In a heart-wrenching episode of Celebs Go Dating, Love Island star Olivia Hawkins, 30, was left in floods of tears after a brutal rejection from Too Hot To Handle heartthrob Louis Russell, 23. What began as a promising connection during a romantic getaway in Ibiza quickly unraveled, leaving Olivia grappling with heartbreak and self-doubt.
The pair initially hit it off, their chemistry undeniable as they shared a passionate kiss under the Ibiza sun. However, the spark seemed to fizzle once they returned to reality. Olivia confided in the Celebs Go Dating agents that Louis had made “no consistent effort” to stay in touch, leaving her questioning his intentions. Determined to take a chance, she pushed past her fears and invited Louis to an Usher concert via text—a bold move that was met with crushing silence.
Relationship expert Paul C. Brunson offered Olivia a powerful analogy to help her navigate her feelings. “You’ve spent your life handing the pen to the men in your life, letting them write your story,” he said. “With Louis, you’re falling back into what’s familiar—unhealthy communication, confusion.” Paul identified this pattern as “repetition compulsion,” urging Olivia to take control and break the cycle by setting clear boundaries and prioritizing her own needs. His words struck a chord, reassuring her that she’s on the path to a “beautiful, loving relationship” if she can let go of old habits.
The weight of Paul’s advice hit Olivia hard. Fighting back tears, she shared, “The more I tell myself I’m worthy and deserve true love, the harder it is to accept being treated like this.” Her emotions spilled over as she sobbed, “It’s so triggering for me… I promised myself I wouldn’t cry again.” Reflecting on her journey, she admitted, “I think I’ve just lost confidence, and I’m trying to rebuild it.” Paul offered gentle encouragement, reminding her that rebuilding confidence is exactly why she’s on the show.
In an attempt to move forward, the agents arranged a new blind date for Olivia. However, her attention unexpectedly shifted to co-star Sam Prince, who confessed to feeling a stronger “chemistry” with her than with his own date. The potential for a new connection added an intriguing twist to Olivia’s journey, hinting at more drama to come.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Olivia opened up about her rollercoaster experience with Louis. “We definitely take viewers on a journey with a lot of ups and downs,” she said. She noted that filming in Ibiza, much like her Love Island days, accelerated their connection. “Spending so much time together fast-forwards everything,” she explained. When asked about the agents’ reactions to her chemistry with Louis, Olivia teased with a cheeky grin, “I’m known to be quite cheeky—I did warn them I’d be hard work!”