Love Island USA executive producer James Baker has died after experiencing a medical emergency in Fiji, where the show is currently filming. Peacock and ITV America confirmed his death and said Tuesday’s episode would include a tribute. Baker had worked with the Love Island USA production team since 2020 and was promoted to executive producer in January. The companies described his death as a devastating loss for the series and for everyone who worked with him, remembering him as a valued colleague whose kindness, talent, and dedication left a lasting impact.
Exact details about the medical emergency and the cause of death have not been disclosed. Baker’s work extended beyond Love Island USA. He also served on Hulu’s Are You My First, HGTV’s Table Wars with Tamera Mowry and Martha Stewart, Amazon Prime’s Cosmic Love, and the second season of ABC’s Claim to Fame. Despite this broader résumé, Love Island USA appeared to be a personal favorite. In a pinned Instagram post celebrating the show’s strong seventh-season ratings, Baker said he had wanted to be part of the U.S. version of Love Island from the beginning and praised the team for the show’s success.
It is not yet clear whether production on Love Island USA will pause or continue as planned. The death comes as the franchise has also faced controversy in the past. In a previous lawsuit, two former producers alleged discriminatory treatment, unsafe working conditions, harassment, and retaliation behind the scenes of the series. ITV denied the allegations and called the claims a frivolous attack, while the lawsuit remains ongoing.
