Critics like Piers Morgan might hold certain views about the brain power of certain Love Island contestants, but new arrival Shaughna Phillips is hoping to go against that stereotype by launching a political career after the show.
The 25-year-old already works as a democratic services officer for London’s Lambeth council and has revealed her dreams of working in politics once she leaves the villa.
Speaking to HuffPost UK and other journalists in South Africa ahead of entering the villa, Shaughna said: “I definitely want to get into some kind of politics. I just like helping people and I want to do as much as I can.
“For me, it’s not really about how much a job pays you, because it’s about helping people. I know that’s cliché and embarrassing, but the job I was in before my previous one was more money, but I got a better feeling out of it.”
Shaughna, who said she has no allegiance to any current political party, explained that her current role sees her support local councillors and their committees, ensuring anything they do is legal and in the best interests of the people of Lambeth.
Prior to that, she worked in a fire safety team, which was put put together two weeks after the Grenfell Tower disaster to ensure all front doors in council tenants’ properties were fire safe or refitted.
“To begin with, it was overwhelming,” she said. “But because you’re doing something good, that if I went home and there was a few more fire safe doors that had been installed, it was like, ‘good, we’re getting there’.
“It was hitting the ground running as there was so much to do, so it was like a project and I loved, loved, loved it.”
While a period of fame and fortune may await her after appearing on Love Island, Shaughna also admitted she would not mind returning to her job at the council, revealing she begged her bosses to keep her role open.
She explained: “I had to leave because you get an allowance from ITV, so I couldn’t be on unpaid leave there and be getting money from somewhere else. But my manager has said the door is open if I do want to go back, but said I won’t need to. I was like, ‘listen, I need that door open, I need that in writing’.”
“I could be home in a week and back in Lambeth in two weeks, or I might not be. So I think that’s the bit I’m probably thinking about a little bit more,” she added.
And while her career and post-show ambitions bare similarities to that of series three Islander Camilla Thurlow, who worked in land mine clearance before the show and has continued to work with charitable causes, Shaughna said that is where the comparisons between them will likely stop.
She said: “I think I’m a little bit more confident or outgoing. She seemed so sweet, just like a little lamb you want to hold, and I think I’m definitely more lairy.
“I need to take a note out of her book!”
Love Island begins on Sunday at 9pm on ITV2.