Love Island’s Whitney Adebayo has admitted that the intense racial abuse and trolling she received after appearing on KSI’s Netflix show earlier this year ‘troubled’ her mental health.
The reality star, 27, was one of a number of contestants living in a house together on the high-stakes reality competition show Inside, where they battled it out and competed in challenges for a £1 million prize.
However, the beauty was subjected to a barrage of shocking abuse which forced her to address the ‘evil, hatred, and pure racism’ in an impassioned Instagram post before temporarily stepping back from social media.
And now, in her first podcast appearance since the ordeal, Whitney opened up on how she dealt with the backlash and her shock in the way she was portrayed on the TV show – which was created by YouTube group the Sidemen, featuring KSI.
Speaking with her sister Lizzy on her What’s It Giving podcast, Whitney discussed the contrast in how she was portrayed on the Netflix show compared to her stint on ITV2’s Love Island, as well as her lack of knowledge at the Sidemen’s demographic.
She told how when she felt ‘so loved’ by audiences during her stint in the villa, in which she came runner-up with now ex-boyfriend Lochlan Nowaki, however, she feels that the Netflix show’s demographic was ‘different’, suggesting that the Sidemen were most notably followed by young boys.
Love Island’s Whitney Adebayo has admitted that the intense racial abuse and trolling she received after appearing on KSI’s Netflix show earlier this year ‘troubled’ her mental health
The reality star, 27, was one of a number of contestants living in a house together on the reality competition show Inside, where competed in challenges for a £1 million prize
After recalling how Love Island showed her most ‘wholesome part’s, while Inside edited scenes to produce ‘a show’, she shared: ‘The new audience didn’t know me. They’re probably thinking: “who’s this back girl laughing? Why is she laughing so much? She’s so mean!”
‘Even the first episode, it was already giving the gorilla emojis in the DMs… Mark Henry, Drogba, jigaboo [derogatory term for a black person], slave…
‘I just didn’t even know that this was a… obviously we know that racism is active and real, but we’re from Camden, and Camden Town is very diverse so even growing up we never really experienced it because everyone is very much like “you can be yourself and we embrace all”.
As her sister noted how Whitney could potentially be ‘hard to love and easy to hate’, Whitney then observed how it was easier to pick on the person that comes across as the most confident and loudest in the room because ‘they can take it.’
She then heartbreakingly added: ‘I can take it but damn! How much can one take?’
The TV personality then recalled that during her time on the show, she was constantly a shoulder to cry on and often ‘dried the tears’ of her fellow contestants as they confided in her about various issues, but noted how none of her touching moments were broadcast on TV.
Whitney said: ‘None of these things were shown. I literally had a genuinely nice, wholesome time in there so I was literally shocked at the edit. I’m not even gonna be the girl to be like “it’s a bad edit, it’s a bad edit!”, because everything you saw, I done, but it was definitely pulled out of context. I couldn’t believe it. ‘
However, she felt that the producer’s portrayal of her wasn’t ‘personal’ but they were just making good TV, noting: ‘In every good show, there’s a good guy, there’s the villain… there’s always a role to be played, everyone has a character to play for entertainment.
However, the beauty was subjected to a barrage of shocking abuse which forced her to address the ‘evil, hatred, and pure racism’ in an impassioned Instagram post
In her first podcast appearance since the ordeal, Whitney opened up on how she dealt with the backlash and her shock in the way she was portrayed on the TV show
![The show was created by YouTube group the Sidemen, featuring KSI [pictured]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/04/24/12/97639283-14642851-image-a-22_1745494091344.jpg)
The show was created by YouTube group the Sidemen, featuring KSI [pictured]
Speaking with her sister Lizzy on her What’s It Giving podcast, Whitney discussed the contrast in how she was portrayed on the Netflix show compared to her stint on ITV2 ‘s Love Island
‘So I guess my character… I mean she brought the views, she got it talking, but damn the mental was troubled!’
When asked how her mental health is now, Whitney told how it is good now but only thanks to her loved ones for puling her through her ordeal as she remarked: ‘Thank God for you lot because I would have been an absolute mess!’
During her time on the series, which aired in Match, Whitney played the role as the ‘spender’, often appearing reckless as she spent money from the team’s prize fund, which dwindled every time an item was purchased from the show’s tuck shop.
However, despite making great entertainment, her actions triggered several viewers and she was bombarded with racial comments and even death threats.
Addressing the backlash during an Instagram post last month, Whitney defiantly said: ‘I’d like to take the time and address something important after the airing of Inside on Netflix.
‘I was a contestant on the show, where the goal was to win a million pounds while navigating the challenge of saving and spending money. I was a “spender” by nature, which added some fun and drama to the show, but it’s important to remember that everything you saw was a part of the game, designed for entertainment.
‘I’ve received a mix of reactions—some positive, some negative. But what I’ve encountered more than anything is the reality of racism. I understand that being in the spotlight briny criticism, but what I’ve experienced the past few days goes beyond criticism.
Whitney observed how it was easier to pick on the person that comes across as the most confident in the room because ‘they can take it’, but added: ‘How much can one take?’
She then recalled that during her time on the show, she was constantly a shoulder to cry on for her co-stars, but noted how none of her touching moments were broadcast on TV
‘None of these things were shown. I literally had a genuinely nice, wholesome time in there so I was literally shocked at the edit’
When asked about her mental health, Whitney told how it is only good thanks to her loved ones for puling her through: ‘Thank God for you lot because I would have been an absolute mess!’
‘This evil, hatred and pure racism and should not be tolerated. The hateful messages, the death threats, and the unjust treatment I’ve received are not only hurtful, but they also serve as a reminder that racism is still very much embedded in British culture.’
She continued: ‘This isn’t just about a TV show; it’s about the way society can sometimes respond to women like me, women who may stand out or don’t fit a certain mold of being cute and mute.
‘For those of you who have supported me, thank you. Your love and encouragement keep me grounded. To those who have tried to tear me down, I want to remind you: your hate doesn’t define me. It only fuels my determination to grow and to be unapologetically myself.
‘I had the best time, however my journey has come to an end. Love me or hate me, either way I know you were entertained. You’re welcome x.’
Her comments were met with a plethora of support from fans, her Inside and Love Island co-stars, as well as then boyfriend Lochlan.
Whitney’s podcast appearance comes amid her recent heartbreak following her split with Love Island beau Lochlan last week.
The couple shocked fans when they announced that they have split after two years of dating.
The Love Island runners-up took to their respective Instagram Stories to reveal that they have called time on their romance.
In his post, Lochan penned: ‘Hey guys, unfortunately Whitney and I’s relationship has come to an end.
‘Thank you for all the love and support that you’ve show us through our journey, we’re forever grateful.’
Whitney’s podcast appearance comes amid her recent heartbreak following her split with Love Island beau Lochlan last week
The Love Island runners-up took to their respective Instagram Stories to reveal that they have called time on their romance (Lochan’s post is pictured)
Meanwhile, Whitney took to her own Stories to share the same statement as she confirmed their separation, before also taking a savage swipe at her ex as she insinuated it was him who called time on their relationship and admitted ‘I am broken’.
The couple rose to fame on the 2023 series of Love Island and went on to become a fan favourite couple, making it all the way to the final.
Yet revealing how it all fell apart, Whitney took to her social media with a candid voiceover video as she began: ‘Strange how you can wake up one day and decide that everything you once loved wasn’t enough anymore. Hey my name is Whitney, and today I decided to become her.
‘This year, April 4th was the day he stopped choosing us, they day he chose to stop choosing me. And just like that I found myself alone.’
Dispelling any cheating rumours she continued: ‘I wish I could tell you that there was someone else, something to make it easier to understand.
‘But the truth is maybe it was just one of those heartbreaking moments where it was right person but the wrong time and maybe that’s the only trusting reason I can hold onto.
They narrowly missed out on winning to Jess Harding and Sammy Root in the 2023 series and viewers were stunned that they had missed out on the £50,000 prize at the time
Whitney also took a savage swipe at her ex as she insinuated it was him who called time on their relationship and admitted ‘I am broken’
Sending a messaged to her future self she added: ‘I am so sorry but this journey will hurt, it will be unbearable, but you will make it through’
‘I’m strong, but for the first time in a long time I am broken. I thought I had everything figured out, the future seemed so certain. And now I am 27 standing at a cross roads, questioning everything I thought I knew.
‘So many memories, so many plans, so many I love you’s that had there last day and I just didn’t know.’
Sending a messaged to her future self she added: ‘I am so sorry but this journey will hurt, it will be unbearable, but you will make it through.
‘I can’t promise that this will be your last heartbreak, but I can promise it will lead you closer to the woman you are becoming.
‘So today I decided to start choosing us, I decided to start choosing me.’
