New season, same temptations.
USA's Temptation Island is back with season four this week and longtime host Mark L. Walberg is teasing some major "trouble" ahead for all four of the new couples putting their love (and loyalty) to the test.
"It gets emotional and real really quickly on this season and it's the guys that are driving that," Walberg told E! News during an exclusive interview ahead of the March 16 premiere. "We have four guys that really tap in emotionally here right off the bat, so I think that's a little bit of a difference."
Walberg added that "it's safe to say" all four couples "may have some trouble in their relationship" this season being surrounded by 24 sexy singles (scroll down to meet the new couples and singles!). "It's an extreme experience to go on Temptation Island and they do their best to handle it."
Although Walberg hesitated to spoil anything in terms of how many couples leave together and how many don't—"The truth is I literally feel like the network just put some secret camera in my house for fear that I say something I shouldn't say," he joked—he did tease, "I would tell you that all possibilities are on the table. There's a lot of connections that happen with the singles and our couples and there's a lot of drama that they have to unpack."
Temptation Island went off the air in 2003 but was revived by USA in 2019. Walberg says the show has definitely changed since it first premiered over 20 years ago.
"You gotta remember that the original version came out in 2001, reality TV was brand new. I think there were five episodes that went by before anyone shared a kiss," he shared. "And what has happened is that this generation, the people that are on the show now, we kind of dispelled some of the fakeness of how we were back then. In other words, if you feel sexual, you're allowed to be sexual. There's less shame behind action, so people are living their best life. And because reality TV has been around, they're living it on TV without worrying about it."
Walberg continued, "I think that people are a little more emotionally intelligent these days. The conversation is more accessible. People want to talk about how to build a relationship, they have the wherewithal to bring themselves up…I feel like people have a better vocabulary to discuss relationships now."
Many people are more sex positive than they were 20 years ago, he added.
"You don't get sex shamed and I think that's important; [there's] less gender bias, and I think that's really important," Walberg said. "These are young people living the young life and it's full of challenges; this is the time to stretch it out and make mistakes while there's still time to learn from them."
Temptation Island season four premieres tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16 at 10 p.m. on USA. Scroll through the photo gallery below to meet all the couples and sexy singles!
(E! and USA are both part of the NBCUniversal family)
CITY: West Palm Beach, FL / Indianapolis, IN
OCCUPATION: Gillian: Realtor/ Edgar: Customer Experience Specialist
AGE: Edgar 23 / Gillian 21
College sweethearts, Edgar and Gillian met while attending Ball State University and have been together for four years. Gillian reveals Edgar swept her off her feet and she instantly fell in love with his old school charm. They have both faced trust issues in their relationship and although they made it through their missteps, they haven't been able to shake the uncertainty about their future. Edgar and Gillian hope Temptation Island will decide if they are meant to be together outside the safety of their college bubble.
CITY: Santa Fe, NM
OCCUPATION: Ash: Writer/Hania: Garden Designer
AGE: Ash 28/Hania 30
Ash and Hania have been together for 1.5 years. Although, they initially met through mutual friends and Hania tried to "slide into her DMs.," Ash never responded until they matched on a dating app. They instantly fell for each other and spent over 12 hours on the first date talking about their lives. They are both extremely passionate in their love life and haven't been able to keep their hands off each other. However, Ash is moving to Brooklyn later this summer for her career and they both are unsure if their relationship can weather the distance. Ash and Hania hope that if they can explore the boundaries and vulnerabilities of Temptation Island before moving apart, then they can truly reveal if this relationship is meant to be.
CITY: Seattle, WA
OCCUPATION: Entrepreneurs
AGE: Iris 26/ Luke 29
Iris and Luke met when she was dating one of his friends. But once she met Luke, she broke it off and has been with him ever since, but not without some hiccups. For the past four years, Luke is the only guy she has had eyes for, but now she wonders if he feels the same about her as she has caught him flirting with other girls. They both have jealousy issues which has led Luke to ask for a break not once, but twice. After being together for so long, they are definitely at a crossroads and hoping their time on Temptation Island will put them on the right path.
CITY: Queens, NY
OCCUPATION: Ashley: Content Producer/ Lascelles: Recruiter/Personal Trainer
AGE: Ashley 26 / Lascelles 27
Ashley and Lascelles have been dating for seven years, and with no ring on her finger, Ashley is beginning to question why it's taking so long for their relationship to reach the next level. This pair is admittedly co-dependent and Lascelles seems willing to do anything to make Ashley happy, even at the at the expense of his own financial and emotional needs. On the island, Ashley is looking for self-growth, while Lascelles hopes they both find some independence and Ashley learns to appreciate him more.
CITY: Oradell, NJ
OCCUPATION: Realtor
AGE: 23
Alexa is an outspoken New Jersey girl ready for love. Through her work hard, play hard mentality, she earned her real estate license at 19. This social butterfly isn't one to stay home waiting for Mr. Right. She's always out with her friends, trying new experiences and meeting new men. Never single for long, she hopes to find that special someone.
CITY: Land O' Lakes, FL
OCCUPATION: Media Strategist
AGE: 29
A fraternal twin who comes from a large, athletic family, Andrew is a successful media strategist always in search of a new opportunity. After taking some time to heal from his previous relationship, this six-foot-one "yes man" he is ready for a woman who is adventurous but also loves a good night in.
CITY: Las Vegas, NV
OCCUPATION: Veterinary Assistant
AGE: 28
Brianna is a veterinary assistant who loves the outdoors. Focusing on personality over looks, she is searching for someone who is funny, secure, and able to communicate their feelings. Brianna is ready to trade the tourist trap dating pool of her native Las Vegas for the opportunity to find something real.
CITY: Pompano Beach, FL
OCCUPATION: Fitness Instructor
AGE: 25
Taylor is the ultimate life of the party with a big heart. A social butterfly whose last relationship proved too controlling, this fitness instructor and proud dog dad is looking to meet new people and break the relationship patterns that have failed him in the past.
CITY: New York, NY
OCCUPATION: Registered Nurse
AGE: 29
Emily is a registered nurse from New York City who has spent most of her life caring for others. Her hectic work schedule has made dating challenging, but she is finally ready to take some time for herself and meet a man. With a quirky and unique personality, Emily hopes to show her fun side outside the hustle and bustle of her NYC life.
CITY: Tampa, FL
OCCUPATION: Bartender
AGE: 26
A former Illinois farm boy, Blake is a bartender and Navy veteran. He deployed three times and earned a special achievement medal for saving a man's life. After traveling the world, this guitar-serenading Romeo is looking for woman to settle down with, but his Rockstar vibe seems to get in the way.
CITY: Irvine, CA
OCCUPATION: Mental Health Therapist
AGE: 27
Karyna is a Florida native who knows how to pick quality men. Refusing to date just anyone, this mental health therapist knows she is a catch and is determined to make worthy admirers explicably fall in love with her.
CITY: Dallas, TX
OCCUPATION: Model/Waitress
AGE: 22
After being cheated on by her high school sweetheart, model Kryslyn refuses to settle for less. She is a self-proclaimed spiritualist who turns to tarot cards and birth charts to understand the men she dates. Highly competitive, Kryslyn is aggressive in her pursuits, so long as they align with her frequency.
CITY: Green Bay, WI
OCCUPATION: Gym Owner
AGE: 33
On paper, gym owner Brian checks off all the boxes with his sweet midwestern charm and passion for helping people feel good about themselves. Since calling things off with his ex-fiancé six years ago, Brian is ready to start a family and hopes to find a lady who is willing to swap her for phone out for genuine, face-to-face connection.
CITY: Carrollton, GA
OCCUPATION: Yoga Teacher
AGE: 24
Madelyn is a free-spirited yoga instructor and environmentalist who went vegan almost five years ago to help save the planet. Hoping to escape the confines of her rural Georgia town and see the world, she is ready to experience life with her true love by her side.
CITY: Miami, FL
OCCUPATION: NFL Analyst
AGE: 29
Raised by his parents who were both school principals, George understood that both brains and brawn were essential to his success. He is an NFL draft pick who played a season with the Bears, and then became an analyst for the Dolphins, all while perfecting his cooking skills along the way. George admits that he is a player both on and off the field and sees Temptation Island as the ultimate test to his flirting game.
CITY: Wilmington, NC
OCCUPATION: Real Estate Agent
AGE: 26
Marissa is a real estate agent and passionate romantic with a heart of gold. Enjoying single life after finally breaking things off with her high school sweetheart, she is a relationship girl at her core. Marissa vows to put herself first in every relationship moving forward and is ready for a new, meaningful connection.
CITY: Hollister, CA
OCCUPATION: Firefighter
AGE: 25
A self-proclaimed thrill-seeker, Tommy is a firefighter/EMT who has traveled the world, visiting over 12 countries chasing new adventures. Now that he is stable in his career and finances, he is convinced that the only thing missing in his life is love.
CITY: Massapequa, NY
OCCUPATION: Recent Masters Grad
AGE: 23
Meghan is more than meets the eye. She is athletic, competitive and a self-proclaimed nerd. She recently graduated with a master's degree to become a Speech Language Pathologist and feels that the only thing missing in her life is the right partner.
CITY: Marina Del Rey, CA
OCCUPATION: Software Sales/DJ
AGE: 29
A Berkeley graduate with quintessential west coast looks, Mike is more than meets the eye. He combined his skills in tech sales with his passion for music to successfully launch a videography company for concert events. Having worked on himself post-breakup, Mike is ready to open his heart and discover what it means to love again.
CITY: Los Angeles, CA
OCCUPATION: Model/Professional Roller Skater
AGE: 23
Olivia is a free spirit who strives to live each day to the fullest. A professional roller skater who is used to winning, she is not afraid of healthy competition and hopes to find a guy that will compliment her nomadic lifestyle back home.
CITY: Juniper, FL
OCCUPATION: Personal Trainer
AGE: 26
A physically fit Army brat, James is as sweet as they come. This former football player successfully parlayed his years of training into a successful online fitness business. James wears his heart on his sleeve and does not hold back if he is feeling a connection.
CITY: Los Angeles, CA
OCCUPATION: Personal Assistant
AGE: 30
A petite Texan with a firecracker personality, Paige is looking to thrive with someone who will celebrate her independence. Full of energy and wit, she is everyone's best friend who hopes to become a special someone's Mrs. Right.
CITY: Sacramento, CA
OCCUPATION: Executive Recruiter
AGE: 30
The former football star turned executive recruiter, turned fitness fanatic loves to hit the outdoors, sing karaoke and nerd-out on nature documentaries when he is not in the gym. Rocked by the abrupt ending of a six-year relationship, Evan hopes the ladies are ready for a mature relationship with a well-rounded man.
CITY: Davenport, IA
OCCUPATION: Esthetician
AGE: 24
Pageant star Reilly is always ready to brighten someone's day. Criticized for her looks growing up, this esthetician has evolved and has placed in the top five in Miss Iowa USA on three occasions. She wants her suitors to know she is more than a pretty face, as she plays 10 different instruments, enjoys mixed media sculpting and loves stirring the pot.
CITY: Bronx, NY
OCCUPATION: NY Board of Elections
AGE: 28
Orazio "Ray Rock" Iannacone is the ultimate Italian loverboy with a heart of gold. He has a loyal family, writes poetry and loves romantic movies. Always a confident ladies' man, Ray Rock is ready for his own fairytale ending with a special woman who will reciprocate the love and energy he puts into a relationship.
CITY: Los Angeles, CA
OCCUPATION: Model/Entrepreneur
AGE: 27
Trace is a driven Texan who is not looking to settle down but hoping to find her equal. Though people often misconstrue her confident, tell-it-like-it-is personality as rude, she is a softy at her core. Raised in a military family who prioritized traveling, Trace plans to pass on similar experiences to her future children.
CITY: Long Island, NY
OCCUPATION: Machine Operator
AGE: 29
Mike is a straight shooter who brings a lot to the table in his relationships: he is honest, loyal, and looking for a real, emotional connection with a woman. Ready to meet "the one" and face relationship challenges head-on, Mike is hoping for the adventure of a lifetime.
CITY: Queens, NY
OCCUPATION: Ramp Agent
AGE: 27
Tevin grew up a devoted son and brother to his twin sister, working hard during his high school years to support his family. Single for five years, Tevin knows that he is a total catch because of his ability to make people laugh. When it comes to flirting, he believes you miss every shot you do not take, and he does not miss very many shots.