Love Island All Stars is set to return tomorrow with a bang for its second season, featuring familiar faces seeking love once again under the South African sun.
Despite the reality show promising some of the biggest names from ITV’s dating show history, fans may be surprised at the relatively small earnings the cast will receive compared to their usual rates.
Love Island veterans know that fame from the series can lead to substantial earnings, with stars like Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury reportedly worth tens of millions after using the show to propel them into the public spotlight, the Mirror reports.
However, appearing on the show itself isn’t a quick cash grab, as returning villa stars are said to earn significantly less than they could potentially make from a single influential social media post.
Reports suggest that all cast members receive the same flat fee, regardless of popularity or social media following. Rumoured participant and former winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, along with confirmed fan favourites Luca Bish and Marcel Somerville, won’t be making a fortune – even if they survive the full four weeks of the show.
A source revealed to The Sun: “The All Stars cast all earn £2,000 a week to appear on the series, so if they stay in for the whole run, they’ll bank just over £8K. Obviously it’s more than they’d earn doing a regular job, but as far as reality TV salaries go, it’s not that huge.
“They could earn a lot more on other shows like Strictly or Celebrity Masterchef, and it’s certainly not as lucrative as the club PAs or the money they rake in from Instagram ads. The reason they sign up, however, is nothing to do with the money – it’s great exposure which allows them to cash in when they leave the villa.”
Love Island viewers have expressed their dismay at the contestants’ decision to return to the show in pursuit of love or fame once again.
One viewer commented on X: “Something very tragic about the love island all stars concept. Just a bunch of z list people desperately clawing at fame.”
Another echoed the sentiment, saying: “What’s the point in all stars? These people will all already know each other from love island things, it’s just a cling for some more fame. I will be watching tho ofc.”
Fans were particularly taken aback by reports suggesting Ekin-Su is set to make a comeback to the show, especially since she emerged victorious in the 2022 series.
Her participation in ITV’s rebooted Celebrity Big Brother last year, where she was seen having tearful outbursts over being typecast as only famous for Love Island, despite no fellow housemates making such remarks, has added to the surprise.
Her stint on the renowned reality show set in a house seemingly took a toll on her popularity, with public sentiment shifting against her. Now, fans have been poking fun at rumours of her participation in Love Island: All Stars.
A social media user commented: “Ekin Su returning to love island after ruining her career on big brother trying to make out she was more than love island is HILARIOUS #loveislandallstars.”
While her appearance has not been officially confirmed, an insider disclosed to the Daily Mail: “The deal is agreed in principle, there’s still some details to sort out, but there’s huge hope she’s finally agreed to take a second chance at finding long-lasting love in front of the nation.”
Love Island: All Stars is set to air on ITV2 and ITVX on Monday 13 January 2025 at 9pm.
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