It was the car that did it. Remember when Tia Gregory walked into the Love Island Australia villa in 2023 and basically the first thing we heard about was her Mercedes-Benz? Talk about a bold move. Most people try to play it humble on Day 1, but Tia was 100% "boss bitch" energy from the jump.
She was 24, a real estate agent (or facility manager, depending on which LinkedIn deep dive you believe) from Canberra, and she was clearly over the dating scene in the capital. Honestly, can you blame her? Canberra isn't exactly a massive playground for singles. She came in looking for someone "tall and tanned," but she walked out—or rather, was dumped out—with one of the most polarizing reputations in the show's history.
The Nate Situation: Why the Fans Turned
If you watched Season 5, you know the vibe changed fast. At first, everyone was rooting for Tia and Nate Page. They looked like a power couple. But then things got... weird.
The turning point was definitely the way she handled the drama involving Abby. Seeing Abby getting yelled at by two men while Tia just sort of sat there with zero empathy? That was a tough watch. Fans on Reddit didn't hold back, calling her "callous" and "narcissistic."
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The real kicker was the argument she had with Nate. He was trying to be a "good guy" and stand up for people, and she basically told him it was a turn-off. She literally said she wanted a "dumb" man who wouldn't question her. It was jarring.
- She coupled with Trent first.
- Reid stole her.
- She found her way to Nate.
- She ditched Nate for Zac.
By the time she coupled up with Zac, the "superfans" had seen enough. She was dumped on Day 12, finishing in 15th place. It was a short run, but man, she left a mark.
Life After the Villa: The Instagram Wipe
When Tia got back to the real world, the reception wasn't exactly warm. It’s one thing to be the "villain" on TV; it's another to face thousands of comments calling you "mean" or "stunted."
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She actually ended up wiping a lot of the Love Island content from her Instagram. It seemed like a classic move to distance herself from the "villain edit" she felt she got. There was a public apology posted at one point, where she mentioned learning about empathy and apologizing to Nate.
"Whether it’s sincere or not, I appreciate her giving a straightforward apology," one fan noted on a forum, though most weren't buying it.
Some people thought the apology sounded like it was written by a PR person or even ChatGPT (ironic, right?). Regardless, she seems to have pivoted back to her "real" life.
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What is Tia Gregory doing now?
She's mostly stayed out of the reality TV spotlight since her season wrapped. Unlike some islanders who turn the show into a career of club appearances and endless sponsored posts for tooth whitening kits, Tia has kept a slightly lower profile lately.
- She went back to her career in property/real estate.
- She continues to travel—she was always big on solo trips.
- She still snowboards and skis, which were her big hobbies before the show.
Was she really the villain?
Look, reality TV is edited. We know this. But the words that come out of someone's mouth are still their words. Tia Gregory represented a very specific type of Islander: the one who is there for herself and doesn't care about "girl code" or being the most liked person in the room.
There's a level of honesty in that, even if it's uncomfortable to watch. She didn't want a "white knight." She wanted someone who matched her energy, even if that energy was a bit abrasive.
Actionable Insights for Love Island Fans
- Watch the "Unseen Bits": If you want to see if Tia actually had a softer side, the Unseen Bits episodes usually show the Islanders just hanging out. Sometimes the "villain" is actually just the person who didn't give the producers enough "sweet" footage to work with.
- Follow the Cast, Not Just the Edit: If you're curious about the real relationship between her and Nate now, check their social media interactions (or lack thereof). Usually, if there's real beef, they won't even follow each other.
- Don't Believe Everything: The "Mercedes-Benz" flex was a major part of her intro, but many islanders are told to emphasize one "quirky" or "rich" trait by producers to create a character.
Tia's time on Tia Love Island Australia was a lightning-fast lesson in how quickly public opinion can shift. One minute you're the favorite, the next you're being voted off by the fans. It’s a tough game, and she played it her way, for better or worse.
If you're looking to keep up with the Season 5 cast, your best bet is to check out the current status of couples like Tyra and Kale, who actually managed to make things work long-term. As for Tia, she's likely just fine driving that Mercedes around Canberra, far away from the Spanish villa drama.