Malin Andersson issues stark warning to wannabe reality stars as she recalls ... trends now

Malin Andersson has given some important advice to anyone hoping to go on a reality TV show, warning that they need to be sure they can handle it ahead of time.

The star, 32, shot to fame after appearing on Love Island all the way back in the second series in 2016. 

She was 24 years old when she entered the villa, during the time widely seen as the beginning of Love Island's peak popularity.

As a result Malin and her fellow Islanders like Olivia and Alex Bowen, Cara De La Hoyde, and Kady McDermott, were among the first to experience the sudden overnight fame that comes with being on the ITV2 show.

And now she has issued a stark warning to those who want to follow in her footsteps, admitting she had been a 'very dark place' after leaving the villa. 

Love Island has been hit with backlash in recent years following the tragic suicides of former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, as well as host Caroline Flack.

Speaking to MailOnline about the debate surrounding the effect of reality shows on stars' mental health, Malin said she felt people should only go on if they knew they deal with the difficult parts as well.

She said: 'From coming from a reality TV background - who I was when I came out of Love Island, it's a very dark place to be. And that happens with a lot of these shows. 

'If you know can stand on your own two feet and say you're cool with all of the stuff that comes with it, I say do it. 

'But what I didn't know was that I thought I could deal with it at the time, and when I came out I couldn't. And then I went through so much trauma, that made it worse.'

She added: 'I think if you have things in your mental health to work out and know that you can't do it, then don't chase the fame, chase the healing.'

Several former Islanders has spoken about how their life changed once leaving the villa, including self-esteem issues and depression.

Laura Anderson said she began doubting her appearance, Zara McDermott admitted she struggled not to be 'self-obsessed' due to social media and Samira Mighty admitted that on her worst days she 'hates' her life and struggles to get out of bed.

Malin has admitted she was 'vulnerable' on Love Island and wasn't in the state of mind to find the connection she was looking for, leading to further 'trauma'.

She revealed that her deep desire to be loved contributed to her getting into abusive relationships, because she didn't know her own worth.

She explained: 'When I went through my abusive relationships it was really me screaming I want to be loved. 

'I don't love myself, so I'll accept any kind of love - even if it's abuse. And when I realised that and let them go, I could really see I was creating that in my life.'

Malin has been very candid about her experiences with domestic violence and has campaigned for abuse survivors.

Her former boyfriend Tom Kemp was jailed for 10 months in 2020, after admitting to an assault on her that left her 'black and blue' with a broken hand.

He was the father of Malin's baby girl Consy, who tragically died with a heart defect in January 2019, just one month after being delivered at 33 weeks.

The couple met in late 2017 and Malin has been open about the abuse and emotional torment she suffered while in the on/off relationship.