Location: Buckinghamshire
Occupation: Industry Placement Advisor
Something not many people know about her: ‘I have a really bad phobia of frozen food, I can’t touch frozen food.’
Kai Fagan
Name: Kai Fagan
Age: 24
Location: Manchester
Occupation: Science and PE teacher
Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a Jamaican citizen. Because of that I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.’
‘I play semi-professional rugby now for Burnage RFC.’
‘I’ve technically got three different degrees and went to three different unis.’
Ron Hall
Name: Ron Hall
Age: 25
Location: Essex
Occupation: Financial advisor
Something not many people know about him: ‘On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye.’
‘It was the result of a football injury when I was 8. I’ve got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green.’
Will Young
Name: Will Young
Age: 23
Location: Buckinghamshire
Occupation: Farmer
Something not many people know about him: ‘Every night I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes.’
‘A girl I was seeing told me to meditate, I tried it and loved it. I stopped seeing her and carried on meditating!
‘It’s a nice way to self reflect.’
Shaq Muhammad
Name: Shaq Muhammad
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Airport security officer
Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’
‘Every time I watch Dear John I cry.
That’s my favourite film. Any time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic film’, I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’
Jessie Wynter
Name: Jessie Wynter
Age: 26
Location: Sydney
Occupation: Personal Trainer
Something you may not know about her: She was on series two of Love Island Australia
Name: Casey O’Gorman
Age: 26
Location: Tring
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m really squeamish. I once cut my hand and passed out’
Name: Sanam Harrinanan
Age: 24
Location: Bedford
Occupation: Social Worker
Who did she have her eye on in Casa Amor? ‘Kai is my number one. Job wise I think that we’d connect a lot and I think he’s cute!’
Name: Keanan Brand
Age: 24
Location: Wigan
Occupation: Professional Rugby Player
Something he would put in his dating profile: ‘I’m of Irish heritage so I’ve always got the luck of the Irish with me.’
Source: Read Full Article