“Love Island USA” executive producer James Barker dies at 40 while shooting season 8 in Fiji

Key Points

• Love Island USA producer James Barker died after “suffering a medical emergency” while filming the reality show in Fiji.

• He joined the Love Island USA production team in 2020.

• Love Island USA will honor him during the Tuesday, June 16 episode.

Love Island USA executive producer James Barker has died. He was 40.

ITV America and Peacock confirmed on Monday that Barker, who started working on Love Island USA in 2020, died last week after “suffering an unexpected medical emergency” while filming season 8 in Fiji. The dating reality show will honor him during the Tuesday episode. TMZ was first to report the news.

Barker’s tenure at Love Island USA started as a story producer, eventually working his way up to executive producer, which has been his role for the past three seasons.

“James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock,” ITV America and Peacock said in a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly.

“He was a beloved and greatly valued member of our collective family whose kindness, talent and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”

The statement continued, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to James’ family, friends and colleagues.”

Early in Barker’s career, in 2011, he worked as a producer for Leftfield Pictures, working on shows such as Counting Cars, Forged in Fire, and Pawn Stars.

While at ITV America, Barker worked on Queer Eye, starting as a producer before becoming co-executive producer. He also worked on several seasons of Love Island USA and Love Island Games. Other producer credits include shows for Scout Productions, Sharp Entertainment, and Kinetic Content.

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Barker, who DJ’d for 20 years across the country to a dedicated following, met his partner Adam while working on Love Island USA. They shared a love of music throughout their relationship. According to an Instagram post, Barker and Adam bought a condo together in Brooklyn in January.

“Did we just buy a condo? Apartment? Whatever it is, it feels like home. We moved in almost two years ago and when presented with the opportunity to purchase we couldn’t think of anywhere else we wanted to live,” the couple captioned their joint Instagram post.

Weeks before his death, Barker posted about production in Fiji on Instagram. “Hope you’re all enjoying the new season brought to you by a huge squad of brilliant people,” he wrote in part.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly