Conor McGregor sent the Miami Heat mascot to the hospital in a bizarre promotional shoot gone wrong. The former UFC champion made an appearance at the NBA Finals in Miami where the Heat took on the Denver Nuggets. During the third-quarter stoppage, McGregor went head-to-head with the Heat mascot to promote his new product, a pain relief spray. The footage saw the fighter punch the mascot, before hitting him again. McGregor then used the heat spray on Bernie the mascot while he was knocked out on the floor, and who didn't get up immediately. The man behind the mascot was taken to a nearby hospital, according to The Athletic. The Heat said on Saturday (10 June) that the mascot received pain relief and rested at home. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The footage soon went viral across social media, with many concerned for the man's well-being. "I don't see the humor in this at all," one Twitter user wrote. "Looked like assault to me." Another added: "I really hope that the performer is okay, there’s no real way to brace your neck in costumes like that. Wouldn’t be shocked if they had a concussion." Meanwhile, one sports fan wrote: "Adding insult to injury, this is more entertaining than the actual NBA finals." Dana White has since responded to the incident, saying: "What’s up with mascots wanting to get punched in the face by professional fighters? What do you expect? "What are those mascot things made out of? Unless you’re like the Golden Knights mascot... I’m assuming it’s a metal helmet... I wouldn’t have professional fighters punch me in the face if I was a mascot." He added: "It doesn’t seem like the brightest thing in the world." McGregor hasn't fought professionally since July 2021, after suffering a leg injury to Dustin Poirier. His last fighting victory came in January 2020. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

YouTuber MrBeast has left people feeling sorry for a bunch of kids who thought they would win big money in one of his challenges. MrBeast, whose real name is James Steven Donaldson, is well known for his generous gestures, often posting about them on his social media. In the past, the YouTuber has given out amazing prizes like cash and cars, so when he and fellow creator, James Seo, approached two kids in a store and asked them to choose between “$1 dollar or [a] mystery gift” they happily chose the latter. The TikTok clip has been viewed over 44 million times and showed two boys ripping into the wrapped “mystery gift” box. As they opened the box, they found another smaller box inside and continued to tear them open as they got progressively smaller. As they got to the smallest box, one of the boys said: “It’s going to be like a key or something.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter @mrbeast Replying to @Blank please collab @James Seo #mrbeastpls #mystery #mysterybox But, as they unwrapped it they found a $1 dollar bill in a wooden box, meaning the whole unwrapping saga was completely pointless and cruel. While MrBeast himself remained deadpan the entire time as the kids rushed to unwrap the mystery prize, some people have been left feeling sorry for the kids while others found the whole thing amusing. One person commented: “This was so evil... would have just taken the $1 without the stress.” Another said: “The one time I actually wanna see mr beast give something good away he doesn’t.” “Bro really thought he was like get like $10,000,” another commented. Someone else said: “I genuinely laughed out loud. My favorite video ever made by @MrBeast by far.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

TikTok is a breeding ground for the next big thing. What was once predominantly a Gen Z dance app has since evolved into a catalogue of lifestyle habits repackaged under quirky names. Single? You’re ‘dating yourself.’ Attend the gym? You’re a ‘health girlie.’ Organised and minimal? You’re living the ‘Clean Girl Aesthetic’. With over a billion views under the hashtag, the Clean Girl Aesthetic has dominated the app for some time now – and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. It has since adopted other areas of life such as health and mindfulness. So, what is it? For the blissfully unaware, the Clean Girl is a TikTok trend in which everything about someone’s life appears minimal and effortlessly chic. It is portrayed as being low maintenance. A ‘Day in the Life’ generally starts with an early alarm, followed by a smoothie and minimal makeup for a dewy 'no make-up' glow. The Clean Girl Aesthetic has since welcomed Pilates under its wing, often finished with a dash of bedtime journaling for good measure. @mirellagir ???♀️ #morningvlog #morningroutine #selfcare #thatgirlaesthetic #pilates #cleangirlaesthetic #aestheticroutine Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter While the lifestyle trend is proving popular across social media, some have argued that it isn’t as effortless as what meets the eye. Critics claim it actually takes more time, effort and money with five minute glazed ‘makeup-less’ looks being tied to £500 treatments. The trend isn’t shy of controversy either, being credited to mostly white influencers. Some have highlighted that aspects of the aesthetic (specifically the ‘beauty’ tutorials) have roots in other cultures. That said, it’s always important to understand the origin of trends across TikTok and give credit where due. The trend has since had a face-off with ‘Dirty Girl Aesthetic’, with Julia Fox declaring on EmRata’s High Low podcast: "Clean Girl Aesthetic is out." The model added: "It’s about, Dirty Girl." She went on to elaborate in a candid clip uploaded to her page, raising concerns about the said ‘rules’ of TikTok trends. "Just so you guys know, ageing is fully in. Like, fully. Dirty girl. Ugly. Not wearing clothes that fit your body type. Just fully wearing everything you want," she told her followers. @juliafox Ooooo I know this is gonna make the broke boys mad #OLDISIN Now, if we strip it back to basics, remove the label and the aesthetically pleasing TikToks, the ‘beauty ideals’ and bouji products, we’re left with a handful of seemingly unproblematic healthy habits. But, are they really effective as TikTok hypes them up to be – or are they merely a part of yet another internet fad? I spent the last month finding out. Now, I pride myself on being a morning person so 5am starts can't be that challenging, right? Wrong. The 5am club is a simple concept to understand – but much more difficult to carry out. You essentially rise at the ungodly hour in the name of productivity. During your time of solitude, you complete house chores, read, grab some breakfast and journal before starting the working day. Days 1-3 felt like a novelty and were filled with optimism and drive: journalling away, whipping up smoothies and taking long, hot showers. Then came along days 3-5 and my body was crying out for those additional two extra hours in bed. The 'snooze alarm' was being abused – and by day 7, I officially called it a day. I have full respect for the 5am rise and shiners, and admire that it's some people's bag – but it's a solid no from me. I ended up bored and restless. Not to mention, the constant reminder I could do all of these things at the end of the day with the same level of energy. Sadly, the first week of journalling my feelings, thoughts and emotions were dedicated to bitching about how tired I was from the dreaded iPhone alarm. But, once the two hours sleep were added back into my routine, we were onto a winner. It soon transformed into a mini mental health journey, allowing me to really gauge certain triggers and delve into feelings a lot deeper. One of the most surprising and unexpected finds for me was connecting the dots between sleeping and eating habits, prompting me to experiment with foods that perhaps weren't giving me the best time. It also allowed me to set my intentions for the day and helped me to stay on track with different areas of life, including fitness. Being the forgetful – and sometimes erratic – person I am, it really helped me slow down, unwind and actually remind me to follow through my my 'to do' lists. This brings me to Pilates: The latest fitness trend taking social media by storm – thanks to the likes of Hailey Bieber, Lori Harvey and Kourtney Kardashian. Even Harry Styles has been spotted giving the Reformer machine a go. You'll soon be humbled by what appears slow, effortless movements – as I learnt at The Health Lab. "Celebrity fitness secrets used to be kept under lock and key but now the more you share the bigger your community," Faye Bennett, Health Lab's studio manager and instructor told Indy100. "Pilates does come with a certain aesthetic as it is commonly very clean movements which appeal to the eye (disclaimer: it’s not always like that!)." "It is a sustainable style of fitness that you can ultimately do every day with no harm to joints. It’s low impact and the results are truly visible," Faye continues. "The short answer is, it works." Truth is, Pilates is far from a new concept and has been practiced since the 1920s. German-born Joseph Pilates worked as a circus performer, boxer and self-defence instructor in England in his early years, before serving as an orderly in an Isle of Man hospital where he helped patients unable to walk. He did so by attaching bed springs to hospital beds, later birthing the famous apparatus seen in most Pilates studios today. "I invented all these machines... it resists your movements in just the right way so those inner muscles really have to work against it. That way you can concentrate on movement. You must always do it slowly and smoothly. Then your whole body is in it," he famously once explained. Complete with 10 Reformer machines in an aesthetically-pleasing studio in the heart of Manchester, the Health Lab may look like an Instagrammer's playground – but it's much more than pretty pictures. You will put in work, through low-intensity movements that will leave you aching in places you didn't even think possible. Hand-in-hand with incredible instructors, experts and a passion for Pilates, I soon learnt there was much more to the phenomenon that meets the eye. Being a loyal high-intensity exerciser over the years, I initially couldn't wrap my head around how subtle slow-paced movements could make a difference to my body. I couldn't have been any more wrong. After a month of training 3-4 times a week, I noticed improvements in my posture, strength and flexibility. It also had a surprising effect on my mental health– especially when it comes to anxiety – as it really taught me to prioritise and focus on breathing techniques. "There’s an age old saying that 'you’re only as old as your spine,'" Faye says. "Pilates is both restorative and strengthening. It improves your posture and alignment so that when you do work out you can access those deep layers of muscle in charge of building strength from the inside out." Faye explains that the leaner muscles become, the faster the metabolism and protected joints become. "This means you will be less prone to injuries and generally feel more ease as you move. This comes from increased flexibility and mobility. We focus an awful lot on the core in pilates which gives you the ability to hold yourself taller, which takes pressure away from your spine and releases tension enabling a strong healthy spine. A healthy spine makes you feel younger, more agile and stronger." While Reformer Pilates can initially look and feel daunting, sessions are guided by well-informed instructors who are on hand to offer help and modifications suited to everyone's individual needs. It's pretty easy to grasp after just one session. "Just know, if you are finding that pilates burn or feeling a little bit wobbly, the rest of the class is too so you are never alone no matter what your experience level is," Faye adds. While my Clean Girl month failed in some areas (a girl loves her sleep), Pilates and journalling are two new positive additions I'll be taking forward with me. They've provided both mental and physical benefits, by adding routine, clarity and a clearer, more settled mindset overall. Maybe TikTok is onto something, after all. To find out more information about The Health Lab classes, click here. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A man has been filmed chilling in the overhead storage compartment of a plane during a flight. The footage was captured and shared on TikTok and shows a confused looking man getting out of the zone usually allocated for bags not humans and joining his friends. The caption reads: "One minute you're at a club in Ibiza... the next you wake up in the Ryan Air overhead carriage. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter @domdolla Lads lads lads #stagdo @Ryanair In the comments the passenger who witnessed the scene added: "40 dudes at the back of the plane were having a TIME… they pushed their mate in there as the plane landed." People in the comments found the whole ordeal hilarious. "I need to know everything about this story immediately," one commented. "Look I'm not saying that I get it, but like, I get it," another viewer said. And the story even got Jedward's attention. They took the platform and commented "What a moment to see," alongside a laughing crying emoji. This story is the very definition of lads on tour. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Social media is the best way for celebrities to connect with their fans and engage with their community. And so with TikTok being the popular platform, it's no surprise we're seeing A-listers popping up on our For You page. From participating trends, showing their daily routine, to collaborating with influencers, posting content regularly on their profiles enables us to see stars in a more personal way. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Here are some celebrities that everyone should follow on TikTok. Maisie Williams We all know Maisie Williams as Arya Stark from Games of Thrones but the 26-year-old actor made a more low key appearance on TikTok, joining the platform with an un-official and unverified account @lil.hustla which now has 713,000 followers. Some of her entertaining videos include recreating scenes from Twilight with her friends, to doing TikTok transitions and trying out filters, Maisie knows how to have fun online. @lil.hustla excerpt from the greatest love story ever told. @laurelmarsden ? #twighlight #edwardcullen #bellaswan #fyp #love #zxycba #foryou "I love that you’re not verified and you are just normal like the rest of us. But with more money, probably," one fan commented one of her videos. She also may pop on your feed as she also has a film podcast called "Frank Film Club," with Hannah Williams, Lowri Roberts, described as "The club for lovers and makers of film," and clips of this are shared on TikTok. Elle Fanning Another celeb who joined TikTok under the radar is actor Elle Fanning, with the username @user6754189318472. From her profile, it's clear she loves an interactive filter and duetting influencers, creating parody versions of the original video. A fan wrote on one of Fanning's video's: "This account is so strange but I am here for it." Though Fanning's secret TikTok was revealed when she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in January last year to promote second season of her historical comedy show The Great. @user6754189318472 #duet with @nmillz1 TWINS Jimmy asked Elle the TikTok account @/user6754189318472 is really her. “I confirm that is me,” she said. “I think in the first lockdown, right when everything started, TikTok so exploded. And I was with my friend and he was like, ‘You should make one. Let’s see what happens. Just do it. Don’t put a profile picture. Don’t change the name. Let’s see. "I posted and it got a lot of followers. TikTok then DM’ed me on my Instagram and was like, ‘You surpassed this certain number.’ Like, I was just doing it as a joke! I post when I want, but it’s silly. It’s like a little secret, not-so-secret now.” Stanley Tucci If you haven't been on TucciTok, then where the heck have you been? It's an undeniable fact that Stanley Tucci is an international treasure, and his TikTok presence, with 1.4m followers only solidifies this status. Acting isn't the only area Tucci excels in as the 62-year-old has various cooking videos ranging from risotto, a simple B.L.T., to pasta as breakfast leftovers, as well as taking us along on his adventures in Italy and trip to the UK, (the former for his CNN cooking show Searching for Italy and the latter for his book Taste). @stanley.tucci T bone and Risotto for Jenn’s birthday ?? "Stanley Tucci cooking is my comfort tiktok," a fan commented under one of his videos. Another said: "I want to have dinner at Stanley's house," while someone else added: "Love when Stanley pops up on my feed." Looks like we're all on the Tucci train. Jonas Brothers *(both collectively and individually) A lot of us Gen Z lot grew up watching and listening to the Jonas Brothers on Disney Channel, and they continue to entertain with new music along with a lively TikTok presence. From the trio collaborating to TikTok influencers such as Max Belegde, George Clarke, Jake Shane and Brookie and Jessie, they clearly have their finger on the pulse when it comes to what and who is popular on the platform. @brookieandjessie jonas siblings❤️ @Jonas Brothers But the three brothers also post on the individual profiles - with Joe having fun with filters, and popular sounds, doing the Guinness Challenge with occasional cameos from his wife and Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner. Nick uses his profile to share skits with his brothers, videos of him with his wife and The Matrix Resurrections actor Priyanka Chopra and as a Type 1 diabetic he also posted an important video on the different signs someone has Type 1 diabetes. Kevin also share some brotherly skits too, and is partial to a fun filter, and cracks jokes and there's also some cute content of him with his kids. Jade Thirlwall @jadethirlwall Wow is jade ok? i’m rlly worried about jade from little mix. While all of us are gutted about Little Mix are taking a hiatus, we'll no doubt enjoy seeing Leigh-Anne, Jade and Perrie's future endeavors. Until then, Jade has been keeping us (her 2.1m followers) fed with some hilarious TikTok content, from recreating her iconic award show moment, to doing dance routines with her boyfriend Jordan Stephens, to recreating a scene from The Little Mermaid. One person wrote: "Describe Jade Thirlwall in one word: I’ll go first - iconic." "Typical jade very funny and loveable love ya," another person said. Someone else added: "Would love to be bestfriends Jade." Lizzo @lizzo Replying to @billboard we literally had 50 versions of this damn song i thought we’d never finish it ? BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!!! Her song 'About Damn Time' took TikTok by storm so it's no surprise that Lizzo is also a favourite on the platform. With 26.9m followers, the singer makes us feel like we're all friends with her body confidence videos, get ready with me videos, eating vlogs and having the time of her life with her friends (most recently dancing to the 'One Margarita' song) as well as showing off her latest outfits from her brand Yitty. One person said: "When I grow up I wanna be LIZZO." "LIZZO IS JUST SO REAL," another person said. Someone else added: "This women brings so much strength and positivity into the world." "You are the absolute BEST," a fourth person commented. Noah Schnapp @noahschnapp Some more BTS Noah Schnapp rose to fame with his role as Will Byers in the Netflix hit series Stranger Things but is also universally loved for his online presence too. In TikTok videos to his 32.8m followers, he's shared some behind the scenes from the Stranger Things set, TikTok challenges, and used his platform to come out as gay earlier this year. "When I finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years and all they said was 'we know,'" he wrote in the video. ""I guess I'm more similar to Will [Byers] than I thought," he added in the caption in reference to his statement about his Stranger Things character also being gay. As well as this, Schnapp was also in some TikTok drama with Doja Cat after he exposed her for sliding into his DMs, asking to be set up with his Stranger Things co-star Joseph Quinn, who plays Eddie Munson, though the pair later apologised to each other. Selena Gomez @selenagomez Morning routine before make up! @Rare Beauty From Disney star to beloved singer, actor, activist and business woman, Selena Gomez is a big hit on TikTok with over 58.3m followers. A lot of the 30-year-old's content features makeup looks from her Rare Beauty line as she updates her followers on the latest products, while she also likes to film a get ready (and unready) with me routine, and loves a lip dub to a trending sound. Some of her videos also feature her celeb pals such as Cara Delevingne, Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham as well as her Only Murderers in the Building co-stars Martin Short, and Steven Martin - with one clip also including Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd. She also has videos on celebrating her Hispanic heritage and her documentary My Mind & Me. Gordon Ramsay @gordonramsayofficial #duet with @andyslife247 Treat your #meat with respect !!! How many times do I need to say it !! #ramsayreacts #steak #tiktokcooks Gordon Ramsay is known for his fiery temper, seeking perfection when it comes to cooking food, and now the famous chef is doing the exact same on TikTok. He often duets videos of people's cooking from recipes such as stuffed pickles, mini lasagna, and fried pizza where he gives a running commentary of this thoughts, and if he's not a fan he certainly makes it known. The 56-year-old also posts to his 37.6m followers cooking tutorials of his own such as a hearty chip butty, Wagyu burger with cheese, sticky toffee pancakes. Lewis Capaldi @lewiscapaldi 3 for 3 Lewis Capaldi is known for his incredible voice but also for his sense of humour which is clear to see from his TikTok videos. The Glaswegian has 7.8m followers on the platform where he has a knack for going viral, most recently for trying out the popularred flags filter, to his reaction of getting recognised for his TikTok rather than his music, and his entertaining ways of promoting his new album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent. He has also shared some heartwarming videos such as a crowd at his Chicago show continue to sing when he couldn't because of his tourette's. One person wrote: "Lewis Capaldi is my spirit animal." "He makes me laugh so much," another person said. Someone else added: "King of TikTok." Niall Horan @niallhoran Only 3 days to go ! #THESHOW Niall Horan is also a popular celeb on TikTok, after all he was in One Direction and has a successful solo career. With 5.8m followers, the Irishman has most recently been teasing his new album The Show to his followers, with little snippets of songs, and even his very own TikTok filter and is also a fan of lip synching to popular sounds. Some of his other videos includes ranking his songs, reacting to fan covers, showing behind the scenes as a coach on The Voice! as well as cameos from showbiz pal Lewis Capaldi, TikToker Francis Bourgeois and even US president Joe Biden. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A woman has explained how she got the same tattoo as her son to prove a point. Writing on Reddit, the woman explained she didn't like tattoos but chose to get one as a strange parenting exercise. She wrote: "My son (19) has wanted a tattoo since he was little so I told him that was okay but to really consider whatever he got and have it be at least a little meaningful and not just do it to be 'cool'. "I told him if he got something and it had no special meaning I would get the exact same one." "I guess he thought it was an empty threat because he got a tribal armband tattoo," she continued. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter She then explained she got the same one leading her son to no longer want to "show his off" and feel cross with her. In the comments, people took her son's side. One wrote: "Getting a copy of the tattoo of your son and saying tattoos have to be meaningful/well thought about doesn’t really match. "The only thing you showed him is that you’re an asshole AND you don’t stand behind your ideals." Another said: "I'd rather have a meaningless tattoo that I like the look of than have a tattoo that permanently shows what a petty and toxic person I can be." And a third wrote: "So now you're an adult with a spite tattoo. You really owned your son with that move!" Awkward. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The world's most surreal news broke last night. Boris Johnson has finally stepped down as a Tory MP. The former PM saw the upcoming report by the Commons Privileges Committee investigating if he misled the Commons over Downing Street lockdown parties and promptly resigned, claiming he was "forced out of Parliament" over Partygate. He called the committee, which is concluding its report on Monday, a "kangaroo court" whose purpose "has been to find me guilty, regardless of the facts". But the committee said it had "followed the procedures and the mandate". Johnson resigning means there will now be a by-election in his constituency and its all just creating a bit of a palava. Never mind all that, though. What about the memes? Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Here's how people reacted: The Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: "Good riddance." And SNP deputy Westminster leader Mhairi Black said Johnson "jumped before he was pushed", adding "no-one in Scotland will be sorry to see the back of him". Goodbye, Johnson. You won't be missed. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

While co-founding two of the most influential HIV/AIDS organizations in the U.S., he still had time to pen a landmark play and be nominated for an Academy Award.

The penis-enhancing drug 'Big Penis USA' has been banned in Australia after a health watchdog said they pose a "serious risk". The country’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has urged people to stop taking the drug, after finding they contained sildenafil which is prescription only. The substance found in erectile dysfunction medication "may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease are often prescribed nitrates." When consumed alongside other medications, the pills could cause "serious side effects". "Big Penis USA tablets pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken," the TGA said in a statement on their site. They encouraged people to take any remaining pills to a local pharmacy to ensure they are disposed of safely. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter To stop any future shipments of Big Penis USA, the TGA will work with the Australian Border Force (ABF) to ensure they don't enter Australia. "The TGA will notify ABF to seize and destroy any of these products intercepted at the border," they wrote. This isn't the first time a warning has been issued about Big Penis USA. An FDA warning stated: "This notification is to inform the public of products marketed as dietary supplements or conventional foods with hidden drug ingredients and chemicals." "These products are typically promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and body building and are often represented as being ‘all natural,'" they continued. "FDA is unable to test and identify all products marketed as dietary supplements that have potentially harmful hidden ingredients. Consumers should exercise caution before purchasing any product in the above categories." If you suspect any side effects to the product, the TGA has urged people to report them. Any other concerns about the product can be reported on 1800 020 653 or the TGA website. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A prominent fitness influencer has admitted to lying about having late-stage pancreatic cancer in order to gain followers. The woman, famously known as MianBaobao on social media, announced the diagnosis three years ago. According to Insider, the Taiwanese influencer went as far as adding her "illness" to her Instagram bio. "Non-professional weightlifting athlete and a professional cancer fighter," it reportedly read. Her lies started to be exposed a year ago when her ex-husband shared his suspicions. "Every time she went for treatment she insisted that her family drop her off at the entrance to the hospital and insisted on seeing the doctor alone," he said, as per the South China Morning Post. "The total medical expenses for the whole family in 2021 amounted to just $275, and I never saw any attending doctor, diagnosis proof, or hospital receipts from her in the past two years." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The influencer has since deleted all of her Instagram posts and issued an apology. "To all the family members, friends, fans, and netizens who have cared about me, supported me, and cheered me on, I want to apologize. "I did the last thing a person should do. I lied about cancer and lied to everyone for three years. I'm sorry to anyone who ever gave me a little kindness. "I know I deserve to die for the things I've done. And now I need to pay the price for the choices I've made." She went on to address companies who she previously secured brand deals with, writing: "If there's a company that requires me to fork out a sum for compensation, I will do so. But I know there's damage that has been done that money cannot compensate for. All I can do is apologise again." Indy100 reached out to the influencer for comment. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Love Island is back with ten new singletons putting all their eggs in one basket. Like most Love Island alumni, Megan Barton Hanson sky-rocketed to fame when she strolled out of the villa in 2018. At just 28 years old, Megan has combined her unapologetic attitude with her impressive social media presence to flip dated views of sexuality on their head. Last summer, she voiced her opinions on sex workers' rights and the new age of porn at one of the world's most prestigious universities. "I’ve always felt the same about women’s issues," Megan told indy100, who openly shares her candid thoughts in her sex and relationships column for VICE and podcast You Come First. She added: "I’ve always been keen for women to have a voice and to feel sexually liberated, but no one really listened before or cared about my opinion. Now I’ve gained such a platform. It’s so important to use it for good and for those who aren’t being heard." Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Recalling her Love Island experience, Megan said her model agent put her forward for the show. "I didn’t think I would get very far because I’m quite introverted and shy until I know people better," she shared. "I think they loved my honesty, though." Despite Love Island having viewers gripped over the summer, a certain mystery remains. There are parts of the show that are so elusive, so much so that Megan only found out she was heading to the villa 48 hours before. With Love Island 2023 in full swing, Megan gives indy100 the scoop on all the Love Island secrets. Islanders have to pass a pre-show STI screening “Thank god, or there would have been zero action," Megan revealed. "It’s so important for me to check every partner has been tested before sleeping together.” …Speaking of safe sex, plenty of branded Love Island condoms are said to be scattered around the villa. The hidden smoking area Due to OFCOM's broadcasting guidelines, smoking "must generally be avoided and in any case must not be condoned, encouraged or glamorised.” Love Island is no exception. Megan revealed islanders have to ask for permission for a smoke break and go one at a time to the designated area. “Having to ask for a cigarette after a row wasn’t a vibe,” she joked. “The stress!” The show runners grow to become friends The crew behind the scenes become pretty close to the islanders. Megan noted that while they "don't directly tell you what to do", it's nice that they chat to you after things after a villa spat. Dinner in the villa While we see islanders battling it out at breakfast, we rarely see them eat any other meal. This is because a catering company comes in with a buffet-style selection of chicken, fish and vegetables. It is also a time for contestants to charge up their mics. “There are runners making sure that there are no storyline conversations, so you aren’t meant to sit near who you are coupled up with, and you are only allowed to chit-chat,” Megan revealed. “If you are lucky, the runners will put on some music and play our favourite songs so we can have a little dance after lunch. Then we get ready for the evening!” The rush to get ready Islanders are allocated a time slot to shower, with Megan saying they only had 20 minutes to get ready. “The stress was real,” Megan said. “I’m so bad at getting ready under pressure,” she said. “With the heat and humidity, I had daily sweaty top lips! Not a look I was picturing for my Love Island experience! Time awareness isn't a thing There are no clocks or calendars around the villa, meaning islanders have no clue what time or date it is. However, Megan found a sneaky loophole after discovering the time was hidden behind a sticker on the cooker. “Me and Wes peeled the tape off to sneak a look,” Megan joked. “This was, however, a big mistake as it was 2am, and we still had loads of chats and beach hut interviews to film!” “I'VE GOT A TEXT!” Megan revealed that the mobile phones were rarely used “unless we were told to go and hold them – this way, we knew something spicy was about to happen.” Of course, they have no internet access but can be used to text other islanders and producers. “Thank god, though,” Megan added. “I would have run up that gravel driveway as quick as possible and gone into hiding if I knew how bad the press was about me!” Megan came fourth place in the 2018 series with then-partner Wes Nelson. She described leaving the villa as a whirlwind, becoming overwhelmed by the amount of love. Despite receiving some harsh criticism while in the villa, Megan said: "the nice messages certainly outweighed the negativity." As for what's next? Megan is currently working on her own lingerie line with one of her favourite brands. "I can’t wait to share more with you, but for now, I’ve got to keep it under wraps," she said. "People have been asking for some 'Meg-approved' lingerie, so I’m so pleased to be able to provide it now!" Megan is also keen to have her own documentary series exploring issues such as sex positivity, sex work, and body positivity. She said: "I am really interested in finding out more about how we have gotten to the place we are in today as a society where these topics are so taboo. "I know a lot of brands and production companies have shied away from working with sex workers and OnlyFans girls, so hopefully, as it becomes more normalised, I will get the chance to them!" Have your say in our news democracy. 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