'Love Island' bosses approached Anna Vakili to join the show via Instagram.
Anna Vakili
The 28-year-old pharmacist's sister Mandi Vakili has revealed her sibling didn't apply to go on the ITV2 dating show and was shocked when she received a message from the producers.
Mandi said: "She was approached on Instagram, so she was sort of scouted. She never applied.
"It's not how it works usually, usually everyone applies.
"But Anna didn't apply, they messaged her and contacted her and we were like, 'Oh my God, is this really happening?' "
Anna tried to tempt the show's bosses to put her sister into the villa as well - and Mandi admits she would love to appear on the programme.
She said: "Because me and Anna are so close she kept pushing the producers to meet me.
"It was originally meant to just be Anna, but there was a brief period of time where we were both meant to be going on there."
Asked whether she would like to go on the show after watching her sister in the villa, she said: "Yeah, definitely.
"Because I feel me and Anna can be more ourselves when we're together, because we're so close. We're like two halves.
"If I was there she would be more herself, and the same way she would be more herself if she was with me right now.
"It would be fun but it would take away the drama that 'Love Island' wants. They want head turning, ship jumping sort of thing. But that wouldn't happen because me and Anna are so close."
Anna has come under fire from some viewers after she dumped Jordan Hames for Ovie Soko, only to appear to go back to the 24-year-old model after sharing a smooch with him, following a bust up with the 28-year-old basketball player.
But Mandi doesn't think Anna should do anything differently on the show.
Speaking on 'Lorraine', she added: "I would say, 'Just keep being yourself.'
"She's being herself."