Love it or loathe it, Love Island has returned to our screens this summer. Whilst for many, Love Island can be viewed as entertainment for others such as myself, it is a show which endorses a lack of diversity, unrealistic body expectations and a shallow perception of starting a relationship.
The Premise
If you have not seen the show, I will explain the premise of it to you: a group of young singles are sent to a luxury villa with the aim to find love. The couple who win the most votes at the end of the competition return home with 50k after “finding love”. Too often than not, the 50k prize money is being sought over the opportunity to find love. Contestants are faking a relationship in order to win the money. Sounds about right?
So, what’s wrong if I watch Love Island?
Despite the glittery adverts and catchy theme tune, there is something deeply cynical about Love Island. For two months, viewers will see “beach body ready” women who are expected to look glamourous at all times. These women have been carefully selected by the producers of the show to match the societal expectation of women to take up less space.
After doing some research on the show, I found out that the female islanders are subjected to a strict diet regime to maintain their slim appearance. In fact, previous contestants have admitted to going on a pre-Love Island crash diet just to keep a low weight for when they were on screen. Not to mention the effect this has on the viewer’s self-esteem. Watching the program at 9:00 from the sofa hardly makes you feel great about yourself when you are being made to compare yourself to the bodies of women or men who have been made to restrict their food intake to look a particular way.
The show also encourages the idea that the most important foundation of a relationship is physical attraction based on appearance. As opposed to celebrating the personality of the individual, Love Island encourages the viewer to focus on the bodies of the contestants. In my opinion, this central focus around the way the contestants look is toxic.
The show presents a lack of diversity through the individuals in the villa. By prioritising younger contestants, it puts the wrong message across: that only young people can find love. It is alienating to older men and women who are trying to find love. Take for example the 2018 semi-finalist, Laura Anderson. At age 29, she was branded a “granny” by bullies on Twitter. I am shocked that such ageism was allowed to ensue considering the basic principle that love can be found at any age.
Not only is the average age of the constant decreasing but there is a lack of racial diversity too. It is evident that ethnic minority groups are not being fairly represented on the show. Why in 2021 is this still happening? After the 2020 Black Lives Matter Movement, more needs to be done to fairly represent ethnic minority groups.
Yet, I think the worst part of Love Island still airing is the fact that there have already been three deaths related to the show. Let us not forget Caroline Flack, Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gordon who were Love Island stars that, subsequently took their own lives after being on the show. More needs to be done to protect not only the mental health of viewers but also the mental health of the contestants.
So why is everyone still watching it?
Light relief or because everyone else is watching it? Individuals have become so engrossed in watching the Islanders that it has become a Love Island culture; you feel as if you are missing out if you do not watch it. To say, “no I do not watch Love Island” is like declining a cup of tea at your Nan’s house. And, the more people are buying into this mindset, the more views the show is getting. I believe it is only until Love Island is seen for what it is that the show can be stopped.
What I want you to remember is that your worth is NOT based on your physical appearance. There are so many more attributes that make you an authentic human being. So, if you are struggling with your mental health or feel yourself comparing the way you look to the contestants, I urge you to take the pledge and join me in not watching the show.
IVC