Love Island: All Stars contestant Olivia Hawkins says she's 'tired' of being branded a villain and admits her dating life has worsened since her first villa stint

Love Island: All Stars contestant Olivia Hawkins says she is ‘tired’ of being branded a ‘villain’ and insists her confidence has been misinterpreted.

The returning Islander, 29, admits she still hasn’t been in a long-term relationship and her dating life has worsened since she appeared on the show in 2023.

Olivia faced a backlash from viewers and was labelled a ‘schemer’ during her series for clashing with her co-stars and dividing audiences with her upfront opinions.

And she has no plans to reenter the villa with a new game plan, saying she hopes to create fresh memories and hopefully, finally, meet the man of her dreams.

She told MailOnline: ‘I am a confident girl, but I don’t go into things thinking I want to cause drama or be this controversial person.

‘I just am a confident girl and if a situation arises in the villa, I will face it. Was I ever a villain? Its tiring isn’t it, that label, I’m just me and some people will like me, and some people won’t and that’s the same with everyone, everyone’s entitled to their opinion, especially with reality TV.

Love Island: All Stars contestant Olivia Hawkins says she is ‘tired’ of being branded a ‘villain’ and insists her confidence has been misinterpreted

The returning Islander admits she still hasn’t been in a long-term relationship and her dating life has worsened since she appeared on the show in 2023

She has no plans to reenter the villa with a new game plan, saying she hopes to create fresh memories and hopefully, finally, meet the man of her dreams

‘I’m definitely not going in with a game plan, I’m just going in as myself. Anyone that was to go in with a game plan I don’t know how they would, it would collapse in two seconds.’

Olivia says her family would be thrilled to see her meet someone on the show given she is yet to be in a relationship and this year turns the milestone age of 30.

Despite being fiercely independent, Olivia insists that she is ready to meet The One and settle down romantically.

She said: ‘If I come out with a boyfriend, absolutely amazing, I’m sure my friends and family will be over the moon because I have never been in a relationship so it would be nice for me to bring someone home.

‘Since the show, my dating has actually got worse. I haven’t been on many dates, I have focused on myself, and I have always been an independent person, for a long time and throughout my 20s but it’s definitely the right time, I’m ready to settle down now.’

Unlike the majority of women her age, Olivia says she has never explored meeting a partner on dating apps and admits she finds it difficult to let her guard down.

She added: ‘No, I have never been on any dating apps. It’s not for me, I like to meet people in person and meet them from recommendations from friends.

‘I do find it hard to let people in, it’s hard to trust people but I am starting to let my walls down a bit, and I feel ready to start letting people in.’

Olivia says her family would be thrilled to see her meet someone on the show given she is yet to be in a relationship and this year turns the milestone age of 30

Unlike the majority of women her age, Olivia says she has never explored meeting a partner on dating apps and admits she finds it difficult to let her guard down.

While she received a negative response online during her 2023 appearance on the show, the actress says she has no regrets or reservations ahead of entering the villa for a second time.

And Olivia, who’s spent her adult life a single woman, won’t live in fear of a dreaded ex walking through the doors.

She added: ‘I don’t live with regrets, everything I want to do is in the moment and how I feel and that’s just how everything went.

‘I was there for eight weeks and met amazing people, amazing friends and I can’t believe I’m getting to do it all over again, it’s quite amazing really and I feel like meeting a husband would be the icing on the cake.

‘I don’t have any exes from the show either, so I don’t have anything to worry about.’