Contestant Ruchee Gurung revealed what was different this time around. <\/p>
Love is in the air, and Love Island<\/a> is round the corner. The dating show will make a comeback next week and ITV has begun confirming the identity of the fresh batch of singletons.<\/p>\n Among them is 24-year-old beautician from Sutton Ruchee Gurung, who was the first contestant to be confirmed this year.<\/p>\n But, as Ruchee herself has revealed, her debut could\u2019ve happened much earlier had she not turned ITV<\/a> down.<\/p>\n Speaking to RadioTimes.com<\/a> and other press, Ruchee said that she was first scouted for the show through Instagram \u201ca couple of years ago\u201d.<\/p> \u201cI was scouted through Instagram. Actually, they reached out to me a couple years ago as well, like, I think it was 2021,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it was the winter one, they reached out to me, and at the time, I was actually kind of seeing someone and I was getting to know him and I really liked him. I also felt like I was really young.\u201d<\/p>\n She added: \u201cI just didn\u2019t feel comfortable. Or, like, I just didn\u2019t think it was the right time. Although my friends were all like, \u2018Are you crazy? Like, you\u2019re not gonna go on it because you\u2019re getting to know this guy?\u2019 But I just didn\u2019t feel like it was the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ruchee went on to explain how, when she was scouted this time around, she was much more prepared for it.<\/p>\n \u201cThey reached out to me again, a couple months ago, and then I was like, \u2018You know what, this is a sign.\u2019 Second time. I\u2019m single. I\u2019m grown. Like, I\u2019m 24,\u201d she said, before continuing: \u201cI\u2019ve got my s**t together. So let me just try it and like, you know, apply for it. So yeah, I did it and now I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>