Austin Shepard Relapsed Whereas Filming ‘Love Island’ Spin-Off

“Love Island” star Austin Shepard is getting actual about his battle with dependancy. Throughout a podcast look, the 27-year-old opened up about relapsing whereas filming the present’s spin-off, “Past the Villa.”

Austin Shepard isn’t any stranger to the highlight, as he was additionally the focus throughout the newest season of “Love Island” after netizens referred to as him out for reportedly sharing offensive content material.

Shepard revealed that he was 11 days sober on the “Beforehand On” podcast by TMZ. The “Love Island” alum shared that earlier than reaching that time, he relapsed by utilizing opioids whereas filming season 2 of the present’s spin-off, “Past the Villa.”

“Nobody knew,” he shared. “I’m a reasonably manipulative, useful addict till it turns into so unmanageable—like the way it received. However I can bullsh-t for some time.”

Shepard likened himself to a “salesman,” including that he tends to “wave and fake all the things is OK.”

Elsewhere, throughout his look on the podcast, Shepard confirmed like to his co-stars, who seen the truth star’s demeanor had modified whereas filming “Past the Villa.”

“Charlie began reaching out within the final month and was like, ‘Bro what’s occurring?’” he stated. “I simply received fairly actual with him, simply telling him just about all the things. He’s been wishing me love, giving me love. Identical with TJ, Iris. They’ve been sending me love.”

Shepard additionally received actual concerning the difficulties he is confronted whereas managing his sobriety.

“I understand how this street goes,” he stated. “I’ve had loads of buddies who will not be right here right this moment which have sadly handed from it and it’s both demise or an extended lifetime of distress.”

“That was my second of readability, lastly,” he stated.

For Shepard, gaining readability was simply one of many issues that helped him cope with his battle. He additionally admitted to in search of skilled assist at one other level throughout his journey.

“There was one night time the place I used to be sitting there, I used to be simply going loopy,” he stated. “I hadn’t slept in 4 nights. I used to be very sick. Simply puking. It was horrible. I used to be like, ‘I have to go someplace, medically.’”

The power Shepard checked into gave him glorious care, he stated, including that the assist of his relations has helped strengthen him.

In line with a earlier report from The Blast, Shepard confronted backlash from the “Love Island” viewers in the summertime of 2025 after he reportedly shared offensive content material on his social media channels.

“I need to take a second to deal with my latest repost that has induced offense to a few of you,” he wrote on-line. “As you all know, I’ve a really dry humorousness, and I genuinely didn’t assume earlier than sharing that content material.”

Shepard had been beneath hearth all through his keep within the “Love Island” villa, as eagle-eyed social media sleuths referred to as the truth star out for his earlier posts earlier than becoming a member of the forged.

“I acknowledge that my alternative of content material didn’t resonate properly with everybody, and for that, I sincerely apologize,” Shepard shared. “I’m dedicated to studying from this expertise and to being extra aware sooner or later. Thanks to your understanding and for holding me accountable.”

Days earlier than his apology, Shepard made headlines after responding to a social media consumer who branded the Michigan alum a “racist bigot.”

“I’m going to provide this consideration just one time as a result of that is, like, loopy,” Shepard stated in response. “Are you f-cking dumb? Like, actually, are you dumb? Do you not assume?”