LOOKING through the picture-perfect Instagram profiles of Love Island stars Jessy Potts and Lucinda Strafford, you would think the two were the best of pals.
But now, after All Stars bombshell launched a devastating attack on her rival, The Sun can reveal the truth behind their fractured friendship – and it is eerily similar to brutal fallout with
Jessy Potts and Lucinda Strafford were the best of pals before appearing on Love Island All StarsCredit: Instagram
Bombshell Jessy launched an attack on Lucinda, which sent fans reelingCredit: ITV
But the truth behind their fractured friendship can be revealed for the first timeCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Before their big bust up, the pair shared umpteen blissful selfies on their pages from trips to Australia and Los Angeles, with captions gushing over their “best friend”.
It left viewers scratching their heads when had a go at using a “” and slamming how she’d handled situations on the show.
But now the truth behind their fractured friendship can be revealed for the first time – and it’s the exact same story behind Lucinda and ’s too.
On Sunday’s episode, Lucinda told how she and Jessy were both handled by the same agency – Neon Management, who looks after – so went on a brand trip together.
She said on air: “I took her to Australia because she just signed with my management and then cut a long story short, when I came back I just didn’t speak to Jessy.”
Now The Sun can reveal what happened on that trip, which was run by global clothing brand Peppermayo.
An insider said: “Lucinda travels the world , and is constantly on trips with them.
“She usually invites another Islander or influencer to go with her but then when the ‘plus one’ gets on the trip they realise it’s not quite what they signed up for.
“That’s exactly what happened with Jessy after Oz then Samie after Tulum in March last year, plus again with US star Andreina after in September.
“It all goes back to Lucinda’s mysterious friendship with Peppermayo’s owner.
“The girls get on the trip and realise it’s less of a group brand trip and more of an awkward third wheel.”
Lucinda has been on more than eight luxurious getaways with the Australia-based fashion brand owned by billionaire Huayi Huang and his partner, Wright.
But while most other brand trips feature a hoard of other , Peppermayo’s often seem to just be Lucinda and Huayi.
In March last year the two were spotted club in , which at first glance looked like a lover’s tiff on holiday.
After Games, Lucinda’s partner said she had “found someone” who is happy for her to go on shows despite being in a , so the questions swirling around her and Huayi only heightened.
Those close to Lucinda have said the whole thing has been blown out of proportion, saying: “Yes, she does go on trips with Huayi, and he does spoil her.
The two pals went on a brand trip together with clothing brand Peppermayo, which led to their fractured friendshipCredit: Instagram
Lucinda has had a few friendship fallouts once her ‘plus ones’ realise it’s ‘more of an awkward third wheel than a brand trip’Credit: PUBLISHEDDRAFT
Lucinda had that same issue with Samie Elishi after a brand trip to Tulum in March last yearCredit: Instagram
The Love Islander also fell out with US star Andreina Santos after a trip to Hawaii in SeptemberCredit: Instagram
“He’s a very savvy businessman and it’s because he knows it’s good for the brand to get people talking.
“He has grown very close to Lucinda, but they insist it is not in a romantic way.”
‘Felt like a spare part’
However, my insider insists the connection between Huayi and Lucinda is at the heart of her bust-ups with many Island girls.
They say: “Whilst it was all smiles in front of the camera and Jessy was hugely grateful to be there and experience such an amazing trip, there were times when she felt like a spare part.
“It was the same story for Samie after Tulum and there’s whispers that Andreina and Lucinda are also no longer close following Hawaii.
“They all feel like Lucinda invited them along to paint the picture that the holiday was a brand trip whereas actually they were often left alone whilst Lucinda spent time with Huayi.”
In the last year, Lucinda’s been to Bali, and with Peppermayo, to name a few.
Huayi and his business partner Georgia, who both try to stay away from the limelight, have not commented on the rumoured romance.
Despite Jessy’s haranguing and Belle’s verbal onslaught against Lucinda, the series seven beauty seems to be coming out on top.
In the last week viewers have rallied behind the bombshell and are now tipping her to win.
The insider added, wryly: “If Lucinda returns to her playbook, we’ll see her on a Peppermayo brand trip with one of this year’s All Stars on her arm very soon – and it probably won’t be Sean Stone.”
The connection between billionaire Huayi Huang and Lucinda is at the heart of her bust-ups, an insider insistsCredit: Instagram
While most social media brand trips feature a hoard of other influencers, Peppermayo’s often seem to just be Lucinda and HuayiCredit: TikTok
The two were even spotted having a blazing row at a beach club in Mexico in March last year
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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