Montana Brown has admitted that she was ‘crippled’ by anxiety following her stint in the Love Island villa.
The reality star, 25, who appeared on the ITV2 series in 2017, detailed how contestants ‘struggled to adjust to reality’ after the show, and was even too scared to leave the house alone.
Montana added that she would ‘never blame’ Love Island bosses for many of its stars’ struggles with mental health, but did say that the rise to fame ‘proved difficult.’
Challenging: Montana Brown has admitted that she was ‘crippled’ by anxiety following her stint in the Love Island villa
Speaking to new! magazine, Montana discussed her own battles with anxiety for Mental Health Awareness Week after her own appearance in the Love Island villa.
She said: ‘No one can say they didn;t know what they are getting themselves into because we’ve seen it happen to so many people.
‘It’s no secret that people coming off that show struggle to adjust to reality. I had such bad anxiety and paranoia. I felt crippled by it. I didn’t ever go anywhere alone.’
Open: The reality star, 25, who appeared on the ITV2 series in 2017 (pictured), detailed how contestants ‘struggled to adjust to reality’ after the show
She said that she can understand why some stars of the show can find the pressure of being in the spotlight difficult, after her co-star and close friend Mike Thalassitis tragically took his own life in March 2019.
‘I would never blame Love Island for these things. But what’s difficult is the change in lifestyle. It’s the change in income, friendship groups and expectations. You go from a nine-to-five job, to not having a rigid schedule,’ Montana added.
The star also revealed she’s been having therapy and counselling, and has begun training as a crisis practitioner for the mental health charity SHOUT.
During the interview Montana also discussed her blossoming romance with boyfriend Mark O’Connor, admitting that she wasn’t planning on dating again following her split Elliott Reeder, but connected with the rugby plater in lockdown.
Last week Montana discussed her own secret battle with depression after Mike’s tragic death, admitting she was plagued with thoughts of whether she could have ‘saved him.’
Difficult: Last week Montana discussed her own secret battle with depression after her co-star and friend Mike Thalassitis’ tragic death
She told The Sun: ‘Losing Mike was the trigger. I used to wake up and feel like my heart was aching because I was so unbelievably sad.
‘Losing someone to suicide is up there with one of the worst ways to lose somebody because you are always left with the feeling you could have saved them in some way.
‘I felt so guilty. He had messaged me a couple of days before and I hadn’t responded, thinking I’d ring him at the weekend. I kept thinking “what if I could have saved him?”‘
Montana added she ‘ostracised’ herself from family and friends while struggling with her depression, and had little motivation to go outside or even eat.
Mike was found hanged in a park in March 2019 – after friends revealed he had been ‘in a dark place’ in the months leading up to his death.
It was reported earlier this year that Love Island bosses ramped up psychological testing in the search to find the next batch of singletons, after the tragic deaths of Mike, Sophie Gradon and host Caroline Flack.
Sophie took her own life aged 32 back in June 2018 after appearing on season two of the show two years prior. Her heartbroken boyfriend Aaron Armstrong took his own life just 20 days later aged 25.
RIP: Mike tragically took his own life at the age of 26 on 15 March 2019 (pictured in 2018) after friends revealed he had been ‘in a dark place’ in the months leading up to his death
In December 2019, Caroline left her role presenting the show in the wake of her arrest over an alleged assault on her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
The presenter was found dead at her home in Stoke Newington, London, on February 15, 2020, aged 40. She too had taken her own life.
The Sun claimed once past the audition stage, potential islanders will undergo three rounds of testing to ensure they will be able to cope with starring on the ITV2 show and the subsequent fame afterwards.
The publication also stated stringent measures now require the cast to provide their doctors’ details and list and medications they are taking.
The insider added that singletons will be closely monitored with support provided to those anyone who needs it.
For confidential support or advice call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free or visit www.samaritans.org.
Upset: Montana reflected, ‘Losing someone to suicide is up there with one of the worst ways to lose somebody because you are always left with the feeling you could have saved them’