The Rules You Didn't Know Love Island Contestants Must Abide By
Love Island may seem like a pleasure center of hedonistic enjoyment for wannabe couples and serial daters, but a few rules still apply. From alcohol consumption limits to zero social media to basically no phones, here are some of the guidelines Love Islanders must follow as contestants on the show.
Draining a bit of fun from the shenanigans is the limited alcohol consumption rule and a very strict no drugs policy, reports Men's Health. Contestants can drink, but not to the point of getting drunk, while drug tests are required before appearing on the show and random drug tests could happen throughout taping if producers deem it necessary.
Liana Isadora Van-Riel, who was a contestant on the show in 2016, told The Sun of the alcohol rules, "You're allowed one or two drinks a night, either wine or beer, no spirits." Executive producer David Eilenberg told USA Today that drinks were limited in order to keep the show coherent. "We like the Islanders to have a good time, but because the show is geared toward actual coherent conversation and connection it's not a show that allows excessive acts of alcohol consumption." Moreover, The Sun also reported Islanders can't smoke cigarettes inside the villa after a wave of complaints rolled in from the 2017 season. Smokers must exit the house and go to a designated smoking area.
Love Islanders have to be careful the romance doesn't go too far
Although Love Island definitely encourages some delightfully risqué behavior and a whole lot of canoodling between the contestants, some prudence is required as it relates to hooking up. Contestants are encouraged to get frisky with each other, but not go too far, The Mirror reports. Islanders cannot be completely nude in front of each other — even in the bathroom — and aren't allowed to hook up with anyone who is noticeably drunk.
Moreover, in terms of that risqué behavior that fans enjoy watching, apparently the U.S. version of the program may be a little more strict than its U.K. counterpart. Executive producer David Eilenberg told Entertainment Weekly, "We have to conform to broadcast standards, so what happens with language and — to some extent — what we see visually will be a little different because of the platform we're on."
Love Islanders must be more economical than you'd think
Contestants of the show are kept on another tight leash in terms of their contracts when it comes to financial dealings and how they appear on screen. For example, Love Islanders must forfeit any winnings from the show should they leave, and they're also not allowed to share money with others on the show or with other organizations (via Men's Health). Contestants on the show are paid, but not that much, as U.K. islanders are said to only receive just £250 (about $330), reported The Daily Star. They also must pay taxes on any money received from the show, both on winnings and paychecks.
In addition to finances, much to a D-lister's dismay, Islanders aren't allowed to advertise brand partnerships on the show or wear any visible brands. The contestants do, however, choose their own clothing, as there's no stylist available for them. In an interview with Refinery29, contestant Mallory Santic described the type of stress this caused for her preparing to be on TV, saying she was "literally at the mall for eight hours."