• Love Island USA team member James Barker died unexpectedly last week from a medical emergency while filming season 8 in Fiji.
  • James’s partner Adam Roth remembered him as ‘the absolute light and love of my life.”
  • James served Love Island USA since 2020 as a story producer and executive producer, contributing to soundtracks and production while previously working on acclaimed shows like Queer Eye and Pawn Stars.

Love Island USA is paying tribute to a beloved member of its team, James Barker, who sadly passed away last week.

ITV America and Peacock shared the news of James’s passing yesterday (June 15), confirming that he had an unexpected medical emergency while filming season 8 in Fiji.

James’s partner, Adam Roth, gave a statement to NBC News, saying, “James was the absolute light and love of my life. He brought joy and brilliance to everything he touched. James was such a champion of the community of young music artists he was able to introduce to audiences on Love Island.”

Adam and James met at a Billie Eilish concert, and Adam says, “Live music was a constant in our relationship,” adding, “I am so proud of the work he did and that he was surrounded by such an amazing team. His loss is unimaginable. While it was not enough, I am so thankful for the time we had and the memories we made together.”

ITV and Peacock also released a joint statement to Deadline saying, “James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock. 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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to James’ partner, family, friends, and colleagues.”

James has been on Love Island USA since 2020, first starting as a story producer before becoming an EP. He worked on the show’s soundtrack as well as both production and post-production.

Before Love Island USA, James worked on other notable reality shows including Pawn Stars and Queer Eye, as well as Love Island Games.