Love Island’s Charleen Drops Villa Bombshells: Secret Promises, Hidden Chats and a Sh0ck DM From a Show Legend
INFLUENCER Charleen Murphy broke the internet when she strutted into Casa Amor this year, following weeks where frenzied fans had tracked her movements in the hope Love Island bosses would cast their girl.
But after falling for the wrong boy in Kavan Murphy, Charleen spent most of her time in the famous villa in tears before being turfed out after seven days.
Charleen Murphy says she fell for Kavan almost instantly after entering Casa AmorCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
The influencer told The Sun how Kavan made future plans with her and delivered a heartfelt speech that viewers never got to seeCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Now in her first chat, the Irish model has revealed the shocking extent of Kavan’s sweet talk, the lad who pulled her for secret, unaired chats during Casa Amor and the Love Island legend who has caught her eye on the outside.
Plus she’s lifted the lid on plans to call out one “disingenuous” girl, regrets about one “knight in shining armour” and rumours she’s already lined-up for All Stars.
The Sun first revealed Charleen was in talks for Love Island in April, unwittingly sparking a manhunt that would end with fans tracking the influencer’s every move until she was spotted finally boarding a plane to Palma, Majorca, at the end of last month.
We then confirmed she had been cast in the squad of Casa Amor girls sent in to try and turn the original lads’ heads.
Charleen said: “I was so overwhelmed by the end of it. By the end of it, I was like, I just want to go in so that I can stop all this attention.
“People were just talking about it everywhere. I was in shopping centres, in airports, going to different places and people would be like, show us your boarding pass, are you going to Mallorca?
“Everyone was saying it in a nice way, but it was just crazy.
“I was putting up Instagram Stories and they were like, this is definitely pre-recorded. Someone was like, whoever’s doing her social media is doing a great job. I was like, yeah, because it’s me.
“And I think then comes the added pressure of when you do go on, people are expecting big things, because why is it so hyped?
“And then I went on and cried for the whole time!”
The model, 28, from Dublin, went in armed with advice from Love Island star Lucinda Strafford, who is a best pal.
But it was of no use to her in the villa when she locked eyes with 21-year-old electrician Kavan.
He was a risky target as he’d already spent three weeks with gorgeous Jasmine Muller in the main villa.
Charleen said: “I think the second I saw him, I kind of just forgot everyone else’s name.
“The girls were like ‘who’s going to chat to who tonight?’ And I was like, Kav, I don’t want to talk to anyone else. I just think we had that instant connection and I don’t know if for him it was real or not, but I think for me, it definitely, definitely was.
“He played down the connection [with Jasmine] a lot and said they were on the break and having a rough patch.”
Fans were shocked to see Kav gush about Charleen, making comments like: “Where have you been for four weeks?”
But their connection went further than that.
Charleen revealed: “We were making like future plans. Like we were planning to go to New York for Christmas. Things like that, some people might say is like flirting and banter but I say no, it’s not.
“Like when someone tells me that, I believe them, that’s just how I am. Like when I make plans, I hope that they do happen. So maybe for him it was tongue in cheek. But I was like, booking my flight to New York.”
Before returning to the main villa, there is a secret, off-screen recoupling where the OG boys choose to select a Casa girl or stick to their original pair.
Charleen went on: “They never show that recoupling, but I kind of wish they did because Kav’s speech was so lovely. Like I was cheesing, I was like smiling.
“He said ‘I haven’t smiled this much in weeks’. I think he said like, ‘it’s been the happiest I’ve been since I got in here and everyone can see that’. And I remember after the speech, all the girls were like, oh my God, that was so lovely and that it was the nicest speech out of them all.”
Charleen came crashing down when immediately upon entering the main villa, Kavan dropped her hand and began his mission to win back Jasmine.
Charleen lifted the lid on the unseen moments, secret chats and heartbreak that never made it to airCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Kavan reunited with Jasmine after bringing Charleen back from Casa Amor, leaving the Dublin beauty devastatedCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
It meant she spent the rest of her time vying for his time or in tears.
She added: “That recoupling speech – I was feeling so happy and good. And then that night it all came crashing down.
“You’re standing surrounded by people who don’t really want you there. The guy that you like, you’ve instantly realised has felt like it’s a mistake that he brought you back.
“So I cried, but I think I was very valid in my feelings. It was hard because I haven’t liked someone in a while. Like, okay, it’s only three days, but everything is more intense.
“But I can’t even excuse the fact that it was Love Island and it was an intense environment because I’d probably be like that anyway because when I know, I know. And I thought I knew and obviously I didn’t.”
Jasmine was just as gutted by Kavan’s connection with Charleen, which she saw play out during Movie Night.
The Dubai model admitted they’d taken their relationship to the next level and “were not just sleeping in bed”.
Charleen says she had no idea things were so serious.
She said: “I took his word for the fact they weren’t in a good place. I had no idea about that [Jasmine and Kav’s physical connection]. She did tell me that when we had a chat as well and it broke my heart because I know, especially for a girl, being physical brings you so close to someone.
“And it’s really an intimate thing that brings everything to the next level. And I think hearing that did make me feel a certain type of way, I felt sick for her.”
It wasn’t just Kavan who was tempted by Charleen, though, as the bombshell has admitted another lad pursued her too.
Charleen revealed: “Finley actually pulled me for a chat in Casa. And I did say that to Ellie as well. But I, at that point, was really set on Kav.”
Charleen said Finley pulled her for chats in Casa Amor, despite returning to the villa committed to EllieCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
The bombshell also branded Mica the villa’s most “disingenuous” girl after comments she made about her following the Casa Amor recouplingCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
It’ll be news to fans, as Finley was only seen getting to know another girl, Olivia, but proudly headed back to his coupling with Ellie Chadwick in the main villa and proclaimed he’d passed “the test”.
Now Finley is on the brink of having his head turned by a new bombshell, Elicia.
Charleen said: “I think Finley’s silly. Ellie is a great girl. Like I sat with them on the nets and they were talking about their future plans and her meeting his family.
“I was like crying, I was like, guys, you’re just so cute. Like, this is what I want. He’s not thinking with his brain at the minute and he’s going to lose a really good girl.”
Charleen has less kind words to say about another villa girl, Mica Harris, who made derogatory comments at her expense.
Asked which girl was less genuine, Charleen said: “Mica, because she was like, ‘I can’t believe Kav brought that girl back.’
“That’s saying I’m not as good as Jasmine. And she said something to Kav about like, ‘you’ve lost the plot’ or something as well. It’s not nice to see someone comparing me to someone else or saying you’re less than.
“I’d say that to her if I see her. I’m not a very confrontational person, but if I have something to say, I will say it.”
But what of Charleen’s love life?
On the ITV2 show’s spin-off Aftersun, she hinted that she’d have been better going for Kav’s elder brother Aidan Murphy – who is also in the villa.
She added: “He just was backing me every time. He said so many nice things to my face, but then behind my back, he just spoke so highly of me. Like, I feel like he had a respect for me and I thought he was less mature than Kav, but I think Aidan is actually more mature.
“I think maybe he’s my knight in shining armour. Is it too close to home to go for him with everything that happened with Kav? Like, do I want to be sitting at the Christmas dinner table? Probably not. We’ll see what position Aidan’s in when he comes out. But yeah, I think I would like to talk to him for sure.
Charleen continued: “I’ve had a couple Islanders slide in my DMs too. Some just like giving support, like Opi, Tommy, Tina. They’re all really lovely. And then some past Islanders from different years as well.”
There’s one show legend who has caught Charleen’s eye.
“Casey O’Gorman did text me. He was on Aftersun last night too, so I met him in real life. But yeah, probably I would say [I’m interested] in him. I think he’s really funny. I need someone funny.
“And looking back, Kav wasn’t really that funny. I’m not being bitter, but he wasn’t. And that’s one of my big things. I need someone who’s going to make me laugh.”
Casey is notorious for appearing on four series of Love Island – and is now a panellist on Aftersun.
But she might encounter him on All Stars, as she’s up for agreeing to return.
Charleen added: “I wish I showed better sides to me, I was in my feels, I was sad girl, but that’s just how it was. But I would like to do All Stars, to show more of me being chirpy and happy and to maybe find someone genuine.
“Now I want to move to London. I’ve said it for years and I’m sick of myself saying it. So I think I will, maybe like autumn time. For the minute I’m going to stay in Dublin but London is definitely on the cards before the end of the year, for sure.”
Who needs New York for Christmas when you’ve got the capital?
