Former Love Island star Lana Jenkins is clearing the air about her time on the popular reality show—and it wasn’t all about sunshine and love. The runner-up from Season 9 recently opened up in an Instagram Q&A, revealing that her experience in the villa was pretty tough and labeled it “hard work”—a surprising insight for fans who thought the show was simply lounging by the pool and flirting.
“How hard work it was,” Lana shared, along with some laughing emojis, before going into detail about her unexpected challenges.
While viewers usually get to see the glamorous side of Love Island, Lana’s honest perspective highlights the emotional and mental strain of being under constant filming, dealing with drama, and managing relationships all while being watched by the public. But here’s the kicker: she didn’t join the show for love.
The Real Reason Lana Signed Up for Love Island
In the same Q&A, Lana made a cheeky admission:
“I was just after a free holiday and a cheeky flirt.”
Her straightforwardness is a stark contrast to the usual Love Island storyline, where contestants often claim they’re there to find “the one.”
This reflects a growing trend among reality stars who acknowledge that brand deals, influencer fame, and career opportunities—not just romance—are big motivators for participating. Lana’s post-villa success as a makeup artist and ambassador for Rimmel London shows that the show can serve as a lucrative stepping stone, even if the romance doesn’t endure.
Still, she didn’t come away empty-handed from the show. She developed a meaningful connection with Ron Hall, and even though their relationship ended three months after the finale due to the challenges of long-distance and busy lifestyles, they parted on good terms.
Lana’s frankness stirred mixed responses online. Some fans appreciated her honesty, while others questioned if her comments undermined the show’s premise.
One fan tweeted:
“Respect to Lana for keeping it real. Not everyone’s there for love, and that’s okay!”
Another replied:
“Then why take a spot from someone who actually wanted to find a partner?”
Meanwhile, Ron’s recent appearance on Love Island: All Stars (where he struggled to connect and left early) sparked more discussions about their breakup. Lana subtly acknowledged his exit with an Instagram post captioned “The Bar,” leading fans to wonder whether it was a dig at Ron or a hint at her own high standards.
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