Diamanté Laiva, a former Love Island contestant, said she has left the United Kingdom to live in Da Nang, Vietnam, praising the coastal city's low rents, beaches and what she described as a more positive atmosphere.
In a TikTok video that has been viewed tens of thousands of times, the 22-year-old said she moved to Vietnam three months ago and pays about £180 a month for a furnished home with beach access. She said she shares the property with her boyfriend and works remotely on two online businesses.
"Leaving the UK forever has made me realise that you guys are actually the problem — why is the country so negative?" Diamanté said in the clip, adding that one advantage of Da Nang was proximity to the beach. She said the home where she is staying is fully equipped, including what she called a "waterfall shower," and that she rarely cooks because of the availability and affordability of local food.
Diamanté told viewers she does not speak Vietnamese fluently but gets by with basic phrases and translation apps. She also described healthcare in Vietnam as "amazing," calling it modern and more thorough than the U.K.'s system.
The move follows Diamanté's appearance on the 11th season of ITV's Love Island, where she entered as a Casa Amor bombshell and was not picked at a recoupling. Since leaving the show, she has been active on social media and frequently discusses her lifestyle choices with followers.
Commenters on the TikTok video responded with questions and praise for Vietnam. Some described the country as beautiful and life-changing, while others said they were envious of her new lifestyle. The clip has drawn attention amid broader interest in Southeast Asia as a low-cost destination for expatriates and remote workers.
Data cited by commentators and media outlets note that living costs in Vietnam can be significantly lower than in the U.K.; one figure often referenced estimates nearly a 60% reduction in living costs compared with Britain. A Forbes report previously said a large majority of expats in Vietnam rated the cost of living favourably.
Diamanté also contrasted Da Nang with Dubai, a popular relocation choice for some Britons, saying that avoiding the most tourist-heavy or expat-focused areas was key to finding affordable housing and a quieter lifestyle. She described some Vietnamese developments as competing with Dubai in terms of modern buildings.
Her move comes more than a year after on-screen disputes with fellow Love Island cast members, including a public clash with Jess White and a later dispute with Olivia Hawkins. Media reports in January said Diamanté had taken legal steps to restrict mentions of her by a former castmate in relation to an All Stars villa, though details and outcomes of any legal action were not publicly disclosed.
Diamanté's account adds to growing social media coverage of celebrities and influencers relocating to Southeast Asia for lower living costs, different work-life balances and lifestyle changes away from the U.K.