Love Island season seven star, 28, Abigail Rawlings, coupled up with Toby Aromolaran before Casa Amor, opens up about how her life has changed since appearing on the show in 2021 and her thoughts on this year's crop of Islanders...
‘The Casa Amor recoupling was brutal – I’m rooting for Gemma & Luca’
I think we’re all still reeling after the explosion that was Casa Amor last week – that’s got to be one of the most dramatic ones ever.
The boys’ behaviour really was astounding. The whole thing honestly made my blood boil – especially hearing Jacques say he needed to kiss other girls to test his relationship with Paige. Usually by Casa Amor, there are some stronger couples. I think because the public voted who'd couple up on the first day, it’s all been a bit more changey this year.
That recoupling at Casa was brutal. It was me last year, waiting for my then-partner Toby Aromolaran, but he came back with Mary Bedford. It wasn’t ideal, but it did show me that I shouldn’t be wasting my time with someone not into me. Hopefully the girls can see that too.
The only couple I really respect are Gemma Owen and Luca Bish – I think they could win it now, if all goes smoothly. I liked Andrew and Tasha, but I think they worried too much about what the public thought and it all went down hill. I feel for Andrew – I think he tried to make out he was OK by being all confident with the Casa Amor girls, but really he’s sensitive and was hurting. I think the fact he shed some tears on the show is actually quite powerful and will remind blokes watching that it’s OK for boys to cry, so good on him in that sense. I hope he finds love – whether that’s working it out with Tasha or with a new girl.
‘I’ve gone back to my day job’
I loved my time on Love Island, and it brought me so many opportunities, but since leaving the villa, I’ve actually returned to my day job as a tattoo artist. Tattooing was my passion and I really missed it when I stopped. There’s no amount of money you can earn that is more important than doing something you love.
I have no regrets about appearing on the show because of what I learned about myself, and about love. I’m now in a relationship with a man I was with before I went on the show. I dated David before I went in the villa, but he wouldn’t commit. When I came out, he realised what he was missing and we made it official. We’re now living together and stronger than ever.
Weirdly, I think being on Love Island also gave me more confidence in my natural appearance. I spent so long make-up free in the villa and came out to positive comments from viewers about my appearance. That was a lovely boost and now I don’t wear as much make-up.