Opinions

Love Island Lessons 2021

22 September 202121 September 2021By
Love Island Lessons 2021

The hit ITV2 series Love Island finally returned since the pandemic started but it was not the dreamy escapism, we were all hoping for. Opinions editor, Inayah Shah rounds up the biggest lessons from this years Love Island.

Since the winter Love Island series back in early 2020, myself and most of the nation have been patiently awaiting a new series of the hit dating show where young singles head to Majorca to find ‘love’ (or in Lucinda’s case, a Boohoo deal.) When the news broke that Love Island was making its first post-pandemic return, I was excited for a long summer of love, heartbreak, and drama. Here are the lessons we learnt from this summer’s Love Island:

1. Shannon Singh’s quick dumping was not the power move ITV were hoping for:

There is undoubtedly a cruelty in what happened to Shannon within two days of being in the Love Island villa. After Chloe recoupled with Shannon’s partner Aaron, she was immediately dumped off the island and we never saw her again. I had suspicions she would return to the show in Casa Amor but there’s been more press interviews with Shannon than TV time. Not only was Shannon a step forward in terms of diversity and representation, but she also seemed genuinely kind and wanting to find love. It was unfortunate that she didn’t get the opportunity she deserved to really participate in the show and was then further humiliated in the reunion show. It’s incredibly disappointing that after ITV2’s advocacy for caring for contestant’s mental health, they allowed this saga with Shannon to continue in a bitter way.

2. We don’t need the cash or love twist:

I want to keep this one short and sweet because I am probably in the majority when I say – the cash or love twist is useless. After the winning couple has been announced, they then both open two envelopes – one that reads £0 and £50,000. The person who has the £50,000 card then decides whether they want to keep the money for themselves or split it equally with their partner. However, the likeliness that after an intense summer of love and then becoming champions someone would take the money for themselves is incredibly low. It would take someone incredibly brave or stupid to get to the final and take the money. They should simply rethink this idea at the end of the show – or get rid of it entirely.

3. We are not doing enough for men’s mental health

The ‘Mad Movies’ episode of Love Island replayed back some clips to the islanders during the show, revealing conversations between people that rocked couples throughout the villa. Teddy, coupled up with Faye, unfortunately received most of the backlash within the villa despite Jake’s ‘lads on tour’ antics and Liam’s three-way kiss. After Faye already showed her hostility and insecurities upon Teddy’s return from Casa Amor, it was no surprise that she “lost her head” once she saw a clip of Teddy and ex-islander Clarisse exchanging conversations over their “sexual tension”.  

The length and ferocity of Teddy and Faye’s one-sided argument lasted several days and took up much coverage of the show. The episode featuring the immediate aftermath of ‘Mad Movies’ was flippantly branded – ‘Faye lashes out at Teddy’ – an underreaction to the reality of how severe the argument was. In previous episodes, Faye has been praised for her fiery, feisty character which Teddy has continued to persevere with despite being on the receiving end of several of her outbursts.  However, this episode just went a step too far.

ITV are regular advocates of caring for mental health, as previous contestants have publicly struggled with life in the spotlight coming out of the villa – something a person can never truly be prepared to cope with, especially alone. As you can imagine, I found it bizarre when Faye’s argument with Teddy received over 25,000 Ofcom complaints and yet nothing was done in response to her behaviour. She created a visibly uncomfortable environment for both the contestants and audiences and rather than being calmed down, she continued to rant around the villa with Teddy at the receiving end of most of her arguments. I was disappointed in the approach ITV took in handling Faye’s outburst and the lack of recognition of how unacceptable that argument was. There are two arguments to be noted:

1. If a man had spoken in the same manner Faye did to Teddy, there would have been far more backlash and stricter repercussions for Teddy. Men have been removed from the villa for a lot less.

2. There should have been a bigger response from ITV towards the incident and more provisions should have been in place to protect both Teddy and the audience, and even Faye from overreacting and behaving the way she did.

 

4. Women of colour deserve better

Please ITV, stop sending in men whose type is tall, blonde, and white when there are women of colour in the villa. This year, several of the male contestants expressed an interest in Black islanders such as Rachel and Kaz before having their ‘heads turned’ by white women.

For example, upon Rachel’s arrival into the villa, Brad (who was desperate to be saved by Rachel ahead of Chuggs) insisted that Rachel was “exactly my type on paper” and what he was looking for…that was until Lucinda came in of course.

Now, I am not criticising men for having a ‘type’, I understand people have their preferences in who they date and its down to a matter of opinion. However, constantly having men who only fancy white women is not only humiliating for women of colour – it is demoralising for them and the audience. It champions white women as the epitome of beauty and sends out inaccurate and frankly offensive messaging for islanders and viewers alike. For all contestants to have an equal, fair, and fulfilling chance of finding love, the producers must put in contestants who are attracted to more than just one ‘type’. A show that is elevated and successful because of its contestants of colour, should be given respect in return.

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5. Liberty’s Self Love

My last but not favourite lesson – Liberty’s discovery of self-love. Liberty was originally coupled up with Jake from the first day, in the first episode. They made all the big moves first – being exclusive, becoming boyfriend and girlfriend and being the first couple to make it so close and break up just days before the final. It was heartbreaking, watching someone fall in love only to have their heartbroken but Liberty’s realisation was monumental in her discovery of self-love and has set an example to people up and down the country. It took her a while. The occasional prompt from her friends, some messy Love Island challenges and noticing Jake’s behaviour change constantly. It was tough but Liberty emerged from the show single, but loved up – she chose herself. 

Liberty decided that she would not allow Jake to continue taking her for granted or to accept behaviour she probably wouldn’t accept on the outside world. To have such a clear perspective in an isolated environment is mature and important and sets a new standard for self love in the villa. People can get lost in their relationships and while Liberty may have for a while, she comes out putting herself first – above any brand deals or the opportunity to be a Love Island finalist. Liberty underestimates how powerful she is and how powerful her actions were. She has shown people across the nation that you have the strength to choose yourself and not accept or settle something you don’t deserve. This may be what someone needs to help them leave a relationship or see themselves in a different light. If Liberty takes anything from her time in the villa, I hope it’s her new discovered strength, power and ability to overcome the bad times on the island and thrive during the good times.

Overall, Love Island 2021 was perhaps not their best series but gave us, as an audience, a lot to learn. The pandemic has made us much more aware of the power of kindness and unity and maybe a drama filled summer just didn’t hit the mark for us this time. However, it was refreshing and comforting to have a familiar show back (perhaps to look after our Euros 2020 wounds) and to give us much needed entertainment after a whole year without it. I look forward to seeing a better and hopefully Covid free Love Island in the upcoming months.