Bombshell Love Island Secrets: Beauty Routines, Condoms, Lunch & More

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There’s just something about the way Love Island makes people feel.

I must confess, some might find it utterly absurd, but let’s face it, the world of modern dating is as intriguing as ever, and that includes the myriad of dating shows gracing our screens today. From the enchanting dynamics of ‘Love Is Blind’ to the captivating tales of ’90 Day Fiancé’, these reality series certainly keep us guessing!

This series – whether it’s the original British version, the Australian remake, or “Love Island USA,” currently airing on its 7th season on Peacock – doesn’t strive to be anything more than what it is: A lighthearted, sun-kissed entertainment.

From my perspective as a lifestyle guide, at the culmination of this captivating journey, one fortunate duo, selected by the audience, will walk away with an enticing $100,000 prize, devoid of any marriage proposal expectations. For the rest of our beloved participants, they’ll cherish the precious memories forged within these walls and perhaps tentatively arrange encounters beyond the villa, as they navigate life’s adventures together.

Jeremiah Brown expressed to TopMob News following his unexpected elimination on June 22, “There were many ups and downs throughout the process. But at the end of the day, it’s all about the experience.

But would he do it all over again?

“Depending on the premise, I probably would,” he said. “The crew, everyone here is phenomenal.”

Hannah Fields, however, remained more apprehensive as she wasn’t entirely convinced it was all in good fun, viewing the situation as an unpleasant prank.

Fans are still left guessing about the reasons behind the decision, and Hannah wasn’t given any insights either. Later, she shared with TopMob, “I’m completely clueless as to whether someone was trying to undermine me or support me, and it’s something I wish I had more clarity on.

It’s possible that more will become clear as time goes on, but it’s still quite a journey until the next rulers of Love Island USA are chosen.

Over a span of six weeks, this popular television series is continuously being filmed and edited concurrently, with new episodes released daily, except for Wednesdays (referred to as “hump day”). This results in 36 episode seasons, along with an additional reunion episode.

Yup, that’s a lot of love, breakfast and betrayal.

Behind the scenes, where the cooking of chemistry is happening on camera, maintaining the islanders’ well-being, including their meals, hairstyles, tans, and readiness for any challenge – be it a dance-off with judge Megan Thee Stallion or facing drama in Casa Amor – requires a whole community.

You may have some queries, and since the prize from Love Island’s seventh season is yet to be claimed, here are some insights into the show that might help answer them.

Each day, we have more than enough video footage captured by 85 concealed cameras to compile into a one-hour program.

However, editors quickly transform the footage captured on Monday into the episode that airs the next day (Tuesday), following this pattern.

Fortunately, Fiji, the location for the first season’s setting and where production has been since season five, is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. This means that working late on an episode translates to it still being the previous day in the U.S., providing the team with valuable extra hours during the early morning in America to perfect the new episode.

According to executive producer Claudine Parrish (in 2024), the islanders wake up to find that events taking place are being turned into scenes for the control room. They label these scenes based on what’s happening, like “Boys preparing breakfast for girls.” Amazingly, just 15 minutes later, the event has been edited and transformed into a scene by the editor.

As a devoted contributor, I realize that crafting a captivating tale isn’t solely my responsibility; it requires the collective effort of a supportive community. Just as it takes an entire village to raise a child, so does it take a collaborative team to weave a compelling story. Here, our team comprises approximately 30 editors, 20 producers, and a dedicated group who decide which moments and dialogues should be skillfully sewn together into a cohesive narrative.

At times, Parrish conceded, not everything intriguing leads somewhere significant. “Sometimes we miss the mark,” she acknowledged. “We’re constantly evaluating whether something is crucial or will be different tomorrow.

On this program, it’s clear that breakfast holds a significant role, being hailed as the key meal. The culinary team responsible for dishing out meals and coffee to the contestants on Love Island USA has turned this daily ritual into a subject captivating audiences worldwide.

But what does everyone eat for lunch and dinner, you ask?

In this program, while the food itself isn’t the primary emphasis (except perhaps for burned pancakes or that initial omelette), it is easily accessible when needed.

Dani Dyer, the winner of Love Island UK season four, shared with HELLO! in 2021 that there were no menus on set. Instead, it was self-catered, meaning contestants had to prepare their own meals. For breakfast, they typically cooked eggs, bacon, toast, and similar items.

In the eighth season, Luca Bish expressed his surprise about who was doing the cooking, stating on TikTok in July 2023 that it was a “mystery chef” working off-site, and the meals were brought to the villa.

Instead of enthusiastically endorsing the food, Bish often found himself saying that for both lunch and dinner, he typically consumed hummus and crisps.

Through the years, several participants have shared that they dine apart as males and females, with the exception of during dates.

Olivia Attwood, a contestant from Love Island UK season three, described the production process in 2022 as being like a boarding school to The Sun. She explained that when they have dinner, it’s similar to being told to clean their rooms, knowing laundry day is coming up, and planning breakfast for the next day – all tasks that help keep the house running efficiently.

And much like being on a jury, they’re not allowed to discuss the case among themselves.

2024 saw Samuel Agbiji express that the eighth season was intense since, during meal times, one yearns to discuss ongoing events, but such conversations interfere with filming.

One could think that overindulging in alcohol for flirtatious purposes might not be explicitly discouraged, but instead, contestants are restricted to having just one drink each evening, and the permitted drinks are only beer, wine, or sparkling beverages.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I, Phoebe Siegel, from the fourth season of Love Island USA, shared on my TikTok in June 2024 that when presented with the option between a glass of red or white wine at dinner, I wouldn’t call it a “generous pour.

During celebrations like those following a victory in the Casa Amor challenge, where it might seem there’s an open bar, Siegel mentioned that the drinks were actually quite diluted.

Iain Stirling juggles two roles, serving as the storyteller for not only Love Island UK but also Love Island USA. While shooting, he manages his time efficiently.

During the midday in U.K. (12 p.m.), as shared by the Scottish comedian with TODAY in 2024, he would sign in to Love Island UK. Since the show was almost over at that point, they would then spend two to three hours writing. By 4:30 or 4:45 pm, their workday was done. After taking care of their child’s dinner, bath time, and bedtime, they wished for a more glamorous rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle but that wasn’t the case. Post this routine, they would grab some food and sign in to Love Island USA at 8:30 pm, which was quite early considering it’s very late in Fiji time.

As a dedicated follower, I’m scrutinizing a preliminary version of our project from my home studio via Zoom, as Parrish, our executive producer, detailed to The Wrap. Together with the writers, we are simply jotting down amusing aspects in the scene or reminders of the storyline that have caught our attention. These observations are being recorded…right here at home, using my microphone.

The account he provides gets incorporated into the episode prior to its submission to Peacock’s legal and standards department, who occasionally make suggestions for last-minute adjustments.

Stirling mentioned to TODAY that we might wrap things up around 12 or 1 am. He’d then continue working till around 2:30 am – which means the U.S. show wouldn’t end for them yet. Ideally, he’d work until 5 or 6 in the morning, but that would mean he’d never sleep.

Evidence showing the long-lasting nature of the franchise: In 2020, Stirling got married to the previous host of Love Island UK, Laura Whitmore, and in March 2021, they became parents to a baby girl.

The music on Love Island USA, ranging from Janelle Monae’s “Make Me Feel” to The Daniel Pemberton TV Orchestra’s “From Fiji With Love” and various other pop tunes in between, creates a distinct and enjoyable atmosphere.

For the first time I laid eyes on “Love Island UK”, it felt like a quantum leap in reality storytelling for me. It was when I realized the power of integrating a popular song into a TV narrative that I became captivated. In an interview with Rolling Stone back in June 2025, Love Island USA’s executive producer, James Barker, echoed my thoughts: “This is where my mind instantly exclaimed, ‘Wow, this is fantastic! More shows should be like this, and I need to work on Love Island!’

Music clearance companies prepare and license songs, often from artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo, well in advance to guarantee that the necessary licenses have been obtained before they’re required for a specific scenario. This proactive approach allows for quick song selection on short notice when needed.

We’re constantly preparing a large number of songs, ranging from hundreds to thousands, as we can’t predict the storyline. So, we might think, “This song will be ideal for when someone eventually breaks up, or this one will perfectly suit a first kiss situation once it happens.

Interestingly, the inhabitants of the villa are unable to enjoy music, primarily due to the complications it might bring about regarding clearances, and secondly, because it may interfere with the clarity of conversations for the concealed recording equipment.

In specific situations like competitions, slow-motion dance events, or even when going out for a date in a taxi with music playing, there can be instances where songs are heard in real time rather than being exceptions.

To make sure the female cast members always look their best on camera, the production team offers makeup and skincare supplies within the house. They’re welcome to bring their own products as well, but any identifiable branding on their personal items will be concealed during post-production editing.

For more intricate grooming needs, there are specialists involved. Approximately every two or three weeks, we would get our nails, hair, and similar maintenance done, as Lucie Dolan, a contestant from the fifth season of Love Island UK, shared with Capital FM in 2021. Spending such extended periods within the show can lead to very long nights that may not be apparent to others, so it’s essential to have a day for relaxation and rejuvenation.

On their days off when there are no performances, the ex-host Whitmore mentioned to OK!, “they often have their eyelashes and artificial nails reapplied.

In the past, inhabitants needed to travel to other places, however, currently, the production of the show cannot allow contestants to be in the wilderness while filming.

According to Whitmore, it seems that in the initial season, they stepped out of the villa to get their hair styled at a salon. However, given the magnitude of the show now, they’re unable to do so. Instead, someone comes to them to touch up their roots.

Producers say they’re perfectly content to ride the waves of romance.

In an interview with The Wrap in 2024, Love Island USA’s executive producer Ben Thursby-Palmer explained that they adapt to the current situations within the villa as they unfold. If everyone is content in their relationships, there’s little reason for recoupling. Conversely, if the islanders are spending nights separately around the villa, it’s necessary to reorganize and reunite them.

In a YouTube video posted in April 2023, former contestant Samie Elishi from Love Island UK season nine stated that the show wasn’t entirely unscripted. However, he explained that while producers didn’t force conversations between couples or those involved in arguments, such interactions were essential for the show to exist. Producers did encourage certain discussions, but the content of these conversations was left entirely up to the participants.

The production equips the islanders with devices capable of making calls and sending messages, taking pictures, and providing announcements about forthcoming events, which are designed to be verbally broadcast.

In an interview with The Sun back in 2019, Liana Isadora Van Riel from Love Island UK’s second season shared that the phones provided to contestants are quite simple, primarily used for texting each other. However, she noted that they serve more as a tool for the ‘I’ve got a text’ drama rather than actual communication.

In another scenario, Love Island USA’s Siegel shared on TikTok that “You aren’t allowed to search online, watch television, use social media, or message anyone outside the show.

Following in the footsteps of peacekeepers on reality TV shows, the host of Love Island USA, Ariana Madix, must feign indifference towards the events happening under her supervision.

She shared with The Wrap in 2024 that it can be challenging because there are moments when she feels the urge to join in, but as a moderator, I need to maintain some neutrality, especially in their presence.

Meanwhile, during season six, she voiced her opinion when Andrea Carmona was eliminated, and Rob Rausch momentarily expressed his desire to depart alongside her. However, Madix diplomatically suggested he rethink his decision, which ultimately led him to remain in the show.

In Madix’s words, “I believe it’s not wise to make significant decisions during intense emotional periods.” Additionally, “there was a part of me that wanted to test his intentions since I genuinely didn’t think he intended to depart.

Madix, living at a hotel overlooking the villa during filming, pointed out that no cameramen were visible to the islanders. While cameras were positioned all around the villa, including movable ones hidden behind walls with sliders, the islanders remained unaware of the presence of these cameramen. The only areas not under surveillance, aside from the obvious like bathrooms, were not truly private, so even seemingly secret conversations were never really confidential.

A secluded area without cameras, such as the kitchen pantry, where snacks are stored, as mentioned by Elishi on Love Island UK. She revealed in her April 2023 video that only one person is permitted inside at a time due to past incidents involving a couple within the pantry.

A number of participants on Love Island UK have mentioned that branded condoms for the show are located around the villa and can be refilled whenever needed.

Before the explosive events might change the situation significantly, they can first catch up on what has happened so far by watching the show in advance.

Chloe Burrows, a surprise addition to “Love Island UK”, shared during her April 2023 podcast episode titled Chloe vs. The World, that she only watches each episode after she has already joined the show, and then expresses her top three preferred islanders among those already present.

While the cameras never stop filming, the contestants do get one day off a week to just hang out.

This implies that the same guidelines as meal times hold true: avoid discussing sensitive matters or engaging in arguments, saving them for another day. Additionally, during their days off, male and female individuals cannot sleep together in the same bed due to a lack of assigned dates.

In 2017, Kem Cetinay, a contestant from Love Island UK’s third season, explained to Britain’s This Morning that while off-camera, they are not permitted to discuss anything related to the show. He added that they can still converse, but they must be mindful of what they talk about as producers want to record everything for viewers at home. Essentially, it’s a break from the intense games, dates, and relationship decisions that typically unfold on the show.

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2025-06-28 19:17