Love Island star Molly Mae Hague has claimed distancing herself from the reality TV show that made her a household name has made her more successful.
The star has revealed she "never wanted to be known as a Love Islander" and has enjoyed more opportunities in her career because she didn't discuss her time on the show.
The 22-year-old influencer appeared on the fifth series of the ITV2 dating series in 2019 and finished as runner up alongside boyfriend Tommy Fury.
Despite missing out on the £50,000 cash prize, with Amber Rose Gill and Greg O'Shea pipping her and boxer Tommy to first place, the social media star has become one of the most successful Love Island contestants of all time.
Speaking to The Sun, the star explained that she distanced herself from the hit show from "the very start" and says the move helped her land her new job as creative director role at PrettyLittleThing.
She said: "“When I came out of Love Island, I never wanted to be known as a Love Islander because I felt it closed me off to a lot of other opportunities that I have now explored in the way I distanced myself," she told the publication.
“I don’t believe, if I had stuck with ‘I'm just a Love Islander, I’m just a Love Islander’, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now as the creative director of PLT."
Molly continued to confess that the decision to ditch the Love Island label wasn't "necessarily all strategic" but wouldn't change a thing about how she's navigated her post-villa career.
“For me I went full throttle and here I am now," she pointed out.
"I wouldn’t change a single thing I’ve done. I’m really proud of what I have done since I’ve come out of the show.”
On Thursday, the popular influencer was announced as the new creative director of online fashion brand PrettyLittleThing - in a deal that is rumoured to see the star net a seven-figure salary.
Having already designed several best-selling lines for the fast-fashion site, Molly's new position within the company is sure to boost her bank balance even further.
Earlier this week, the Love Island star trended on social media after she revealed on her Instagram Stories that she had purchased a gold Cartier bangle as a "well done" gift to herself ahead of her career news being announced.
With the piece of jewellery estimated to be worth over £35,000, it's clear that the former islander has amassed a fortune as well as fame since leaving the Spanish villa two years ago.
However, despite her and 22-year-old Tommy being one of the most popular Love Island couples of all time, the loved-up pair very rarely mention the show that set them up.
Many fans have criticised Molly for seemingly turning her back on the reality TV show that launched her career, but the fashion influencer has defended her decision.
