Love Island USA host Ariana Madix shared a heartfelt tribute to the reality show's late executive producer, James Barker, as the season 8 finale aired on Sunday, July 12.
"As many of you know, we unexpectedly lost a dear friend this summer," Madix, 41, wrote via her Instagram Stories, according to Us Weekly. "James Barker is the kindest person you could ever meet, with the kind of soul that truly radiates from within. We will miss him always."
Barker, who joined ITV America in summer 2020 and worked on Love Island USA for years before becoming a full-time executive producer, died in Fiji on June 8 following what Peacock described as "an unexpected medical emergency." The streaming service confirmed his death through a statement on June 15. Details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain unclear.
In her tribute, Madix encouraged fans to support a GoFundMe campaign established to fund a celebration of Barker's life, as well as to assist with mortgage repayments and other expenses. "If anyone is so able to donate or to just share this, thank you," she wrote, according to Us Weekly.
The television host, who joined Love Island USA in March 2026 at the beginning of season 6, concluded her message with a personal note to her late colleague. "Thank you to James for touching all of our lives with your amazing light," she wrote alongside a photograph of the pair. "We miss you."
The reality series honored Barker during its June 16 episode with a montage of photographs accompanied by the text, "For James. We love you."
Barker's partner, Adam Roth, spoke publicly about the loss following the producer's death. "James was the absolute light and love of my life. He brought joy and brilliance to everything he touched," Roth told People in a statement. The couple had been together for more than four years after meeting at a Billie Eilish concert.
Sunday's finale saw Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai Dettloff crowned as the winning couple. Aniya Harvey and Carl Lee Schmidt finished in second place, followed by Melanie Moreno and Sincere Rhea in third, and Kayda Bosse and Zach Georgiou in fourth.
The cast will reunite for a special reunion episode scheduled for Monday, August 31. Madix will team up with Andy Cohen to host the event, which will feature "this season's winners, fan-favorite couples, and this year's bombshells, for an up close and personal look back at their experience in the Villa," according to a press release from the network.