With literally hundreds of thousands of people applying for Love Island every year, landing a spot on TV's most popular show is no mean feat. Last year, viewers became frustrated by the social media-savvy roster of islanders - including Tyson Fury's brother, Tommy, Instagram star, Molly-Mae, and sports star, Ovie.
However, after spending a week in Cape Town with the islanders, producers and team at the villa, I can attest that this year's crop of islanders are the most 'normal' yet. Most of them actually applied to the show (rather than being scouted), have no claims to fame and have had just a few hundred Instagram followers. The same can't exactly be said for Paige Turley, a 22-year-old singer from West Lothian.
Paige has already appeared on the small screen - landing a spot in the final on Britain's Got Talent when she was in her teens - and also counts Lewis Capaldi as her ex.
Paige is, however, about as down-to-earth as you can get. GLAMOUR met Paige in Cape Town before she entered the villa and here's what she had to say about her famous ex, lazy beauty regime and mental health...
How appearing on Britain's Got Talent hasn't prepared her for Love Island
"Because I was so young at the time it feels like it wasn’t me because I‘ve grown up so much since then. It was amazing. It was such a good experience but I was young and naive at the time."
On her ex, Lewis Capaldi
"I didn't tell him I was going in as it was top secret, so I only told my family. Lewis is quite funny so I think he will definitely make a joke of it. He might even vote for me! I would love to be a fly on the wall, not just for Lewis, but to see all my friends' reactions, like 'what the hell is she doing on my television?'.
Obviously he’s travelling a lot of the time so we never really get to see each other. He never really gets to see a lot of his friends; time differences and stuff, but we see each other when we can.
I'm not at all surprised by his level of fame. Even through college before we got together and even when we did get together, I always kept saying to him “It’s a matter of time.” Everyone that’s seen Lewis perform or heard his music, knows it was just a case of when. I can always remember in college when we had any songwriting units, doesn’t matter what the subject was about, give Lewis half an hour and he would come out with an amazing song. He’s such a talented writer. He’s good, it was kind of expected."
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
On being prepared for trolling and keeping her mental health in check
"Of course I am prepared for the trolling but going into this you’ve always got to expect that not everyone’s going to like you. You can’t really have any expectations from this because you don’t know what’s going to come off the back of it. I might be the nation’s most hated woman after it, so I never have too many expectations. I do a lot of yoga to keep my mental health in check; it's very zen. I mean that’ll be a right laugh on the telly, seeing me sweating under the sun, trying to hold a pose."
On her 'lazy girl' beauty regime
"I’ve had my nails done, but I’m such a lazy girl. My chaperone was like 'do you want to go to the gym, do you want to eat salad? And I was like no.' No, I haven’t done a great deal before. When I get in there I’ll be like ‘Oh my God, why did I have those three burgers?’"
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Hooked on the show? Check out all of this year's islanders and the villa itself, get acquainted with their catchphrases, snap up your water bottle and read what the boys had to say about gaslighting and mental health.
