LOVE Island star Rachel Finni has spoken out about her post-show experience, blasting her co-stars following a viral Instagram live, calling them “nobodies”.
The 29-year-old appeared on the ITV dating show last year as a bombshell, coupling up with Brad McClelland for a few days.
On Wednesday (June 8) night, Brad, 26, along with fellow ex-islanders Jake Cornish, 25, Tyler Cruickshank, 26, and Aaron Francis, 24, decided to go live on Instagram.
During the broadcast, the former Love Island stars discussed a range of topics, but conversation soon turned to discuss their season’s female bombshells.
When Rachel Finni’s name was mentioned – as she was one of the first bombshells to enter the villa – Brad scoffed and pulled a face, implying that she wasn’t worthy of being called a bombshell.
The three other islanders then burst out laughing, unable to speak for a few moments.
Despite the conversation moving on for a second, Brad brought back the conversation again to clearly state: “Again, Rachel, NOT a bombshell”.
LOVE ISLAND
A short 44-second screen recording of the broadcast has since gone viral on social media, with the boys being branded as “cruel”, “childish”, and “bullies”.
Fans of the show instantly took to Twitter to discuss, with one writing: “Aaron, tyler, jake and Brad sitting on insta lives and laughing and making fun of Rachel is giving me secondary vibes. How childish”.
Another said: “A big f**k you to Brad, Jake, Aaron and Tyler for taking time out of their day to bully Rachel one year later after the show.”
Rachel was made aware of the Instagram Live not long after, taking to her own Instagram stories to address it.
The former luxury travel advisor wrote: ” Imagine I was only on it 5 minutes, have the least amount of followers and yet STILL have more substance, more impact and more interest expressed in me than the lot combined.
“Aside from living off love island fame what exactly are you doing!? What else are you recognised for outside vanity and social media!?”
The star explained that due to this incident, she now has felt her first feeling of regret when it comes to appearing on the show.
Rachel continued: “Despite EVERYTHING that happened till now, I still saw the experience as a blessing. No matter how awful and manipulated it was I just took it as part of the experience as it lead me to amazing things.
“But for it to be TODAYYYY and I have actual nobodies mimicking me and discussing me publicly like a joke. I am FULLY over it and regret going on the show. Why is this deserving of going on a tv show?”
The star called the boys involved “idiots”, claiming they had “publicly humiliated” her: “How do these actual idiots think it’s ok to publicly humiliate and me and discuss me like that?”
She explained that this isn’t a sole incident for her, alleging: “And not just today. Multiple, multiple and multiple times over.
“TODAY year later and I’m still being bullied/ taunted openly for all to see. Honestly.…if there’s a statement stronger than “f**k you’ understand it and receive it. I’m done.”
At first, it seemed like none of the 2021 islanders had spoken out to back Rachel’s comments, but earlier today, finalist Kaz Kamwi made an Instagram Story in support of Rachel.
She publicly called out Brad, Jake, Aaron – and even her own ex Tyler – calling them “clowns”, and stating they all owe her an apology.
She wrote alongside a snap of Rachel: “I generally don’t get involved in much BUT I really wish people would honestly take a step back and think about how harmful their words & actions are and can be.
“We all know what public humiliation feels like so why are you going out of your way to embarrass and put someone else down? @brad_mcclell @jakecornish @tylercruickshank_@aaronfranciis”.
Kaz continued: “Every single one of you owe rachel an apology. Publicly & Privately. What a bunch of clowns. So unprovoked & FOR WHYYY? Kmt.
“You stay true to you @rachel.finni. You deserve way more respect than this. You Queen. Love you & so do some many others. A bombshell in our eyes”.
Love Island 2019’s winner Amber Gill has also seemingly supported Rachel on Twitter, as she re-tweeted a post suggesting that Faye Winter should be sent to “drag this man Brad again”, alongside a video clip of Faye telling Brad: “I think you’re a fu**ing idiot”.
Shannon Singh has also spoken out about the situation, claiming that Rachel is “definitely owed an apology, I don’t know if there’s any point now cause they’ve just turned their comments off instead of apologising to her.”
None of the boys involved have responded to Rachel’s claims, and have all turned off their comments on their Instagram accounts.
Tyler initially had his comments on and received multiple requests to apologise, but has since deleted them and turned off his comments.
The Celeb Report Online has reached out to Brad McClelland, Tyler Cruickshank, Aaron Francis and Jake Cornish’s representatives for comment.
