Love Island Australia 2019‘s Josh Packham has spilled some juicy behind-the-scenes secrets about the saucy series and some of these BLEW our minds!
Josh and Anna McEvoy won the second season of the hit dating show. And during his explosive tell-all in episode 329 of the So Dramatic! podcast, he revealed some tea we’re sure producers would have a fit over.
From sneaky production tricks to why he quit Love Island Games, keep scrolling to find out what really goes down on Love Island Australia!
Josh Packham says Love Island producers MANIPULATE the results of public votes
According to Josh, producers always got the final say on who came and left the villa, regardless of what the fans thought. Whaaaat?
If an Islander was well-liked by producers or was a huge character on the show, they’d always be protected, even if they came last in the public vote.
In fact, if the cast wanted to vote out a contestant that producers loved, they’d make them eliminate someone else!
And who said reality TV was real?
How do Love Island producers determine the Recoupling order?
According to Josh, all of the Islanders had to go to the Diary Room one by one and tell producers who they wanted to couple up with. Producers would then use this information to determine the recoupling order.
And like the true tea-spiller he is, Josh revealed a time this happened during his season.
“Margarita [Smith] wanted to couple up with Luke [Packham]. But Luke wanted to leave at that point,” Josh told host Megan Pustetto.
As a result, producers told Margarita to couple up with Blake Williamson. They then pretended that Luke was voted out by the public! Very sneaky!
How much do the producers control the day-to-day drama in the villa?
When it comes to the drama we all know and love, it turns out the sneaky producers play a role in making it happen!
The Block star confirmed that certain Islanders were told to “discuss arguments” they had or were directed to ask each other “specific questions”.
However, Josh stressed that Islanders were never forced to follow these prompts from producers. Interesting…
Josh reckons the Love Island Superfans DON’T exist
Love Island Australia has been pre-recorded for the past few years. And in 2022, the show introduced Superfans, a group of viewers who “sign up” to watch the show early and “take control of the villa”.
However, like many fans, Josh reckons these Superfans are a crock of sh*t.
“At the end of the day, production chooses who stays in the villa, regardless of the live result,” he said. As such, he determined that these ‘Superfans’ were just the producers. It makes sense!
Bombshells feed Islanders outside information
Josh also revealed that on his season of Love Island, Bombshells would feed the Islanders outside information!
“Every time someone new came in, they’d tell the cast who was getting the most airtime [and] who was and wasn’t liked,” The Block 2021 star spilled.
“[When] you’d find out who’s the most popular… The dynamics [would] change.”
Josh also shared the strategy most Bombshells used once they entered the villa.
“People wanted to stay in the villa as long as possible, [so] the Bombshells would always go for the people who were in a weak relationship,” he explained. And who goes on Love Island for lurve anyway?!
Islanders would use the phones of LOCALS to check their follower count
It’s no secret that the cast is allowed rest days during filming.
However, instead of getting that well-deserved R&R, Josh spilled that Islanders would go into town and pay locals to use their phones and find out how many Instagram followers they’d gained. OMG!
“People were so desperate to find out what the public was thinking,” Josh laughed. And desperate sounds about right!
Josh reveals whether the Love Island finale is rigged
Now, whilst Love Island is starting to sound like a TOTAL set-up, Josh revealed that the finale isn’t rigged.
“People pay to vote for the winner,” Josh said, clarifying that whilst producers intervene A LOT behind the scenes, the winner is definitely decided by the public. And there you have it!
How did producers make sure the cast gave consent before getting intimate?
Love Island Australia 2023 has introduced ‘Consent Hearts‘ next to the Islanders’ beds that they must press before getting intimate.
And according to Josh, things were a little less discrete on his season because before getting down and dirty, Islanders literally had to say “Consent” out loud. Eep.
However, he recalled that producers ran into the bedroom after one couple forgot to say “consent” before getting a little spicy.
And at least they’re taking consent seriously on Love Island!
Josh reveals whether he still speaks to Anna McEvoy
When asked if he still speaks to his ex Anna, Josh replied: “Absolutely not.”
However, he stressed that they didn’t end on bad terms.
“We’re amicable,” he said. “If I bumped into her I wouldn’t have any bad feelings.”
He then explained that the pair broke up because they had different personalities and their expectations for the perfect relationship didn’t align.
“You don’t really know someone until the cameras have stopped rolling,” he clarified.
Anna is happily engaged to her partner, Michael Staples.
Want even more goss? Listen to the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!
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