Many people have been criticising Love Island for how their contestants are acting, and people have become obsessed with examining everything that comes out of their mouth.
From race, to ageism, relationships and body image, Love Island has surprised us on how it can touch on so many social issues without even trying to be a tiny bit political.
Viewers have taken to Twitter to express how some situations have made them feel, and how the contestants and producers should be more careful about what they put on national television.
One of the first things that came to light during this season was body image. Once the season started, viewers weren’t so happy with the diversity that was in the villa, size-wise. Although this is a reality TV show, many people feel the show isn’t reflecting the reality of body image, but in fact, they’re making the issue worse, for both men and women.
We live in a real world were some women and men aren’t all white or straight or have a built or skinny body. This show has no diversity or sense of reality to it, i understand that it’s tv a show and this is what they deem to be perfect but that’s not real life. #LoveIsIand
— Ivy Clarke (@IvyBlueClarke) June 17, 2018
Oh great you’re adding more skinny white young girls to the villa - because there’s not enough of them already - seriously where’s your diversity! You have a racism and body image problem @carolineflack1 @LoveIsland #LoveIsland
— DBW (@dylanburywood) June 16, 2018
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Race is another topic that this Love Island series has shined a light on. Love Island fans, and non-fans, have been stating that Love Island is a clear example of white privilege and western beauty ideals, that don't reflect the diversity of our society. With Samira and Alex both in the same position, people are frustrated at the attention Alex is getting, along with help and pity from his fellow housemates, whereas Samira hasn't been shown the same help, or gotten the same reaction from the outside. The reasons for this are unclear, but people have taken to Twitter to explain what they think on the situation.
Everyones going off on samira but its been weeks and shes found no one. No one is rooting for her, no one is offering to give her a hair cut only Alex. She is in the same position man, She hasn't moaned or anything just waiting for her man. That might not happen now. #loveisland
— yasmin (@yass_hassann) June 18, 2018
Black women are always demonised on reality tv for ignorant reasons. Hannah and Deborah off BB, Joanna off the Apprentice, Stacy and Tiffany of CBB, Alexandra when she was on Strictly, now Samira off Love Island. The devil is in full force for our kind.
— Al (@alokoampa) June 18, 2018
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#LoveIsland White Privilege. Don’t think Caucasian women or men are aware of the benefits/damage of predominantly western/European beauty ideals being held up on a pedestal for centuries ! & Samira has gone through the same experience as Alex, anyone that bothered ? Seems not...
— TheDigestionDiva (@Taytaaaaaaay) June 18, 2018
With Laura being the oldest of the group, and always making it clear that she is aware of that fact, this is another social issue that Love Island have somehow touched on without even thinking. In this example, it's a mix of sexism and ageism, with a lot of viewers not being happy with how people are treating Laura because of her age, and Wes going for 'a younger version' of Laura.
The ‘banter’ surrounding Laura’s age is the grim reality that women get more invisible as they age. She’s only 29, if it was a man it wouldn’t be happening. I said what I said. #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/maN60N7WlI
— Zoë (@zoe__elena) June 18, 2018
MARCEL WAS 31 LAST YEAR AND NO-ONE CALLED HIM A GRANDAD! very ageist towards Laura ngl, she's not even that old and is more beautiful than many girls #loveisland
— mia (@pxgethirteen) June 18, 2018
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With all of this, along with the issues that circle any relationship and how we treat one another, Love Island has somehow become a social experiment that we all gather to examine and discuss together, and maybe learn something more meaningful than how to trick someone into falling in love with you for money. After only being on air for 2 weeks, Love Island has already shook the outside world, and brought a lot of much needed conversation to the table. Maybe it's not the most brain-numbing show after all.
