Who Was James Barker? What to Know About the Late “Love Island USA” Executive Producer
Who Was James Barker? What to Know About the Late “Love Island USA” Executive Producer
Emily BlackwoodMon, June 15, 2026 at 8:48 PM UTC
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James Barker in March 2021.Credit: James Barker/Instagram -
James Barker died from an "unexpected medical emergency" while filming Love Island USA season 8 in Fiji
Barker was a longtime DJ and producer, who worked on shows like Queer Eye and Pawn Stars before joining Love Island USA
The Love Island team will honor his contributions in the June 16, 2026, episode of the series
James Barker, one of Love Island USA's executive producers, died while filming season 8 of the series in Fiji.
TMZ was the first to report that the 40 year old suffered an "unexpected medical emergency" in June 2026, per a statement from ITV America and Peacock. No further details surrounding his death were given.
"James' unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock," the joint statement read.
It continued, "He was a beloved and greatly valued member of our collective family whose kindness, talent and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him."
Here's what to know about late Love Island USA executive producer James Barker.
He was a producer
James Barker.Credit: James Barker/Instagram
According to his LinkedIn, Barker studied cinematography and film and video production at New York Film Academy and screenwriting at Colorado Film School.
He previously worked as a television producer and contributed to shows like Counting Cars, Forged in Fire, Pawn Stars and Queer Eye for Scout Productions, Sharp Entertainment and Kinetic Content.
Barker also performed as a DJ for over 20 years under the name DJ Chaotic, telling Thotyssey in January 2026 that he started out spinning when he was 18.
Barker helped co-found a monthly Brooklyn-based party called "Poppers," which he hosted "whenever young hot people" weren't "making out in a villa on Peacock."
Barker started working on Love Island USA in 2020
Barker joined the Love Island USA production team during season 2 of the series and rose through the ranks to executive producer in season 6.
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He told Thotyssey that his favorite part was "obviously" working on the soundtrack that accompanied all the drama.
"We air six nights a week in real time, so what we shoot on a Monday airs on a Tuesday," he told the outlet. "There's a lot that goes into editing a show in that time, and we have a huge crew that makes it happen in such a short amount of time."
He was in a long-term relationship
James Barker and Adam Roth in July 2025.Credit: James Barker/Instagram
At the time of his death, Barker was in a long-term relationship with Adam Roth, who is CEO and founder of Silent Partner Advisory. Roth has also worked at the Recording Academy, per his LinkedIn.
They started appearing on each other's Instagram feeds in 2022, after meeting at a Billie Eilish concert.
"James was the absolute light and love of my life," Roth said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE in June 2026. "He brought joy and brilliance to everything he touched. James was such a champion of the community of young music artists he was able to introduce to audiences on Love Island."
He died in June 2026
During production on Love Island's eighth season in Fiji, Barker died "after suffering an unexpected medical emergency." The producer was 40 years old.
Roth said in a statement to NBC News that he was "so proud" of his partner's work and "that he was surrounded by such an amazing team."
That team honored Barker in an episode of Love Island that will air on June 16, per a statement from ITV America and Peacock.
"His loss is unimaginable," Roth continued. "While it was not enough, I am so thankful for the time we had and the memories we made together."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
