Love Island star Sophie Gradon spoke of sick online trolls in chilling final interview
A LOVE Island star who was besieged by online trolls is now dead, as her co-stars ask questions about the after-care provided to reality TV contestants.
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BRITISH reality TV star Sophie Gradon admitted online trolls made her life hell in a chilling final interview before her death.
The Love Island contestant, who was found dead at her parents’ home last night aged 32, said the online bullying had been “horrific”, The Sun reports.
Sophie was speaking to Radio Aire alongside fellow UK Love Island star Zara Holland about the effect trolls had on them after leaving the show.
Talking to the radio station just three months ago, Sophie said: “It was horrific. I think when you get so many comments on the scale we did coming out of thousands of followers.
“There are fans and positive comments but people would focus on the negatives. Sometimes I would look for it.
“There would be so many negative comments. They are commenting on the way you look, the way you talk. They would come up with an opinion of you on a TV show where they’ve watched you for 45 minutes.
“And you’ve probably only be on ten minutes and its cut down from 24 hours. It was very hard to deal with because you take it like you’re being judged. It can really get into your mind and really affect you.
“The harsh reality is, it can end up with that person taking their own life. And as you’ve seen in the media, that is what happens. Can you imagine being responsible for that?”
Zara backed Sophie up and added: “People just know me on as the girl on Love Island who lost her crown.
“Trolls are horrible and cyber bullies are horrible. When you put yourself in that situation it’s hard not to look.”
It comes as Sophie’s family has been left devastated by her death, with a source close to the family telling The Sun Online: “Social media has a lot to answer for. She had the world at her feet but was so unhappy.
“Her parents are in turmoil. Their world is broken in two.”
The 32-year-old, who claimed she had “sold her soul to reality TV”, had frequently shared messages on social media about her mental health struggles.
Writing to a fan last year, she tweeted: “Hi guys, no not dead just battling a little bit of depression. I’ll come back I promise x”.
She added in October: “Feel so guilty when my anxiety takes over, for not wanting to see or speak to anyone. Some days I get so overwhelmed I just want to nap!”
Close pals have since revealed the reality star had been struggling to cope after the death of her friend Paul Burns, whose funeral she attended last week.
A close friend told The Sun Online: “She had been privately struggling with depression but close friends thought she was in a great place as she was madly in love with her boyfriend and life was good.
“However her good friend Paul Burns died and it affected her very badly.
“She struggled to cope with it and fell into a dark place.”
The close friend added Sophie was “daft as a brush but loved by all”, saying: “She was a loving and loyal friend who wouldn’t hurt a soul.”
Sophie herself had said life was looking up, in April writing: “Thinking back to when I became a total recluse, afraid to go out anywhere bc of crippling anxiety & how different my life is now!!! Facing up to your fears is sometimes the hardest but most rewarding thing!!!”
But friends have been left reeling from her death, with devastated boyfriend Aaron Armstrong writing in a tribute to Sophie: “I will never forget that smile.”
He added: “I love you so much baby you’re my world forever and always”.
Among those to pay tribute to Sophie was her ex Tom Powell, who revealed he had spoken to the former model just two weeks ago.
The reality star told The Sun Online: “Her closest friend called me this morning. It’s just shock. I didn’t know what to say first. I worried I was rude because I just didn’t understand.
“It’s not sunk in and it won’t be a long while.”
He said the pair had struggled after their public break up but had become close friends after apologising to each other for their “childish” behaviour.
Devastated Tom recalled: “I last spoke to Sophie two weeks ago.
“We Facetime regularly, we speak regularly. We had a crap break up but after six months we spoke and apologised to each other for being childish. We were close again.”
Speaking about their strong bond, Tom added: “We went through a lot together and no one can really understand want you’ve gone through on Love Island so we always had each other on that.
“Sophie was so loyal, I always had time for her.”
He said he had known Sophie took anxiety medication, including before and during her time on the British reality show.
He said: “She was on medication throughout Love Island — she took her anxiety medication every morning before we started filming. She always had it.”
But he hit back at claims contestants from the show had not supported them after filming finished.
Tom revealed: “The show was crazy but they took care of us.
“Anyone who says otherwise is talking bulls***.
“This morning Love Island called me and said I could call the psychologist who works for the show.
“They gave her new number. He was one of the first person to speak to us.
“After you leave the show you speak to the psychologist and you were always checking in with her. We had a lot of care after the show. They took great care of us.”
Ex and fellow Love Island star Katie Salmon also was among those left devastated by Sophie’s death.
Katie wrote on social media: “Isn’t it crazy how someone so stunning, so smiley and appeared so happy can feel [like there is] no way out.
“The world we live in behind social media.
“I urge everyone to be kind to every person they meet and speak with on social media and in person a simple smile, a simple nice comment can make a difference.
“You really don’t know the battles they go through every single day. The world has failed you beautiful.
“I’m heartbroken for you Soph to have felt this pain.”
Fellow contestant slams show: “Not enough after care”
Fellow Love Island UK contestant Malin Andersson has lashed out at Love Island bosses and called for the next episode of the UK version of the show not to air following the news of Sophie Gradon’s death.
As Sophie’s friends inundated her social media account with tributes, Malin said there should be more “after-care” once the show is over. She added: “Try going on a show like that and see what it can POTENTIALLY do to your mental health after.” She told her 250,000 Twitter followers: “I’m so distraught. All our memories in Love Island and after. Beautiful girl. Please rest in peace now.“ MENTAL HEALTH IS SERIOUS. LOOK AFTER EACH AND EVERYONE! NOT ENOUGH AFTER CARE @LoveIsland. IT SHOULD NOT AIR TONIGHT.”
If you are experiencing mental health issues or suicidal feelings contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue 1300 224 636, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or Headspace on 1800 650 890. If it is an emergency call 000.
Originally published as Love Island star Sophie Gradon spoke of sick online trolls in chilling final interview