Love Island star Malin Andersson reveals brutal experience leaving show

Star of Love Island 2016, Malin Andersson, has hit out at the show following her brutal return to reality after exiting the smash-hit ITV2 show.

Malin was good friends with fellow star Sophie Gradon, who has tragically died aged just 32. Her cause of death is currently unconfirmed, however police are not treating it as suspicious.

Now, Malin is calling on the show to give more mental health support to contestants to help them adjust to their new-found fame, along with the torrent of social media abuse they can experience after exiting the villa.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy Malin warned of an ominous 'Love Island comedown' for contestants past and present, and argues that they can struggle to adjust to their new lives in the spotlight – as well as dealing with the fame fading away.

She said: "We [Sophie and Malin] both battled it a little bit together, we both understood each other when it came to that.

"We were going through the similar thing, we both thought the same things. I'd call us empaths, quite emotional, we'd take things to heart. So the trolling and stuff, I've got more used to it now, but with Sophie I think it would always play in the back of her head."

While Malin was realistic that people do volunteer themselves for the show, she felt that Love Island still needs to take responsibility for looking after its contestants.

She continued: "I don't blame the show itself, because we asked to go on it, but I think the care received wasn't enough. If someone is crying for help, like Sophie kind of did, and asked for help after it, with a psychiatrist or whatever. I think that they should have noted that and realised."

Revealing her brutal experience upon exiting the show, Malin explained that contestants are isolated for a day without contact with the outside world before being shoved back into reality.

"We have psych tests before the show, to see if we're fit to be in the villa, but afterwards, we need more support coming out," Malin explained.

"I got evicted, I go to some random room on my own. They go, 'Hey, the psychiatrist is here', but I don't really want to talk to anyone now, because I've just been booted out.

"[It's a] bit of a shock to the system. They put you in hiding for a day, no phone, in a hotel on your own, until you get your phone back – which you haven't had for six weeks – until the new show airs. And then you go to Palma airport, on your own, and then boom, you're in reality."

Malin recalled that suddenly getting her phone back granted her access to loads of messages and thousands of new followers, but with that comes: "Loads of opinions. Loads of trolls. Lots of nice things also, but your life has changed."

While many people deride the show for gifting its bevy of beautiful contestants with cash from a host of teeth-whitening promotions and nightclub appearances, Malin said it's hard not to compete with the other Islanders, even after the show has finished.

"A few months go, to a year, and you're kind of chasing this dream that you've got. Work's dying down a bit, you're struggling a little bit, and you're trying to maintain and comparing yourself to other Islanders, in terms of work aspects," she added.

As for this year's contestants, Malin felt their only goal is for fame and fortune, rather than the "love" lauded in the show's title. She also warned that the sobering effect of the Love Island comedown might only get worse.

"It's like they're thinking 'let's have an Instagram deal, get a blue tick'... and they're probably going to fall into the same spiral. It's going to actually get worse as years come on – the aftermath of it all."

Digital Spy contacted ITV2 about Malin's comments and they have declined to comment, however insiders were keen to point out that the show does offer psychological care to contestants.

Tom Powell, who was coupled up with Sophie Gradon during her time on the show, felt the show does do enough for contestants, telling The Sun Online:

"The show was crazy. But they took care of us. Anyone who says otherwise is talking bullshit. This morning Love Island called me and said I could call the psychologist who works for the show.

"He was one of the first person to speak to us. After you leave the show you speak to the psychologist and you were always checking in with her.

"We had a lot of care after the show. They took great care of us."

News of Sophie's death was revealed by her boyfriend Aaron Armstrong, who wrote on Facebook: "I will never forget that smile I love you so so much baby your my world forever ever and always."

The programme aired a tribute to Sophie ahead of Thursday night's show (June 21), alongside issuing a statement sharing their condolences.

The statement read: "The whole ITV2 and Love Island team are profoundly saddened to hear the news about Sophie, and our deepest sympathies and thoughts go to her family and friends."

Many of Sophie Gradon's fellow friends and contestants have shared their condolences, as well as echoing Malin's calls for more mental health awareness and support.

The current roster of Islanders have also been informed of Sophie's death off-camera, including Ellie Brown, who is thought to have been a friend of the tragic star.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.

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