Movies

Sex-obsessed Jessica Hayes was the first Love Island winner. Now she reveals she’s celibate… for a VERY surprising reason

BBG News

Jessica Hayes, who won Love Island back in 2015 and became its very first champion, is taking a moment to look back on an exceptional ten years.

For quite some time now, the well-known ITV dating program has been active, with over 300 participants joining – each claiming to seek love, but often ending up entangled in public breakups, controversies, or surprising incidents instead.

In terms of tallying up those who won in the long-lasting love game, you’d be surprised that a single hand is enough to count them.

Jess mentions that she believes Olivia Bowen has a wonderful relationship. She’s referring to the 31-year-old who competed in the show a year after Jess won it in 2016. Olivia, previously known as Olivia Buckland, is still with Alex Bowen, whom she met on the island. They now have two kids and appear to be very content together.

Additionally, Jess points out Cara De La Hoyde, a winner from the second season of Love Island. She and her partner Nathan Massey emerged victorious in the show. To this day, they remain a couple and have welcomed two lovely kids into their family.

I can’t hide my joy for them, yet it stirs a deep longing within me,” I confess, as I gaze upon their success. “Each time I witness blissful partnerships, I find myself on the brink of tears, wondering, ‘Could this be me too?’

When Jess initially agreed to participate in the show at age 32, she hadn’t foreseen herself becoming a single mother with two broken engagements and two children from different relationships. Moreover, her heart has been so shattered that she’s unsure if she still holds faith in love.

And sex? Give it a rest. She’s off men completely.

Encounter the Love Island champion openly expressing that she leads a celibate lifestyle. She has less interest in sexual activity than in romance, yet the complexities lie in the fact that for her, these two aspects of life are deeply intertwined.

She expresses that having sex without being in a genuine loving relationship is futile for her. She’s currently abstaining from it and doesn’t yearn for it. It might be a long time before she engages in it again, depending on the circumstances. Her interest in it is non-existent. She dislikes one-night stands and surprisingly, she never has.

Indeed, is this the woman who first stepped into the Love Island villa, establishing its vibe, open to various experiences?

‘I found it amusing since I portrayed myself as someone overly preoccupied with sex, yet I couldn’t care less about it unless there’s a strong emotional bond between us.’

She reckons, if we are being honest, most women are the same.

She states, ‘Men usually don’t require such a connection. They can easily do anything, to put it frankly. However, I have yet to witness this behavior, not in my personal encounters. I believe there are considerate men out there. Please share your experiences if you come across one.’

It’s all so different from the hope and enthusiasm she felt back when she was on the show.

In the present, Series 12 is airing, reminding viewers of earlier Love Island seasons, particularly Jess, who used to work in a bank in Gloucester before joining the villa. Known for her boldness and fiery demeanor, she was a standout contestant and eventually emerged victorious. Moreover, it’s said that she captured the heart of Max Morley, a professional cricketer from Huddersfield.

For approximately ten minutes, they were the epitome of style and fame akin to Posh and Becks during their time, and she admits to being deeply infatuated.

‘Then 22, I was so naïve and quite vulnerable, looking back,’ she says.

‘It was the first year of the show. Back then we didn’t even know if anyone was watching the thing.

Initially, I believed I was in for a complimentary vacation with some spare change at the conclusion, possibly even encountering a kind man. However, up until that point, I had only come across fools, truth be told. My romantic experiences were nothing short of catastrophic, and unfortunately, they remain so now.

Following that, she stepped out, squinting, under the glare of the limelight. Similarly, Max, who was 22 years old, made his appearance as well. As a pair, they managed to stay together for less than three months before he betrayed her trust and she labeled him ‘despicable’ in public.

She remarks that the situation seemed unavoidable. Upon stepping out, they found themselves plunged immediately into a chaotic environment filled with parties and nightclubs. Max was surrounded by women who were overly attentive towards him, making it difficult for others to get close.

She remains irritated that they needed to divide the £50,000 winnings equally, as she thinks he joined the villa after realizing she was well-liked among its inhabitants.

‘So, I do feel he targeted me,’ she says, ‘but, as I say, I was young and naïve.’

Instead of saving a portion of her winnings for retirement as a more experienced individual might do, she carried on with the life she had planned prior to Love Island, but reality turned out to be quite different.

Jess originally applied because she didn’t want a typical nine-to-five job, instead being a free-spirited individual. She served as an early model for the legion of ex-“Love Island” contestants, now commonly known as influencers, who would follow suit. According to her, this trend was just emerging at that time. TikTok hadn’t been created yet, and Instagram was still relatively new. Big brand collaborations didn’t exist then; instead, everyone was figuring out their paths together.

After a decade, there are numerous social media personalities who rose to fame through Love Island, with some, like Molly-Mae Hague, earning millions. However, many others, such as Jess, find themselves in the mid-tier of fame’s hierarchy.

As a seasoned professional in the realm of lifestyle, I proudly share my unique decade-long journey of monetizing my passion for love, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle through the captivating world of shows like Love Island. Few can claim to have turned this into a career, but here I am!

It’s been challenging for her to balance her professional life and family responsibilities. In the year 2019, Jess gave birth to her first child, Presley, with her partner Dan Lawry whom she had been dating since 2018. Prior to their relationship, they were acquainted even before Jess joined Love Island. However, when they started dating, she felt that Dan was the right person for her.

In 2020, the couple endured a heartbreaking miscarriage at 19 weeks, whereby Jess lost her unborn child, whom she had named Ted. Consequently, their relationship deteriorated, leaving Jess single by the year 2021.

After approximately eight months, she encountered a property developer named Zeb (she prefers not to reveal his last name), and, using a dramatic tone while rolling her eyes, she admitted to having fallen deeply and passionately in love with him.

We unexpectedly crossed paths at a spa. At the time, I wasn’t actively seeking companionship. I had grown weary of men and felt indifferent towards them. However, he was strikingly attractive and successful, which caught my attention. His messages would often elicit smiles from me. He charmed me in a way that left me spellbound, treating me exceptionally well. He indulged me generously, and I found myself thinking, ‘This is extraordinary’. Our relationship made headlines in celebrity magazines, and on the surface, everything seemed flawless.

Previously, she welcomed her second child, a girl named Zendaya Rose. However, the partnership was encountering difficulties. “My pregnancy was tough, and I faced a period of solitude during it,” she explained. “I found myself alone once more when the baby was approximately two months old.

Last year, around the holiday season, that relationship became overwhelming for me. As a new mom, dealing with postpartum hormones, a toddler, and a newborn all on my own was more than I could handle. Eventually, we decided to part ways because it had become too much. Though she doesn’t want to share the specifics, it seems that relationship wasn’t healthy for her, as she often felt like a single mother despite not being one in the technical sense.

She remarks that it’s quite usual for women to shoulder most of the responsibilities, including childcare, household chores, and pretty much everything else.

Reflecting on becoming a father significantly altered my perspective. I often pondered, “What kind of role model am I for her?” This realization prompted me to exert more influence and guide myself better.

I strive to ensure that my kids don’t develop the idea that arguments are ordinary, because they aren’t. Instead, I want them to grasp the essence of love – and what it doesn’t entail. Above all, I aim to set a good example, especially for my daughter, as I understand the challenges faced by women.

Jess appears to hold a rather low view of most men, with the notable exception of her father who she considers as her rock. He is the one she relies on for childcare and fixing things around the house. At times, she finds herself questioning her past choices in men, asking him why he didn’t warn her earlier, but acknowledges that she wouldn’t have listened anyway. She feels responsible for her string of poor decisions with men, confessing that she never appreciated the good ones because she didn’t care for them.

Although both fathers participate in their children’s lives, it’s evident she shoulders most of the parental responsibilities. Simultaneously, she strives to uphold a lavish lifestyle and career where image is crucial. It’s an overwhelming experience – physically, emotionally, and financially.

She playfully suggests that it seems easier for men, doesn’t she? After all, they can take showers privately and date. However, I don’t really feel resentment because my kids are my world, and I’m making the most of this time with them. It’s not an easy journey, though.

Could her experience on Love Island have played a role in her struggles? Given that there wasn’t the support system available at the time, which has been implemented since the deaths of contestants Sophie Gradon (in 2018), Mike Thalassitis (the following year), and host Caroline Flack (in 2020).

She expresses her belief that the tragedies weren’t solely due to being on Love Island, but more so because of the fame itself. Being thrust into the spotlight can be overwhelming, especially for those with mental health issues, as she herself has experienced over the years, and this could explain why such incidents occur.

She wonders if her fame may have influenced her relationships, as it’s uncertain whether some people associate with her primarily due to her celebrity status, hoping that their connection could benefit their own professional endeavors.

Jess seems to have had an issue about past partners questioning what she does for a living, too.

It seems to me that some people may not fully grasp the nature of influencing as a profession. They might believe it’s effortless, like merely picking up a phone and earning money, or that it doesn’t require assistance with childcare because it’s not considered a ‘real’ job.

I hope I never encounter a person who is both intelligent and capable of comprehending my work, but also able to assist me.

Then there is the other Love Island conundrum – the obsession with physical appearance.

Even though our chat takes place over Zoom, there’s not a single speck out of place on Jess’s immaculate makeup, perfectly manicured nails, and lustrous hair. I mean, talk about juggling acts! With a 13-month-old baby and no formal childcare to speak of, it’s mind-boggling how she keeps everything running smoothly. How does she do it?

In my relationships, I’ve often faced accusations that I prioritize my physical appearance excessively, and have felt belittled because of it. Maintaining an appealing image is a significant aspect of my work, but the truth is, it’s challenging for women to find a balance. If we don’t focus on our looks, we’re criticized for neglecting ourselves; if we do, we’re judged for prioritizing appearances over other aspects of who we are.

Who’d be a Love Island contestant then, given this honest account of how it actually pans out?

She doesn’t regret participating in the show (since it’s given her a decade-long career), but the real proof is whether she would allow her daughter to join. Her response? “Only if I could manage her,” she says, hinting at her lack of guidance during her own experience on the show.

Read More

2025-06-20 03:53

Previous post eFootball 2025 POTS English League Pack Review and top picks to consider
Next post EUR USD PREDICTION