How Love Island’s Taylor & Clarke Plan to Make Long-Distance Work

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Taylor Williams and Clarke Carraway are standing on business.

Following their exit from the Love Island USA villa during the July 8 broadcast, the couple, who had just severed their bond right before being eliminated, are determined to maintain their relationship, despite living a thousand miles away from each other.

According to Taylor (age 25), they have discussed finding a solution to their situation. They have previously communicated about Taylor traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina, and the other person visiting Oklahoma. Therefore, they are determined to find a way to make things work between them.

Additionally, even though Clarke, aged 24, is recognized for always packing excessively, she’s ready to travel light when she goes to Taylor’s farm.

She requested, “Please make sure my cowgirl accessories are at hand. I likely won’t end up using more than a handful of items from my wardrobe.

Despite their stay at the villa being unexpectedly brief, Taylor underscored that he eventually discovered what he had aimed for – an authentic bond.

He described his departure as a mix of joy and sadness. Leaving hand in hand with his partner, the first pair to do so, brought a sense of pain, yet not an unbearable one.

Clarke also highlighted the meaningful relationships she built with her fellow Islanders.

She acknowledged that not everyone becomes instantly comfortable around others, but in the end, she managed to forge friendships with every girl and even a few boys.

In truth, the bombshell from Casa Amor expressed immense gratitude towards her connection with beloved fan figure, Amaya “Papaya” Espinal.

She confided that we grew extremely close,” she said. “The same applies to Iris, or as you might know her, Kendall. From the very beginning, she was incredibly kind to me.

She even counts Olandria Carthen—who Taylor originally coupled up with—as a confidant.

She mentioned that she likes me quite a bit, and if it suits her, I’d be thrilled to be friends with her beyond the villa.

Don’t miss out on season seven of “Love Island USA” streaming on Peacock! The grand finale is airing on July 13, so make sure to watch up to speed before that date. Also, read further for all the essential details about this popular franchise.

At the end of each day, there’s more than enough video footage from the 85 concealed cameras to edit down into a one-hour program.

They work swiftly, as editors transform footage captured on Monday into the episode aired the next day, and this pattern continues.

Fortunately, Fiji – the location for the first season and where the show has been since season five – is 16 hours ahead of the East Coast. This means that a late-night finish in Fiji translates to the previous day’s morning on the U.S. East Coast, providing the team with valuable additional hours to perfect the new episode.

In an interview with The Wrap in 2024, executive producer Claudine Parrish explained that the islanders would start their day, and scenes for the control room to work on would be based on real events. These scenes might be titled something like ‘Boys preparing breakfast for the girls.’ Within 15 minutes of the event occurring, it would be incorporated into the edits, with the editor quickly transforming it into a finished scene.

It takes a community effort: Parrish explained that they have approximately 30 editors and 20 producers, along with a story team who decide on the key moments and dialogues to blend together to create a bigger storyline.

At times, Parrish conceded, not everything that appears intriguing leads somewhere significant. “We don’t always hit the mark,” she acknowledged. “We’re constantly evaluating whether something is crucial or if it will lose its relevance by the next day.

On this program, it’s clear that breakfast plays a crucial role, often garnering global attention since the gentlemen are responsible for cooking meals and brewing coffee for the ladies on Love Island USA.

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

In this program, while the food itself may not be the main emphasis (except for burnt pancakes or your initial attempt at an omelette), it’s always there to be enjoyed when needed.

Dani Dyer, winner of Love Island UK season four, shared with HELLO! in 2021 that there were no menus on the show. Instead, it’s self-catering, which means contestants prepare their own meals. For breakfast, they typically have options like eggs, bacon, and toast.

In season eight, Luca Bish expressed surprise over who was responsible for the cooking, stating on a TikTok post from July 2023 that it seemed to be a secret chef working off-site, and the meals were transported to the villa.

Instead of enjoying the food, Bish often found himself saying that for both lunch and dinner, he was eating hummus and chips.

Throughout various competitions, it’s been disclosed that males and females usually dine apart, with the exception of during dates.

Olivia Attwood from Love Island UK season three explained to The Sun in 2022 that the experience feels similar to eating with producers, who manage everything like a boarding school. During dinners, it’s as if they are instructing us about tasks such as cleaning our rooms, scheduling laundry days, and asking what we want for breakfast tomorrow, all to keep things running smoothly in the house.

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

Samuel Agbiji, a season eight contestant, expressed in an interview with Closer in 2024 that it was challenging, as when you’re eating, you’d naturally want to discuss ongoing events, but you couldn’t due to the filming requirements.

As a committed participant, I may have initially thought that indulging in excessive alcohol for flirtatious purposes could be acceptable, even if not explicitly endorsed. However, the rules strictly limit us to consuming just one drink each night, with our options being limited to beer, wine, or champagne.

In response to being offered a choice between a glass of red or white wine during dinner, Phoebe Siegel from Love Island USA’s fourth season stated on TikTok in June 2024 that it was “a small serving.

During a celebration like a Casa Amor challenge victory party, where it seems like an open bar is available, Siegel mentioned that the drinks were actually quite diluted or weakened.

As your trusted guide in the realm of modern romance, I find myself juggling two captivating worlds: the enchanting landscapes of Love Island UK and Love Island USA. During production, time management becomes an art form, ensuring I don’t miss a beat in either island paradise.

Around midday U.K. time, as the Scottish comedian shared with TODAY in 2024, he’d tune into Love Island UK. At this stage of the show, it was nearing its end. Afterward, we’d write for a couple of hours, wrapping up around 4 or 4:30 pm. Then I’d take care of my child’s dinner, bath time, and bedtime – I wish it were more rock ‘n’ roll, but that was my routine. Following that, I’d grab some food, and later at 8:30 pm, I would catch Love Island USA, which is quite early in Fiji.

From the comfort of my home, I tune into a rough cut via Zoom, as Parrish, our executive producer, shared with The Wrap. In this setting, I, along with the writers, are merely taking note of amusing elements in the scene or subtle reminders of the narrative’s progression that we capture using my microphone at home.

The account he gives is incorporated into the episode prior to its submission to Peacock’s legal and standards department, where adjustments might occasionally be suggested at the last minute.

Stirling mentioned to TODAY that we might wrap up around midnight or 1 am. If things go ideally, he’d keep working until about 2:30 – though that would be quite late for a U.S. broadcast. In an ideal scenario, he’d work until 5 or 6 am, but that would mean no sleep for him.

Evidence indicating an enduring relationship within the franchise: In 2020, Stirling tied the knot with ex-host of Love Island UK, Laura Whitmore, and in March 2021, they became parents to a baby girl.

In my opinion as a lifestyle expert, the music on Love Island USA sets a unique mood – from the first notes of Janelle Monae’s “Make Me Feel” to the official theme song, “From Fiji With Love” by The Daniel Pemberton TV Orchestra, and every catchy pop tune in between. It truly creates an unforgettable atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re right there on the island!

In a June 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, Love Island USA executive producer James Barker expressed his fascination upon watching Love Island UK for the first time. He was struck by the way personal connections to popular songs enhance the narrative of a television show, stating, “It’s like a level up in reality and storytelling.” Inspired by this unique approach, he immediately thought, “Wow, more shows should be like this!” and contemplated on how he could contribute to Love Island.

Instead of choosing songs on the spot for different scenarios, a music clearance company prepares months in advance to secure licenses for tracks by artists such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo well before they are required.

We constantly prepare a large number of songs, ranging from hundreds to thousands, as we can’t predict the direction the story will take. So, we might think, ‘This track would be ideal for someone when they eventually break up,’ or ‘This one could be perfect for that first kiss moment when it happens.’

Interestingly enough, the residents on the island aren’t allowed to play music in their villa. This is due to complications with copyright clearances, but there’s another reason as well – background music might interfere with the recording quality of hidden cameras and microphones, making conversations less clear.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I must admit that there are instances where the rules of music appreciation can bend slightly. For instance, during exhilarating challenges, a captivating slow-motion dance-off, or even when hailing a cab for a romantic rendezvous and finding the driver’s choice of tunes suits the mood. In such cases, the music heard in real time transcends the ordinary listening experience.

To make sure that the women always look their best on camera, the production offers makeup and skincare products in the house. They are free to bring their own as well, but any recognizable brand names on their personal items will be concealed during post-production.

In more complex grooming matters, there are experts to help out. For instance, every couple of weeks, Lucie Dolan, a contestant from Love Island UK season five, mentioned to Capital FM in 2021 that they would get their nails and hair done. With the long nights inside, it’s essential to have some downtime for relaxation as it may not always be apparent how long those nights are.

On their days off from hosting, when there’s no show scheduled, former host Whitmore shared with OK!, “they often visit a salon to have their eyelashes and acrylic nails re-done.

In earlier times, inhabitants needed to travel elsewhere, however, currently, the production of the show is unable to have participants out in the natural environment 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, due to the scale 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 executive producer Ben Thursby-Palmer stated that the show follows real-time events within the villa. If the contestants are content in their couples, there’s no necessity for recoupling. However, if everyone is sleeping separately across the villa, it’s necessary to shake things up and rearrange the pairs.

In a YouTube video posted in April 2023, Samie Elishi , a former contestant on season nine of Love Island UK , stated that the show wasn’t scripted entirely. However, he added that producers would prompt them to engage with specific couples or individuals they were having conflicts with, and this interaction was essential for the show to continue. He clarified that while they were encouraged to have certain conversations, the content of those discussions was solely their decision.

Communication devices (phones) are provided to the inhabitants of the island, which they can use for calling, messaging, taking pictures, and receiving notifications about future events that need to be announced audibly.

As a former contestant on Love Island UK’s second season, Liana Isadora Van Riel shared with The Sun in 2019 that the phones provided to the participants are quite simple, mainly used for texting each other. However, she noted that their primary purpose is more for the ‘I’ve got a text’ drama rather than actual communication.

In a TikTok post, Love Island USA’s Siegel stated that during filming, contestants cannot search online, watch television, use their social media accounts, or communicate with anyone outside the show.

Just like many hosts of reality competition shows maintain their neutrality, Ariana Madix, the host of Love Island USA, has to feign indifference towards the events that transpire under her supervision.

In her conversation with The Wrap in 2024, she expressed that it can be challenging because there are moments when she feels drawn to participate, but as a host, she needs to maintain a certain level of neutrality, especially in their presence.

In the same turn of events, I too chimed in when Andrea Carmona was eliminated during season six, and Rob Rausch expressed his intention to depart along with her. However, I kindly encouraged him to think it over again, and fortunately, he chose to remain.

Madix pointed out, “It seems unwise to make such a significant decision during an emotional state.” Additionally, there was a part of her that felt tempted to test his intentions, as she wasn’t convinced he truly intended to depart.

Madix pointed out that no cameramen were visible to the islanders. Although cameras were placed all over the villa, and there were movable cameramen hidden behind walls with sliders, the islanders typically didn’t notice them. The only areas of the house that weren’t under surveillance were the obvious ones like bathrooms, but even seemingly private conversations in corners weren’t truly secret due to the extensive camera coverage.

In another secluded area, as per Love Island UK’s Elishi, is the kitchen pantry where the snacks are kept. She mentioned in her April 2023 video that only one person is permitted inside at any given time due to past events involving a couple that took place within the pantry.

A number of contestants on Love Island UK have mentioned that branded condoms for the show are available throughout the villa and can be restocked whenever needed.

Before the situations that could significantly change things happen, they are permitted to catch up on what has transpired by watching the series to get a grasp of the events unfolded so far.

On her podcast “Chloe vs. The World,” Chloe Burrows, the surprise contestant on Love Island UK, mentioned during an April 2023 broadcast that she only watches episodes of the show after she’s already entered the villa, and then shares her top three favorite islanders from among those already there.

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

This indicates that the same regulation holds during mealtimes, which includes abstaining from gossip and postponing disagreements until the following day. Moreover, because they don’t have specific days set aside for dating, males and females are prohibited from sharing a bed on their off-days.

Kem Cetinay from the third season of Love Island UK explained in 2017 to Britain’s This Morning that during breaks when microphones are removed, conversations about anything related to the show aren’t allowed. He added that while they can casually chat, producers are cautious about what is discussed as they aim to capture everything for viewers at home and ensure everyone gets a glimpse of the less intense moments, such as a break from all the competitive games, dates, and decisions about who they like or dislike.

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2025-07-11 22:50