Megan Barton Hanson admits she was painted as ‘the villain’ on Love Island due to her fiery romance with Wes Nelson – after revealing the reason she refused to return for All Stars

Megan Barton Hanson has revealed she felt she was painted as ‘the villain’ when she was on Love Island, after her fiery romance with Wes Nelson.

The reality star, 30, appeared on the ITV2 show back in 2018, and in a new interview admitted that early on she was ‘pigeonholed as a maneater’ and it’s because of this that she has never watched her series back.

Speaking on the newest episode of OnlyFans’ OFTV docuseries In Real Life, Megan said: ‘I was definitely pigeonholed into being the maneater, the ex-stripper, the crazy one… but that’s absolutely not me!’ 

Megan added that she has ‘never watched [her time on the show] back fully, purely because I know I was the villain.’

While Megan says she ‘had an amazing summer’ on the show, she didn’t want to look back and see how she was made to fit a certain mould.

She added: ‘I feel like I was definitely pigeonholed into being the maneater, the ex-stripper, the crazy one… But that’s absolutely not me! I like to get what I want, but I can equally be a girl’s girl.’ 

Megan Barton Hanson has revealed she felt she was painted as ‘the villain’ when she was on Love Island, after her fiery romance with Wes Nelson

The reality star appeared on the ITV2 show back in 2018, and in a new interview admitted that early on she was ‘pigeonholed as a maneater’

Megan did enjoy a romance with Eyal Booker, but she caused a huge stir when she chose to couple up with Wes Nelson, despite his history with her pal Laura Anderson.

The pair did go onto make things official, but split just five months later.

In Real Life also saw Megan enjoy white water rafting while being interviewed by host Casey Boonstra.

Having become an advocate for woman and sexual empowerment, Megan went onto share what her Love Island experience, and expression of sexuality on the show, has meant to her.

She said: ‘I feel like when I was growing up, there weren’t many women who spoke about pleasure or sex… [and] if your friends [were] quite prudish, or you didn’t have that [kind of] relationship with your parents, then who would [you] ask? 

‘I love being that voice for people, and I think because I was so open about it on Love Island, it opened the gateway for people to come to me and ask me for advice.’  

‘I’ve always been a sexual person, but back when I was growing up, it wasn’t spoken about that women actually enjoy sex… 

‘Women are always portrayed as a mum, or a girlfriend, or a wife and I think it’s about time that women start putting themselves first – saying that this is me, this is what I want in a partner, and unless you’re bringing something to the table, move on!’

Megan did enjoy a romance with Eyal Booker, but she caused a huge stir when she chose to couple up with Wes. They went onto split five months after leaving the villa

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the former islander revealed: ‘There’s not one [person on the show] I would f***. That’s why I’m not there’

Confiding in her decision to come out as bisexual, Megan shares that she initially wanted to ‘keep that close to my chest before I [came] off Love Island – but then after I thought, people will judge me anyway – to hell with it!’

The star then shared the important of maintaining her mental health, saying: ‘Mental health is such a journey. 

‘[If] it’s the same as sex, it’s the most natural thing – and these things are all so important to our human existence – why aren’t we speaking about it?’

Megan previously ruled out a return to the Love Island villa for spin-off All Stars.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the former islander revealed: ‘There’s not one [person on the show] I would f***. That’s why I’m not there.’

Speaking on the All Stars 2025 cast, she continued: ‘The girl line-up is unreal, but sorry, the male side…what has happened?’

The line-up in question features Maura Higgins’ ex, a series three finalist couple, and a former show winner.

For Megan however, the only man who could have tempted her back would have been series five’s Ovie Soko.

‘I messaged him when they asked me to do the last one and he said ‘I’m not doing it’ so I pulled out,’ she revealed.

While the male lineup has not sparked her interest, Megan was quick to say she is ‘so happy there are so many hot girls in there’ this year.

And while Love Island might be firmly off the table, Megan remains as bold as ever about her goals for the year ahead.

‘Just big d**** and lots of money!’ she declared, when asked what she is manifesting for 2025.