Executive Producer of Love Island USA James Barker died unexpectedly while filming the show’s eighth season. The 40-year-old had an “unexpected medical emergency” last week, according to TMZ. “James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock," ITV America and Peacock said in a statement following his death. He will be honored in the June 16, episode of Love Island USA, People added. The DJ and producer started his career in television in 2011, working on shows including Counting Cars, Forged in Fire, and Pawn Stars. He later worked on the hit reality show Queer Eye on Netflix before joining Love Island USA in 2020. Barker worked as the show’s EP for the past three years, overseeing its soundtrack and production. Hosted by television personality Ariana Madix, the hit Peacock original series is known not only for bringing many of its contestants to social media fame, but also for its popularity amongst young viewers. The show’s seventh season, which aired multiple episodes per week in summer 2025, was Peacock’s most-watched original season of all time. Just a few days before his passing, Barker posted on Instagram in honor of the kickoff of the show’s eighth season. “Hope you’re all enjoying the new season brought to you by a huge squad of brilliant people, including the three models standing beside me.” There has been no confirmation of his cause of death.
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