# Temptation Island (TV series)

Temptation Island is an American reality television series originally broadcast by Fox. The series premiered on January 10, 2001, and it concluded with its third season on September 29, 2003. Temptation Island depicted four unmarried couples who traveled to a tropical island to have their fidelity tested. The couples were separated from one another for two weeks, in which they were required to commingle with a group of single members of the opposite sex whose purpose was to persuade the couples to have an affair. The series drew intense backlash due to its controversial premise; however, it averaged high ratings over the course of its first season. The series is hosted by American television presenter Mark L. Walberg.
In 2018, USA Network announced that it planned to revive Temptation Island. The first season of this revival premiered on January 15, 2019. In 2024, the series moved from USA to Netflix.

## Production

The first season of the show was filmed on Ambergris Caye in Belize. Season 1 premiered on January 10, 2001, and aired its finale on February 28, 2001. The debut episode drew 16 million viewers. The show attracted controversy from the outset, which Fox hoped would drive ratings. Four male contestants lived in one section with a dozen female models, and the four female contestants lived in another section with a dozen attractive men. The initial couples were Kaya Wittenburg and Valerie Penso, Mandy Lauderdale and Billy Cleary, Ytossie Patterson and Taheed Watson, and Andy Lukei and Shannon Roghair. Producers removed Patterson and Watson from the show when they learned that the pair had children together. The remaining three couples continued.
Season 2 premiered on October 31, 2001, and delivered poor ratings. After a nearly two-year layoff, a third edition of the series premiered on August 28, 2003. Like Season 2, Season 3 also delivered poor ratings.
Mark L. Walberg hosted all three editions. Reruns once aired on Hulu, but are no longer available there.
A revamped version of the show, once again hosted by Walberg, premiered on the USA Network on January 15, 2019. USA Network announced the show was renewed for a fifth season on February 26, 2019. On August 22, 2019, it was announced that the fifth season would premiere on October 10, 2019.
On January 28, 2021, it was announced that the sixth season would premiere on February 16, 2021.
On January 26, 2024, it was reported that the series would be moving from USA Network to Netflix.

## Episodes

| Season | Episodes | Episodes | Originally released | Originally released | Originally released |
| Season | Episodes | Episodes | First released | Last released | Network |
| 1 | 8 | 8 | January 10, 2001 (2001-1-10) | February 28, 2001 (2001-2-28) | Fox |
| 2 | 12 | 12 | October 31, 2001 (2001-10-31) | February 14, 2002 (2002-02-14) | Fox |
| 3 | 8 | 8 | August 28, 2003 (2003-08-28) | September 29, 2003 (2003-09-29) | Fox |
| 4 | 12 | 12 | January 15, 2019 (2019-1-15) | March 26, 2019 (2019-3-26) | USA Network |
| 5 | 12 | 12 | October 10, 2019 (2019-10-10) | December 19, 2019 (2019-12-19) | USA Network |
| 6 | 12 | 12 | February 16, 2021 (2021-2-16) | April 27, 2021 (2021-4-27) | USA Network |
| 7 | 12 | 12 | March 16, 2022 (2022-3-16) | May 25, 2022 (2022-5-25) | USA Network |
| 8 | 12 | 12 | June 14, 2023 (2023-6-14) | August 23, 2023 (2023-8-23) | USA Network |
| 9 | 10 | 10 | March 12, 2025 (2025-3-12) | March 12, 2025 (2025-3-12) | Netflix |

## Reception

Temptation Island received mixed reviews from critics. Michael Speier of Variety negatively compared the series to Survivor, referring to it as "merely a lightweight libido experiment." Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly believed the series to be "creepy-cheesy", in which he assigned it a grade of C-.

## Couples
### Season 1

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Kaya Wittenburg | Model | Miami Beach, FL | 1.5 years | Dating | They left the island together |
| 1 | Valerie Penso | Real Estate Agent | Miami Beach, FL | 1.5 years | Dating | They left the island together |
| 2 | Billy Cleary | Aspiring Actor | Atlanta, GA | 1.5 years | Split | They left the island together but split up before the reunion episode |
| 2 | Mandy Lauderdale | Aspiring Singer | Atlanta, GA | 1.5 years | Split | They left the island together but split up before the reunion episode |
| 3 | Taheed Watson | Actor | Los Angeles, CA | 5.5 years | Dating | They were disqualified from the show when it was revealed they had a child together. |
| 3 | Ytossie Patterson | Actress | Los Angeles, CA | 5.5 years | Dating | They were disqualified from the show when it was revealed they had a child together. |
| 4 | Andy Lukei | Owner of Pacific Coast Kayaking | Malibu, CA | 5 years | Married | They got engaged after the final bonfire and were married in a special reunion episode |
| 4 | Shannon Roghair | Lawyer | Malibu, CA | 5 years | Married | They got engaged after the final bonfire and were married in a special reunion episode |

### Season 2

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Edmundo Cruz | Waiter | Chicago, IL | 3 years | Split | They left the bonfire together but split up soon afterwards |
| 1 | Catherine Chiarelli | Dancer/Singer | Chicago, IL | 3 years | Split | They left the bonfire together but split up soon afterwards |
| 2 | John Dolan | Bartender | Phoenix, AZ | 10 months | Dating | They left the island together |
| 2 | Shannon Rutledge | Sales | Phoenix, AZ | 10 months | Dating | They left the island together |
| 3 | Tony Schmitt | Sales Account Executive | Ferndale, MI | 4.5 years | Engaged | Left the show after episode 5 and chose to get engaged |
| 3 | Genevieve Deittrick | Business Owner | Ferndale, MI | 4.5 years | Engaged | Left the show after episode 5 and chose to get engaged |
| 4 | Thomas McGuan | Fleet Service Clerk / Model | Chicago, IL | 3.5 years | Split | They both decided to end the relationship |
| 4 | Nikkole Palmatier | Bartender | Chicago, IL | 3.5 years | Split | They both decided to end the relationship |
| 5 | Mark Detrio | Police Officer | Tampa, FL | 1.4 years | Split | Joined the show in episode 6 Kelley broke up with Mark and they left the island alone |
| 5 | Kelley Sutphin | Bartender / Student | Tampa, FL | 1.4 years | Split | Joined the show in episode 6 Kelley broke up with Mark and they left the island alone |

### Season 3

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Michael Pulice | Bartender / Model | Long Island, NY | 2 years | Split | Melissa broke up with Michael and they left the island alone |
| 1 | Melissa Huggins | Promoter / Model | Long Island, NY | 2 years | Split | Melissa broke up with Michael and they left the island alone |
| 2 | Erik Hebert | Caterer | Farmville, VA | 3 years | Dating | They left the island together |
| 2 | Kristin Cobb | Student | Farmville, VA | 3 years | Dating | They left the island together |
| 3 | Anthony | Sales Manager | Chicago, IL | 3 years | Split | They broke up and left the island alone |
| 3 | Stephanie Cantu | Hairstylist / Model | Chicago, IL | 3 years | Split | They broke up and left the island alone |
| 4 | Jason | Massage Therapist | Las Vegas, NV | 1 year | Split | Kara broke up with Jason and they left the island alone |
| 4 | Kara | Receptionist | Las Vegas, NV | 1 year | Split | Kara broke up with Jason and they left the island alone |

### Season 4

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Javen Butler | Senior Records Clerk | San Francisco, CA | 8 years | Engaged | They got engaged on the show. |
| 1 | Shari Ligons | Recruiter / Human Resources | San Francisco, CA | 8 years | Engaged | They got engaged on the show. |
| 2 | Karl Collins | Para-Professional Educator | Chicago, IL | 2.5 years | Split | They broke up on the show, but later got back together. According to Screenrant 2023, they are no longer together. |
| 2 | Nicole Tutewohl | Sales Executive | Chicago, IL | 2.5 years | Split | They broke up on the show, but later got back together. According to Screenrant 2023, they are no longer together. |
| 3 | John Thurmond | Business Owner | Fort Worth, TX | 3 years | Split | On the show, John dated Katheryn and Kady dated Johnny. Both are now single. |
| 3 | Kady Krambeer | Marketer | Fort Worth, TX | 3 years | Split | On the show, John dated Katheryn and Kady dated Johnny. Both are now single. |
| 4 | Evan Smith | Professional Trainer | Los Angeles, CA | 5 years | Split | Evan is the son of Gavin Smith. On the show, Evan broke up with Kaci to begin a relationship with Morgan Lolar. Evan and Morgan became engaged after the show but they ended the relationship the following year. Morgan and Kaci are now on good terms. |
| 4 | Kaci Campbell | Business Owner | Los Angeles, CA | 5 years | Split | Evan is the son of Gavin Smith. On the show, Evan broke up with Kaci to begin a relationship with Morgan Lolar. Evan and Morgan became engaged after the show but they ended the relationship the following year. Morgan and Kaci are now on good terms. |

### Season 5

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Kate Griffith | Sales Executive | Hoboken, NJ | 3 years | Split | David left with Toneata, but the two later split; David and Kate got back together, but later split again. |
| 1 | David Benavidez | Sales Executive | Hoboken, NJ | 3 years | Split | David left with Toneata, but the two later split; David and Kate got back together, but later split again. |
| 2 | Esonica Veira | Miss Universe US Virgin Islands 2017 | Decatur, GA | 6 years | Split | Esonica left with Kareem, but the two later split. |
| 2 | Gavin Rocker | Private Security | Decatur, GA | 6 years | Split | Esonica left with Kareem, but the two later split. |
| 3 | Ashley Howland | Dental Assistant | Deland, FL | 1.5 years | Split | Casey proposed to Ashley who rejected the proposal; Ashley left with Ben, but the two later split. |
| 3 | Casey Starchak | Online Sales | Deland, FL | 1.5 years | Split | Casey proposed to Ashley who rejected the proposal; Ashley left with Ben, but the two later split. |
| 4 | Ashley Goldson | Store Manager | Boston, MA | 4 years | Split | Ashley and Rick decided to leave together, but the two later split. |
| 4 | Rick Fleur | Model | Boston, MA | 4 years | Split | Ashley and Rick decided to leave together, but the two later split. |

### Season 6

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Chelsea Orcutt | Marketing Coordinator | West Hollywood, CA | 1 year | Dating | Chelsea and Tom decided to leave the island together. |
| 1 | Thomas Gipson | Actor | West Hollywood, CA | 1 year | Dating | Chelsea and Tom decided to leave the island together. |
| 2 | Erica Washington | Personal Assistant | Los Angeles, CA | 2 years | Split | Erica broke things off with Kendal and left the island alone. Kendal left the island with Alexcys, but Alexcys broke things off shortly after. |
| 2 | Kendal Kirkland | Business Owner | Los Angeles, CA | 2 years | Split | Erica broke things off with Kendal and left the island alone. Kendal left the island with Alexcys, but Alexcys broke things off shortly after. |
| 3 | Erin Smith | Behavioral Therapist | San Diego, CA | 1.5 years | Split | The couple left the island together. Erin broke up with Corey at the reunion, and no longer follow each other on social media. |
| 3 | Corey Sobczyk | Concierge Manager | San Diego, CA | 1.5 years | Split | The couple left the island together. Erin broke up with Corey at the reunion, and no longer follow each other on social media. |
| 4 | Kristen Ramos | Physical Therapist | Sewell, NJ | 11 years | Married | Kristen and Julian are high school sweethearts. Before they left the island together, Julian proposed and Kristen accepted. They married in July 2022. |
| 4 | Julian Allen | Personal Trainer | Sewell, NJ | 11 years | Married | Kristen and Julian are high school sweethearts. Before they left the island together, Julian proposed and Kristen accepted. They married in July 2022. |

### Season 7

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Ashley Rodriguez | Content Producer | Queens, NY | 7 years | Split | Initially Ashley decided to leave with Lascelles, but changed her mind to leave the island alone. Lascelles decided to leave the island with Trace. By the reunion show, Lascelles and Trace were no longer together. Lascelles also made out with Alexa and Meghan at a club after the show finished filming. |
| 1 | Lascelles Lagares | Recruiter / Personal Trainer | Queens, NY | 7 years | Split | Initially Ashley decided to leave with Lascelles, but changed her mind to leave the island alone. Lascelles decided to leave the island with Trace. By the reunion show, Lascelles and Trace were no longer together. Lascelles also made out with Alexa and Meghan at a club after the show finished filming. |
| 2 | Iris Jardiel | Entrepreneur | Seattle, WA | 6 years | Split | Engaged on the show but later split. |
| 2 | Luke Wechselberger | Entrepreneur | Seattle, WA | 6 years | Split | Engaged on the show but later split. |
| 3 | Gillian Lieberman | Realtor | West Palm Beach, FL | 4 years | Split | They both decided to end the relationship. Gillian left the island alone and Edgar left the island with Marissa. Marissa and Edgar later split. |
| 3 | Edgar De Santiago | Customer Experience Specialist | Indianapolis, IN | 4 years | Split | They both decided to end the relationship. Gillian left the island alone and Edgar left the island with Marissa. Marissa and Edgar later split. |
| 4 | Hania Stocker | Garden Designer | Santa Fe, NM | 1.5 years | Split | Hania proposed to Ash, but Ash said no. Ash decided to leave the island alone. |
| 4 | Ash Lamiroult | Writer | Santa Fe, NM | 1.5 years | Split | Hania proposed to Ash, but Ash said no. Ash decided to leave the island alone. |

### Season 8

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Kaitlin Tufts | Fitness Studio Owner | Charleston, SC | 8 years | Split | Hall ended the engagement during episode 8 of the show and chose to leave the island with Makayla while Kaitlin left alone. |
| 1 | Hall Toledano | Leather Sales | Charleston, SC | 8 years | Split | Hall ended the engagement during episode 8 of the show and chose to leave the island with Makayla while Kaitlin left alone. |
| 2 | Leonila “Paris” Pedro | Influencer | Newark, NJ | 1.8 years | Split | Paris left the island with Tahjjic and Great left the island with Nafeesah but both couples broke up before the reunion |
| 2 | Nzubechukwu “Great” Ezihie | Engineer | New York, NY | 1.8 years | Split | Paris left the island with Tahjjic and Great left the island with Nafeesah but both couples broke up before the reunion |
| 3 | Marisela Figueroa | Bartender | Atlanta, GA | 2 years | Split | Marisela chose to leave the island single. Christopher decided to leave the island with Alexius, but they broke up after the show |
| 3 | Christopher Wells | Fitness Instructor | Atlanta, GA | 2 years | Split | Marisela chose to leave the island single. Christopher decided to leave the island with Alexius, but they broke up after the show |
| 4 | Vanessa Valente | Military Contractor | Los Angeles, CA | 1 year | Split | Left the island together but had split up by the reunion show |
| 4 | Roberto Mal | Army Veteran/Student | Los Angeles, CA | 1 year | Split | Left the island together but had split up by the reunion show |

### Season 9

| # | Couple | Occupation | Hometown | # Years Dating | Status | Notes |
| 1 | Brion Whitley | Financial Advisor | Atlanta, GA | 1 year | Dating | Shante and Brion decided to leave the island together. |
| 1 | Shante Glover | Account Executive | Atlanta, GA | 1 year | Dating | Shante and Brion decided to leave the island together. |
| 2 | Tayler Bird | Health Education Specialist / Personal Trainer | Nashville, TN | 2.5 years | Split | Tayler chose to leave the island alone, while Tyler decided to leave the island with Kay. |
| 2 | Tyler Breshears | Model | Nashville, TN | 2.5 years | Split | Tayler chose to leave the island alone, while Tyler decided to leave the island with Kay. |
| 3 | Alexa Santamaria | Nurse | Atlanta, GA | 3 years | Engaged | Alexa and Lino decided to leave the island together. Lino proposed to Alexa and accepted. |
| 3 | Lino Troisi | Personal Trainer | Atlanta, GA | 3 years | Engaged | Alexa and Lino decided to leave the island together. Lino proposed to Alexa and accepted. |
| 4 | Ashley Moore | Tax Analyst | Florida, USA | 1.5 years | Split | Ashley decided to leave the island with Danny , while Grant decided to leave the island alone. |
| 4 | Grant Larsen | Business Owner | Florida, USA | 1.5 years | Split | Ashley decided to leave the island with Danny , while Grant decided to leave the island alone. |

## International versions

| Country | Name | Host | Channel | First year aired |
| Argentina | Confianza ciega | Juan Castro | Canal 9 | 2001 |
| Argentina Chile | La Isla de las Tentaciones | Florencia Peña Benjamín Vicuña | Prime Video | August 9, 2024 |
| Australia | Temptation Island | Peter Colquhoun | 7 Network | December 21, 2002 2019 |
| Brazil | Ilha da Sedução | Babi Xavier | SBT | 2002 2003 |
| Brazil | Ilha da Tentação | Flávia Alessandra Otaviano Costa | Prime Video | 2024 |
| Bulgaria | Островът на изкушението Ostrovat na izkushenyeto | Vitomir Saraivanov | Nova TV | November 1, 2007 – January 18, 2008 |
| Chile | Amor a Prueba | Karla Constant | Mega | December 1, 2014 |
| Finland | Temptation Island Suomi | Sami Kuronen | Nelonen | 2015–present |
| France | L'Île de la tentation | Stéphane Bouillaud Céline Géraud | TF1 | July 6, 2002 – August 26, 2008 |
| France | L'Île de la tentation | Laurent Fontaine | Virgin 17 | April 27, 2010 – June 18, 2010 |
| France | L'Île de la tentation | Julie Taton | W9 | July 2019 |
| France | L'Île de la tentation | Delphine Wespiser | W9 | January 18, 2024 |
| Germany | Temptation Island – Versuchung im Paradies | Angela Finger-Erben (1-2) Lola Weippert (3-) | RTL | March 6, 2019 – present |
| Germany | Temptation Island VIP | Angela Finger-Erben (1) Lola Weippert (2-) | RTL | October 18, 2020 – present |
| Hungary | A Kísértés | Balázs Sebestyén | RTL Klub | October 8, 2004 |
| Hungary | A Kísértés | Tibor Kasza | TV2 | September 1, 2024 |
| India | Temptation Island India: Pyaar Ki Pariksha | Karan Kundrra Mouni Roy | JioCinema | November 3, 2023 – present |
| Italy | Vero amore Temptation Island | Maria De Filippi (2005) Filippo Bisciglia (2014–2019; 2021; 2023–present) Alessia Marcuzzi (2020) | Canale 5 | May 19, 2005 – June 9, 2005 July 3, 2014 – July 27, 2021 June 26, 2023 – present |
| Italy | Temptation Island VIP | Simona Ventura (2018) Alessia Marcuzzi (2019) | Canale 5 | September 18, 2018 – October 14, 2019 |
| Mexico | Confianza Ciega | | SKY | 2004 |
| Mexico | Temptation Island | TBA | Amazon Prime | 2024 |
| Netherlands Belgium (Flanders) | Blind Vertrouwen | Wouter Nicolaas | V8 | 2001 |
| Netherlands Belgium (Flanders) | Temptation Island | Tine Van den Brande and Ton van Royen | VT4 V8 | 2002 |
| Netherlands Belgium (Flanders) | Temptation Island | Tine Van den Brande and Viktor Brand | VT4 SBS6 | 2003–2004 |
| Netherlands Belgium (Flanders) | Temptation Island | Hans Otten and Tanja Jess | VT4 Veronica | 2005–2006 |
| Netherlands Belgium (Flanders) | Temptation Island | Véronique De Kock and Co Roworth | VT4 Veronica | 2007 |
| Netherlands Belgium (Flanders) | Temptation Island | Annelien Coorevits and Rick Brandsteder | VIJF RTL 5 | 2016–2020 |
| Netherlands | Temptation Island VIPS | Kaj Gorgels and Yolanthe Sneijder-Cabau | Videoland | 2018–2019 |
| Netherlands | Temptation Island: Love or Leave | Kaj Gorgels and Monica Geuze | Videoland | 2020–2021 |
| Philippines | Love In Temptation Island | None | TV5 | Supposed airdate was on 2012; Cancelled |
| Poland | Temptation Island Polska | Michał Figurski | Polsat | September 6, 2023 – November 22, 2023 |
| Portugal | Confiança Cega | Felipa Garnel | SIC | 2001 |
| Portugal | Ilha da Tentação | Carlos Ribeiro | TVI | 2002 |
| Romania | Temptation Island – Insula Iubirii | Radu Vâlcan Iulia Gheorghe | Antena 1 | 2015–present |
| Russia | Остров Искушений Ostrov Iskushenij | Vladislav Galkin | REN TV | October 1, 2005 – December 25, 2005 |
| Sweden Norway Denmark | Temptation Island | Pontus Gårdinger (2002) Pernille Aalund (2002) Martin Björk (2003) | Kanal 5 TVNorge TVDanmark | 2002–2003 |
| Spain | Confianza Ciega | Francine Gálvez | Antena 3 | January 2002 |
| Spain | La Isla de las Tentaciones | Mónica Naranjo (1) Sandra Barneda (2-) | Telecinco Cuatro | January 9, 2020 – present |
| South Africa | Temptation Island South Africa | Phat Joe | Showmax | August 26, 2021 – November 25, 2021 |
| United Kingdom | Temptation Island UK | Ed Hall | Sky1 | September 23, 2001 – March 24, 2002 |