With the enticing allure of attractive contestants hopeful for finding love in the summer, Love Island sparked global interest in its release in 2015. Under intense public scrutiny, each islander enters the villa, in exchange for fame and following from fans on the outside world. However, since the show’s premiere, fans’ conversations have turned to shed light on perhaps the darker shadow of the reality TV show, making everyone question whether the fame is worth the cost. In this article, I’ll discuss the hidden pressures of public scrutiny, and the damaging repercussions of these on islanders, highlighting the necessity of considering all people in the online space.
Whilst the villa itself may seem like a golden paradise, it’s essential to remember that it is also a reality TV set. Conversations and characterisations are micromanaged by teams of producers as well as edited after filming. This reflects the importance of holding holistic views of reality TV, and considering that the media you are consuming has been tailored for your attention, and it merely exists only under the pretence of ‘reality’ TV. Whilst adding to the allure of the show, this manipulation of reality perpetuates false narratives and divides the audience from seeing the true play-out of events. Thus, these narratives take part in villainizing ordinary actions to create drama, which can negatively impact contestants journeys both inside and outside of the villa.
However, the real-world consequences of reality TV often linger far beyond when the cameras stop rolling. After filming, contestants are often defined by their actions in the villa, diminishing their identity to the character they play in reality TV. Whilst this only represents a small sample of their behaviour, contestants remark that their lives are forever changed, and appearances tarnished by their Love Island experiences. This is extremely relevant today, with the newest Love Island: All Stars 2 series finishing just weeks ago, which demonstrated how islanders’ personalities and even relationships are only perceived by what they showed on the show. Being given no opportunity to change, or convey anything other than what is chosen for the edit reflects a deeper struggle for islanders’ well-being, which can be degraded through these labels. This reinforces the importance of mandatory aftercare for all islanders once they have left the show, to help them navigate through the completely new social sphere. Notably, the tragic losses of former contestants such as Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon have supported the fight for this mandatory aftercare, after both contestants took their own lives shortly after their Love Island appearances. This illuminates the real-life impacts of the production of reality TV and their audiences, putting pressure on viewers to be more considerate of contestants, and avoid falling into the trap of dehumanising them as characters, instead of real people, with real lives.
The real responsibility here falls on viewers, to change the narrative, and change lives. Contestants from all backgrounds suffer through this reduction of identity into TV personas, yet mindfulness from the audience can help reduce this, and return reality TV into a more educational and safe space for contestants. Following the finale of All Stars 2, make sure to consider that actions presented by the islanders on the show should not necessarily define your view of them. Mistakes are inevitable in high-pressure environments and are especially aided by producers who seek to blur the lines between entertainment and genuine human experiences. Thus, this blog calls for accountability and more ‘reality’ from producers and networks which strive for a level of entertainment which is only achievable through the sacrifice of contestants’ mental health.
Simple ways to help this as viewers are to assist the cultural shift away from gossip and drama, and towards consideration and understanding towards contestants following the shows. Try taking a step back and remind yourself of times when you may have made mistakes, and consider that these were most likely not aired on national TV or exposed so anybody can replay them as they please. Remember the psychological toll of the isolation, restriction and pressure of the Love Island Villa and fairly judge contestants with these factors in mind. All in all, this can help create a supportive environment where shows many adore such as Love Island can thrive and be safe and even beneficial for its contestants.