‘It’s Not Fun Anymore’

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This upcoming season was destined to be spectacular. A year ago, “Love Island USA” had climbed to the top spot among reality TV shows on streaming platforms, accumulating a staggering 1 billion minutes of viewing within a week. After six long years, it had finally achieved the widespread popularity it had initially enjoyed in the U.K., starting in 2015. The American version was now as ubiquitous as it had been in Britain. Its success was attributed to exceptional casting and its fresh host, Ariana Madix from “Vanderpump Rules”. Moreover, season six provided conversations at the watercooler that were completely unrelated to the election or anything of significant substance, essentially revolving around attractive individuals with water bottles and microphones finding love in Fiji.

As a passionate moviegoer, I must admit that I wasn’t fully prepared for the explosive turn of events in season seven. Craving a shared cultural experience amidst our fragmented media landscape and weary from grim realities, we sought solace in the villa. However, instead of providing an escape, the season served as a stark reminder of the elusiveness of such an escape:

Before the season even premiered, there were murmurs among fans about a potential issue. It was discovered that one of the islanders had shared problematic TikToks containing racist, transphobic, and pro-Trump content. This raised serious concerns given that most of his fellow cast members identified as non-white.

Just two days into filming, another contestant was removed from the show after it was uncovered that she had used the N-word on a podcast.

These incidents made it clear that no matter where we turn, we can’t entirely escape the challenges and complexities of our world.

Over time, fan favorites from earlier episodes started to frustrate viewers due to their questionable conduct towards other contestants or apparent attempts to manipulate the rules of Love Island. Contestant Huda Mustafa, who faced criticism for verbally abusing her partner and some who thought she should’ve been removed from the show, was surprisingly saved from elimination not once but twice by the other contestants. The language used by many contestants this season had a TikTok-inspired, controversial edge, with men using negative tactics towards women and open manipulation. At the Casa Amor stage of the competition, when new potential partners are introduced to shake things up – usually serving as a test for strong relationships – none of the couples were exclusive yet. This led fans to question why so much power was given to the contestants this year to influence the game’s outcome, instead of the traditional method where one contestant chooses another to partner with. The elimination of Jeremiah Brown and Hannah Fields by their fellow islanders felt more like an attempt to split strong pairs that could become a threat later in the competition rather than a fair assessment of their performance on the show.

Olivia Banghart, a previous producer of reality TV shows and TikTok user, opines that numerous adjustments in production might stem from an attempt to recreate the viral sensation from last year, when the cast expelled Andrea Carmona from the island despite her deep bond with Rob Rausch. This action led to Rausch’s eye roll of sorrow being widely shared online. “Skilled producers can sometimes overthink and intervene excessively, leading to an overproduced feel,” Banghart explains. “The pressure they feel to recreate the magic of last year has become quite counterproductive to the essence of the show.” The main appeal from last season revolved around a group of women – Leah Kateb, JaNa Craig, and eventual winner Serena Page – whose strong friendship was the driving force. Their bond formed the core of the successful season and later led to their own spin-off series, “Beyond the Villa“, which aired following last night’s finale. Initially in this season, viewers accused cast members of either forcing the same sisterhood or using it as a weapon against other women who were interested in their partners.

Beyond the villa, a vocal segment of spectators developed unhealthy attachments to the contestants, relentlessly pestering their social media profiles to such an extent that the program was compelled to issue repeated warnings against sending menacing communications to the islanders or their loved ones. Just days before the finale, another contestant was dismissed for employing a racial slur in an Instagram post – a contestant who seemed to be part of the only authentic couple on the show. The final line of a lengthy Reddit thread summarizes the prevailing mood online: “It’s not enjoyable anymore.

As a devoted fan of reality TV shows, I’ve noticed that many viewers have criticized the shift in atmosphere at the villa, attributing it to the inclusion of social media influencers. When Cierra Ortega, who stepped into the show with almost 40,000 Instagram followers and connections with previous islanders, seemed unbothered by a housemate kissing her closest bond, some fans questioned whether her emotions were sincere or if she was more concerned about appearing as a “girl’s girl” or a “cool girl” to the cameras. However, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for casting teams, who are already overworked, to steer clear of influencers. As Banghart pointed out, “It’s actually very tough to find attractive individuals who are also fascinating and eager to be on reality TV.” It’s even harder to find such people who aren’t already popular social media personalities in their own right. Ace Greene, for instance, who entered the villa with over a million followers on TikTok, assured me he wasn’t there solely for the fame. “I didn’t want to come in with a mindset of ‘I’m going to entertain every moment of the season so I can gain more followers.’ I didn’t need that coming into here. I was looking for my person, and it looks like I found her,” he said, referring to his current partner, Chelley Bissainthe. Much like the strongest couples in the villa, they were eliminated before the finale – a decision made by the public, who had ranked them low in previous challenges. “It didn’t feel good to be at the bottom and see how America felt,” Bissainthe shared. “But we also took into account how our peers ranked us – and we were always ranked high.” They considered the opinions of people who knew the real 24-hour version of them, not just the one-hour edited version that viewers saw on TV.

One challenge with reality shows featuring individuals who have grown up online, regardless of their status as professional influencers, is the thorough examination of their digital histories. A casting director for dating television series (excluding Love Island) notes that this process often starts six months before filming, requiring cast members to maintain singleness, arrange time off work, and pass background checks, medical screenings, and mental health assessments. However, she emphasizes, “The social media review has become an extraordinarily significant barrier.” Shows frequently hire external agencies to handle this task, which involves scanning for any offensive language, derogatory or hateful comments towards any group, as well as allegations of misconduct. In the era of Trump 2.0, it’s become increasingly complex for casting and legal departments to distinguish between political views and bigotry. The casting director explains that each prospective cast member undergoes a review by senior executives, during which questionable social media posts are scrutinized: “For instance, ‘Here he wore a sombrero, but it was in 2016 and he was in Mexico with his Mexican friend. Was this intended to be offensive? Is it an isolated incident or a pattern?'”

Absolutely, no concentration of public opinions equals the influence of the entire internet, and some content may still go undetected. As demands escalate for a more rigorous selection process, it’s rumored that the makers of Love Island intend to expand their team to thoroughly investigate the past actions of potential cast members regarding any use or expression of racist, xenophobic, or sexist language or behavior. A source reportedly told The Sun that they are determined to avoid a repeat of this season’s events. (The production team for Love Island chose not to comment on this matter.)

It’s uncertain if this vetting process will prevent more subtle forms of offensive behavior compared to using derogatory language. For example, how should casting teams handle male participants who associate with violent misogynists or repost racist content? The case of TJ Palma, who followed Andrew Tate, and Austin Shepard, who shared racist videos, raises this question. It’s worth mentioning that both men have received more positive responses on social media compared to the women who were expelled from the show, even after Ortega’s apology video (worn during filming with an “EMPATHY” sweatshirt) for a racially insensitive remark she made on Instagram. Notably, viewers have been sending her death threats and reporting her family to ICE in response. There has long been a bias in favor of men over women, but particularly for women of color, who have faced the brunt of online hate directed at Love Island contestants.

If you’ve noticed an escalation in the aggressive behavior displayed by fans towards participants on reality TV shows, this latest development is unfortunately not a shock. On platforms like TikTok and Instagram, discussions about contestants’ actions have often degenerated into vicious personal attacks reminiscent of intense fan battles, yet these individuals lack the wealth, influence, or fame of prominent celebrities to manage such hostility effectively. Instead, the majority are ordinary young adults, many of whom haven’t even been in relationships before. According to Josh Lora, a writer and reality TV analyst, this phenomenon can be likened to the “Am I the Asshole” effect on television, where everything becomes a moral dilemma. He attributes the fervor of the fans partly to the pandemic’s impact on our social skills and our inability to discern between parasocial relationships and real ones. Lora suggests that we project ourselves onto the show’s characters, treating them as representations of people or situations in our own lives. “The number of people watching the show who say, ‘Huda should die,’ it’s astounding. Change channels. We’ve witnessed far worse,” Lora concludes.

Eli Rallo, a writer and TikTok user, expresses her worries over the intense personal relationships viewers have developed with the reality show contestants. “Given the hour we spend watching them each night, people tend to fill in gaps about their backgrounds, mental health issues, personality traits, and then become extremely upset and emotional when their actions don’t align with expectations or if they seem inconsistent,” she explains. She further comments that the scrutiny extends beyond holding contestants accountable for their behavior: “If a contestant doesn’t embody the ideal ‘girl friend’ who is both aspirational and relatable, yet flawless in terms of body image, food habits, and appearance without plastic surgery, they face backlash. It’s like the most powerful magnifying glass ever, and anyone who criticizes this scrutiny is seen as ungrateful and undeserving of their platform. I can hardly imagine what these women will encounter once they leave the villa, and I am concerned for their well-being.

The reality TV show “Love Island USA” and its host have frequently issued warnings and disclaimers during the season to discourage viewers from harassing contestants. This is crucial due to the show’s popularity, which has even extended to brands trying to cash in on the trend (for example, BuzzFeed had to apologize for a meme making light of a Black female contestant being punched). Despite having psychologists available on set, two contestants and one former host from “Love Island UK” have taken their own lives, while others have expressed regret for participating in the series.

Despite some challenges, the season has had its share of highlights. For instance, the growing bond between Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, two individuals who were romantically involved with others but found themselves in second place due to unexpected circumstances. Also, the catchy song created by the girls to support their fellow islanders, often referred to as the “Eat That Kitty” summer anthem. And let’s not forget the rise and rule of Amaya Espinal, better known as Amaya Papaya, who left the men in the villa bewildered but won over the hearts of many Americans with her quirky sayings like “gratituily,” “I’m not going to have a sugar rush anymore from the word candy you’re feeding me,” and “I’m not the book someone should be reading.” She and her partner, Bryan Arenales, emerged victorious last night. A popular tweet reads, “There’s no love on that island except for the love I found for Amaya.

The crucial issue here is whether any of the criticism towards Peacock has any impact, given its ability to capitalize on heated discussions and audience interaction as a success. Notably, viewership has persistently increased not just on Peacock but also online. By June’s end, it ranked as the second most-watched show on streaming platforms, with nearly 40% of that audience being newcomers to the series. TikTok views have surged by 232% compared to season six, while the Love Island app saw a record-breaking 1 million votes cast in just six minutes. Furthermore, the social media following for the cast members has grown in tandem; the mysterious figure behind Reality Report, who monitors reality TV social media accounts, notes that this year’s cast Instagram followers have reached a million faster than last year.

For over a decade, the British series Love Island has transcended the realm of mere reality television, becoming a must-watch event and an annual cultural phenomenon in the U.S., complete with its own ecosystem of gossip, memes, and sponsored content from influencers. As its popularity surges, so does the scrutiny from viewers who express their frustration online, demanding fewer influencer castings and stronger couples right from the start. Love Island USA is not on the brink of collapse, and it’s safe to assume that anyone passionate enough about the show to voice their discontent will return for the following season, just as die-hard fans of long-suffering sports teams have stuck around for generations. A disgruntled viewer of last night’s finale expressed their feelings on Twitter: “I’M FREEEEEE!!! WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY FUCKING LIFE.” So, see you in 2026!

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2025-07-14 18:56