One of the incoming Love Island contestants has disclosed she wasn't the casting team's original choice. Mica Harris is amongst six women entering the Majorca villa on Monday, June 1st, and she first encountered the opportunity last Christmas.
The 21-year-old student was in her native Barbados when an ITV talent scout contacted her elder sister, Viviana, hoping to recruit her for the programme. "I was at home and my sister was out and she started speaking to my sister about the show, and was actually initially asking my sister if she wanted to do it," Mica told MyLondon and other media outlets before beginning her television appearance.
However, Viviana declined the opportunity and suggested Mica to the casting team. "My sister was like 'No, but my little sister would love to,'" Mica remembered. "Then the casting producer reached out to me, we started speaking and then the whole process kind of got going."
A Serendipitous Path
Now she's joined the line-up, Mica considers her path "serendipitous" as she had consistently informed friends she would participate in Love Island if given the chance. With mere days remaining until the new series launches, the newfound reality star feels "really excited" for a fresh challenge.
"I like to push myself outside of my comfort zone. I think when an opportunity like this arises, you should take it," she added.
Viviana's Happy Outcome
It appears circumstances worked favourably for Viviana as well, as she found a new boyfriend following her decision to reject the ITV role. When questioned about her sister's decision to turn down the opportunity, Mica revealed: "She lives in New York, first off - she's not even in the UK. And I don't think she can imagine herself being on TV. She's very similar to me, we're both very loud and bubbly. But she also just started at a new job and she's very content with her life in New York. Funnily enough, now she has a boyfriend. So it's good that that didn't work out."
Love Island's new summer series begins on June 1 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
