‘It’s so normalised’: Love Island’s Montana Brown details pressures of drugs in the industry, post-villa anxiety and her pal Mike Thalassitis’ suicide
- The reality star, 24, admitted she’s ‘always been a bit of a grandma’ and doesn’t drink, so is stunned by the presence of drugs in the industry
- She spoke again about her friend Mike’s passing after he died from suicide in March last year while also discussing Caroline Flack’s death in February
- Having shot to fame on the ITV2 reality show in 2017, Montana confessed she was bewildered when she left the villa as she developed anxiety
Love Island star Montana Brown has spoken about struggling with the pressures of fame and drugs in the showbiz industry.
The reality star, 24, spoke candidly to former TOWIE star and Tings Magazine founder Vas J Morgan for his I Am Enough campaign, in which he speaks to stars about battles with mental health and people coping with isolation.
Having shot to fame on the ITV2 reality show in 2017, Montana confessed she was bewildered when she left the villa as she developed anxiety, while she also spoke of her friend and co-star Mike Thalassitis’ suicide.
Open and honest: Love Island star Montana Brown has spoken about struggling with the pressures of fame and drugs in the showbiz industry
Joining stars including Sofia Richie, Lauren Pope and Chloe Sims in chatting to Vas, Montana was opening up about her struggles in the spotlight.
On developing anxiety when she left the villa, Montana revealed she was stunned when she left the villa at the instant fame, particularly when she got to the airport.
Revealing a group of boys picked her up, she said: ‘I remember landing in Luton airport and being so paranoid. This group of lads picked me up and I remember thinking “get off me”. People see you on the show and think they’re your friend.’
As Vas spoke about sobriety, Montana, who admitted she hardly drinks, revealed she struggles with the presence of alcohol and drugs while going out.
Tough times: The reality star, 24, spoke candidly to former TOWIE star and Tings Magazine founder Vas J Morgan for his I Am Enough campaign, in which he speaks to stars about battles with mental health and people coping with isolation
Open and honest: In an impassioned plea to followers, Vas added: ‘You dont have to do drink or drugs to fit in or be fun or hang. You are enough’
She said: ‘Before Love Island I hadn’t touched anything drugwise and I find it really scary. I’m like how do you know what it is? And it’s so normalised now.’
In an impassioned plea to followers, Vas added: ‘You dont have to do drink or drugs to fit in or be fun or hang. You are enough.’
He went on to urge fans to find their trigger and speak to people: ‘Try and find professional help. Stay sober and take every day at a time.
Montana was particularly vocal about mental health following Mike’s death, after he was died from suicide in March last year, while she also referenced Love Island host Caroline Flack’s tragic passing in February.
Devastating: Montana was particularly vocal about mental health following Mike’s death, after he was died from suicide in March last year, while she also referenced Love Island host Caroline Flack’s tragic passing in February
Mike’s death was ruled a suicide after toxicology results showed he took a lethal cocktail of cocaine, alcohol and paracetamol before he hanged himself.
The combination of alcohol and cocaine is known to make someone 16 times more likely to kill themselves, the coroner said.
Montana said: ‘Love Island really opened my eyes to how many people are suffering. It’s dreadful. Life is too short. As much as it was my friend Mike, and your friend Caroline, it happens to so many people on a daily basis.’
Her pal: Mike’s death was ruled a suicide after toxicology results showed he took a lethal cocktail of cocaine, alcohol and paracetamol before he hanged himself