A new season of Love Island is almost upon us, giving a new batch of contestants the chance to find love in a dreamy summer destination. For many, this is the opportunity of a lifetime, but that’s because they’re not nearly as lucky as Ruchee Gurung.
In conversation with Radio Times, Gurung revealed that she had a chance to join the reality TV scene two years ago but turned it down. At the time, her circumstances were very different and stopped the contestant from joining a Winter season of Love Island.
“They reached out to me a couple years ago as well, like, I think it was 2021. (…) I think it was the winter one, they reached out to me, and at the time, I was actually kind of seeing someone and I was getting to know him and I really liked him. I also felt like I was really young. (…) I just didn’t feel comfortable. Or, like, I just didn’t think it was the right time. Although my friends were all like, ‘Are you crazy? Like, you’re not gonna go on it because you’re getting to know this guy?’ But I just didn’t feel like it was the right time.”
If something is meant to be, it will be. That’s the lesson Gurung seems to take away from this situation, claiming that ITV reaching out to her again via Instagram can only be a sign from the universe. Now, she feels ready to embrace the opportunity with open arms:
“They reached out to me again, a couple months ago, and then I was like, ‘You know what, this is a sign.’ Second time. I’m single. I’m grown. Like, I’m 24. I’ve got my s**t together. So let me just try it and like, you know, apply for it. So yeah, I did it and now I’m here.”
Gurung is one of the 10 recently announced Love Island contestants that will be part of the show’s 10th season, but rest assured, we’ll likely see some new faces pop up after the show begins. There’s nothing like new competitors to stir up some juicy drama.
Since its debut in 2005, Love Island has been responsible for uniting plenty of couples, some of which have endured the test of time. If everything goes right for Gurung, she may just get her happily ever after, and we’ll be here to watch it all happen.
Don’t miss out on Love Island UK‘s season 10 premiere on ITV2 and ITVX, on June 5.