'Not doing this for the clout' — Elan Bibas’ brother shares what it’s like running his Instagram during Love Island USA

Love Island USA continues to captivate audiences as new bombshells enter the villa — including Elan Bibas, who joined mid-season and quickly became a standout. While Elan focuses on building connections in the villa, his younger brother, Tal Bibas, is handling things outside, especially on social media.

With contestants required to give up their phones during filming, many rely on friends or family to manage their online presence — and for Elan, Tal took the lead. In an exclusive interview with Business Insider published on July 4, 2025, Tal opened up about his experience managing Elan’s Instagram and TikTok accounts during the show.

“I think Elan is not doing this for the clout or fame. Honestly, that's the last thing on his mind. He loves saying 'yes' to opportunities,” Tal shared.

The reality show airs five nights a week on Peacock and was recently ranked the No. 2 most-watched original streaming show in its early weeks, according to Nielsen. With growing visibility, Elan's following has jumped from 3,000 to over 60,000 — and Tal is making sure the online momentum keeps going until his brother returns.

Tal shares how Elan landed on Love Island USA and why he said yes to the show

Tal Bibas revealed that Elan didn’t apply for Love Island USA himself — he was directly contacted by a casting director via Instagram. According to Tal, the opportunity came after Elan had started posting light content around health, running, and self-improvement, inspired by a wellness community he became part of after moving to Miami.

Love Island USA star Elan, who studied computer science and engineering, had been working at a tech consultancy before joining the show.

“He got out of university, did computer science and engineering and entrepreneurship... He hit a ceiling in Toronto and wanted to move,” Tal said.

The move to Miami opened new doors, and while Elan wasn’t chasing fame, he was open to new experiences. When the casting director of Love Island USA reached out, Elan viewed it as a chance to try something completely different.

“He loves saying yes to opportunities,” Tal explained.

The show’s format — offering both a chance at love and public exposure — was appealing not from a fame standpoint but for the experience and connections it could bring.

Tal also noted that Elan’s company allowed him to take the time off by first using paid leave, then unpaid time, which made it possible for him to participate. Despite being a late entry to Love Island USA villa, Elan has been gaining attention, and Tal believes it’s because “the way he's acting inside the villa is the exact same way he acts in real life.”

Managing Elan’s Instagram comes with challenges — and new opportunities

Tal has a background in digital marketing and previously interned at an influencer marketing agency. So when Elan asked him to take over his social media, Tal took it seriously.

“He basically said, ‘Here’s my login details. Do your best to keep things positive and have fun with it,’” Tal said in the interview.

Since Elan joined Love Island USA villa, his Instagram following has jumped from 3,000 to over 63,000. Tal credits this growth to consistency, good visuals, and understanding what works based on past contestant profiles. He also created a dedicated email for incoming business inquiries.

“I want to make this process as seamless as possible for Elan,” he said.

Tal added that he keeps track of everything so Elan can review it all when he returns. He revealed that most of the inquiries so far are from talent agencies and smaller brands, but he’s vetting them carefully. His goal is to help Elan return to an account that’s engaged, positive, and ready for new opportunities — whether they’re brand deals, partnerships, or media appearances.

Stay tuned to Primetimer for more updates.

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