She was one of the original cast on this year’s Love Island, dividing viewers with her feisty, no-nonsense and fiercely loyal persona.
But while Anna Vakili doesn’t regret any of her actions while in the villa, she admits the effects of appearing in one of the nation’s most-watched reality shows aren’t always positive, and she has days where she wishes she wasn’t famous.
Check out: applying for Love Island 2020? These former Islanders have given tips on joining the show
Tips for new Love Island contestants slider
1 of 6Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes managed to make it to the final in 2017 and has given simple advice for new contestants: "Go in and be open to finding love."
2 of 6Sam Bird
You want to know what Sam Bird suggest for Love Island?"If you get on to Love Island be honest and don't hold back. Don't be afraid to show your feelings because you haven't got long. "If you like someone just go for it and if it doesn't work out at least you tried because you haven't got long."
3 of 6Kendall Rae Knight
She may have been the first contestant voted out in 2018 but Kendall Rae Knight has still given some good advice to any Love Island wannabe."Be yourself because that's what I did. I was just normal, I hadn't done anything like that before in my life, just be yourself."
4 of 6Samira Mighty
Samira has said to expect nothing and have a laugh while you're in there."Have a lot of personality because you're not going to get anywhere with no personality."Also go in expecting the unexpected. Don't expect much. Don't go in and be like 'I'm going to win' because you just need to have fun."It's serious in there but have fun and when you go to the interview just be fun. Be yourself."
5 of 6Alexandra Cane
Alexandra has actually hinted about the Love Island audition process and given a few tips to win over the producers."If you're going to do a show reel for the show make it really fun, eye-catching."Do it in a day in the life of you, so they can see every aspect of you. From the minute you wake up to the minute you go to sleep and a typical night out. "So they're seeing all sides of your personality. I think it's a great way to get their attention."
6 of 6Camilla Thurlow
Camilla Thurlow may not have won Love Island back in 2017 but she's one of the only contestants who is still in a relationship following her time on the show.The nation sweetheart has advised everyone who applies for Love Island to not put on an act. She said: "Just be yourself because if you're going to spend eight weeks on camera in Love Island everyone will see you exactly how you are."There's no way that you can put on an act for that amount of time so just be yourself."
Anna, 29, says, "Coming out of the villa doesn’t just give you this amazing life. Fame is sometimes tough. For me, people had an opinion of me as this hot-headed girl.
"I was judged by people who don’t know me and I was trolled. People criticised how I look, but that doesn’t bother me that much – it’s when they talk about my personality that I get more upset."
She continued, "I sometimes think I’m a bit too real for this industry. I don’t know. I try to be me, but I worry whether I say the right or wrong thing, and I get scared people will jump down my throat.
"If anyone thinks, 'God, I wish I had that Love Island influencer life', don’t ever wish for this life, because you don’t know what really goes on."
She dominated the drama when she was involved in one of the series’ most nail-biting moments, when she confronted then-boyfriend Jordan Hames for making a move on India Reynolds. And now Anna hopes she’s inspired other women to stand up for themselves, too.
She says, "That moment was crazy. I was shaking, I was so hurt and so upset. My reaction was completely natural and instinctive – I was not going to sit back and let him get away with it. In the past, on reality TV, girls have sometimes just sat there and let the guy crack on.
"After I came out, I got messages from women and girls who said they would now do the same if a guy screwed them over. No one should take s--t! That’s the upside of fame – being able to help other people. If I did that, I’m happy."
WATCH: Love Island's Anna Vakili supports Amber Gill after split | TV Choice Awards 2019
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After romances with Jordan and Ovie Soko, Anna left the show single, but says she hasn’t given up hope on finding The One.
She says, "I’m nearly 30 now and I feel that, with age, you get more fussy. One of my main things is that I don’t want a dishonest man. And I feel sometimes it’s very difficult to tell if someone is being honest or not.
"I also just want someone who’s funny, and who’s got that spark. Ovie was so good-looking, but you need the banter, you know. But I’m just focusing on myself at the moment – we’ll see what the future brings."
Anna has launched The Power Edit, a new collection with In The Style____.