Toni Laites has revealed she has been struggling to adjust to life after Love Isaland admitting the whole experience has been ‘surreal’ and it ‘hasn’t been easy.’
The American star, 24, who made history as the first U.S. contestant to win the UK version of the dating series, opened up to her followers in an emotional social media video about the challenges she’s faced in recent months.
Taking to her TikTok, Toni told fans: ‘I’ve been trying all day to film a get ready with me or a certain story time, but I thought it would be better if I came on here and told you the guys the truth about the last couple of months’.
‘I never thought that going to work as a waitress in Vegas on a random Monday afternoon would put me on one of the UKs biggest reality TV shows, let alone winning as the first American.
‘I am so grateful that you guys have put in the position that I am, but it hasn’t been easy.’
Toni went on to admit that she has been living in temporary accommodation since the show ended saying: ‘I’ve been sleeping on couches, and I think this is my seventh Airbnb at this point.
Love Islander Toni Laites has revealed she has been struggling to adjust to life after the show, admitting the whole experience has been ‘surreal’ and not easy
The American star, 24, who made history as the first U.S. contestant to win the UK version of the dating series, opened up to her followers in an emotional social media video
‘Living out of suitcases is hard and I haven’t had a visa, so I haven’t been able to work or go live, or produce the content that you guys want to see every day but I’m trying’.
Despite her difficulties, the reality favourite thanked her followers for sticking by her.
She continued: ‘I can’t thank you all enough for loving and supporting me every step of the way.
‘I’m trying to get back to that loveable character that you guys fell in love with on your screens for eight weeks.’
She went on: ‘I just haven’t been that person so please be patient with me. I take so much pride in the way that I’m perceived and I love meeting you as I walk down the street and when you scream my name out of your car windows.
Toni then admitted that fame has been overwhelming at times saying: ‘It’s just all so surreal to me. Waitresses don’t usually get to walk down red carpets and be in rooms full of celebrities they’ve only read about online.
Reflecting on her sudden rise, she added: ‘I came into the show with only 3,000 followers and no TikTok, so for almost a million of you to be following me at this point is crazy.
‘I’m doing everything I can. Please bear with me. It’s hard out here for a pimp. I love you guys so much. Thank you thank you thank you.’
She told them about the challenges she’s faced in recent months of having to live in temporary accommodation, in a suitcase and admitted everything had become ‘surreal’ and ‘hard’
The reality favourite thanked her followers for sticking by her and pleaded with them to be patient while she tried to re-buiild herself back to the girl they saw on screens
She admitted that going form 3,000 followers to nearly a million was something she was trying to adjust to and reassured fans that she was doing ‘everything I can’
Many of her former Love Island family took to the comment section, including other famous faces including Australian Jessie Wynter who also dealt with the big move and change
Her fellow Love Islanders flocked to the comment section writing: ‘You got this girlie ❤️ keep going! X’ … ‘Love youuu tone xxx’ … ‘Love you babyyy’ and ‘you are so loved mama xx’
Jessie Wynter who flew into the winter villa from Australia in 2023 and struck up a relationship with Framer Will offered her support saying: ‘Coming off a tv show in another country is a whirlwind. Take all the time you need, sending you love ❤️❤’
Pop sensations Jedward also shared their love writing: ‘Big Love to you you’ve got loads of different sides don’t put pressure on yourself to rise to the occasion all the time xxx’
Whilst boyfriend Cach, also 24, didn’t comment, he did repost Toni’s heartbreaking video.
The post comes after the Daily Mail reported last month that she has ‘already been lined up for spin-off show after wowing ITV bosses’ and becoming a fan favourite with viewers.
A source told The Sun at the time: ‘It’s super early days as she’s only just left the villa, but there’s talk of Toni being lined up for a spin-off based around her life in Vegas as a cabana girl.
‘ITV bosses love the energy that Toni brings to the table and her one-liners. She’s got a bright future ahead of her on TV. She’ll go into talks about future plans this week.’
Daily Mail contacted ITV for comment at the time.
During her time on this year’s show Toni struck up a romance with Cach, who is from East London.
Earlier this year, Toni from Connecticut was crowned winner of the twelfth series of the dating show alongside her man, Cach Mirjah Mercer, also 24 (both pictured in August)
It seems the pair – who regularly post and comment on each other’s socials – are set on making their relationship work, as Toni confirmed last month that she plans to stay in the UK and hopes to ‘find somewhere to live’.
The pair who won a £50,000 cash prize revealed how they plan to spend their money with Toni candidly admitting: ‘I need to pay off my student loans’.
She continued: ‘I want to invest it. I don’t want to go on some crazy shopping spree.’
Cach, a dancer from London, agreed with her, adding: ‘Cost of living crisis, I’ll save it!’
