Honestly, it’s been nearly a decade since Montana Brown first walked into that villa in 2017. A lot of people still picture her as the posh girl from Season 3 who was always snacking on cereal while the drama kicked off around her. But if you’ve been paying attention lately, she is basically unrecognizable from that 21-year-old student.
She isn't just another "islander" doing sponsored posts for hair gummies.
Fast forward to 2026, and Montana is navigating a life that feels way more grounded—and frankly, way more chaotic—than anything we saw on ITV2. She’s a mum of two now. Life is less about red carpets and more about "threenagers" and breech births. It’s a shift that most people didn’t see coming when she was coupled up with Alex Beattie back in the day.
The Reality of Being Montana Brown in 2026
If you follow her on TikTok, you’ve probably seen her latest "parenting win" or, more often, a hilarious fail. Just recently, she was chatting about trying the "look"—you know, that silent stare parents use to get their kids to behave—on her toddler, Jude. She’d been reading Hunt, Gather, Parent trying to get ahead of the "threenager" stage.
It worked. For like, five minutes.
Jude is two now, and she and her fiancé, Mark O'Connor, also have a daughter named Miley who just turned one. Miley’s arrival was a bit of a whirlwind. Montana had planned a home birth, but Miley was breech for the entire pregnancy. Most doctors will tell you that a physiological vaginal birth with a breech baby is a massive task, but Montana really pushed for it. She ended up having what she called a "rollercoaster" delivery, with Miley arriving a bit earlier and bigger than expected in early 2025.
It's refreshing, really. She’s quite open about the fact that she’s often "one comment away from a meltdown." You don't see many influencers admit that they find motherhood humbling in a way that actually feels sincere.
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What Really Happened With Her Business Empire?
People always ask: what happened to her swimwear brand?
Back in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Montana was famously filmed splashing around in a pond in her wellies because no one was buying bikinis during a lockdown. It was a tough time for Swim Society. But she didn't just let it fold. She actually secured a six-figure investment from Fearless Adventures.
She built that brand on three things:
- Sustainability (recycled polyester).
- No categorisation of bodies.
- Radical transparency.
While she’s stepped back from the day-to-day grind of the fashion world to focus on her kids, that entrepreneurial streak is still there. She was an economics student before the show, and you can tell. She’s savvy. She didn't just chase the quick "fast fashion" check that a lot of her peers did. She’s worked with everyone from Adidas to Hilton, but she’s been picky.
Advocacy Beyond the Screen
One thing that doesn't get enough "Discovery" feed love is her work with charities. This isn't just "influencer activism." She’s been an ambassador for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) for years.
It’s personal for her.
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She lost a close friend to a sudden heart attack when he was only 18. She’s actually stood up in the House of Commons—not exactly the usual haunt for a reality star—to advocate for ECG equipment in schools. She also works with Jeans for Genes, supporting families dealing with genetic disorders. When she talks about these things, her tone shifts. It’s less about the "hustle" and more about using that massive platform for something that actually matters.
The Rihanna Connection (Yes, Really)
Just a few days ago, the internet went a bit wild when Rihanna popped up in Montana’s Instagram comments.
Montana had posted a video basically contemplating whether to "get hot and sexy or pregnant in 2026." Rihanna, who has been leaning into the "mom life" herself, replied with: "Wait! So I'm not crazy then? Bet!"
It’s a weird world where a Love Island alum and a global superstar are bonding over the internal struggle of wanting a social life versus wanting a third child. But that’s the level Montana is at now. She’s moved out of the "reality TV bubble" and into this weird, elite space of lifestyle influencers who are actually respected by the people they look up to.
Breaking Down the Misconceptions
There’s this idea that Love Island stars have a shelf life of about 18 months.
Montana broke that.
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She did the presenting gigs for MTV News. She did the fashion segments on This Morning. She even tried Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls, though she’ll be the first to tell you she hated it and quit after three days because she was starving. Honestly? Relatable.
The biggest misconception is that her life is all glossy filters. If you watch her vlogs, she’s talking about low oestrogen levels and the struggles of trying to conceive. She’s talking about her toddler's "threenager" tantrums. She’s showing the messy kitchen.
She’s basically become the "big sister" of the Love Island alumni. While some are still trying to find their 15 minutes of fame on All Stars, Montana is busy building a legacy that has nothing to do with being in a villa in Mallorca.
Next Steps for You
If you're following Montana's journey, the best way to keep up with her actual life—not the tabloid version—is her YouTube channel. She’s promised a full birth vlog for Miley soon, which should give some serious insight into the realities of breech births and home delivery. You can also check out her work with CRY to see how you can support heart screenings for young people in your local area.