Love Island finalists. Faye Winter, Teddy Soares, Chloe Burrows Toby Aromolaran, Kaz Kamwi, Tyler Cruickshank, Millie Court and Liam Reardon Image via Twitter @LoveIsland
‘Love Island’ UK: LGBTQI+ contestants pose ‘logistical difficulty’
Fans of ‘Love Island’ UK have wondered when the show will feature LGBTQI+ contestants. The show’s bosses detail why it’s a difficulty.
Love Island finalists. Faye Winter, Teddy Soares, Chloe Burrows Toby Aromolaran, Kaz Kamwi, Tyler Cruickshank, Millie Court and Liam Reardon Image via Twitter @LoveIsland
Love Island is one of the hottest reality shows to come out of the United Kingdom. The show has had an LGBTQI+ contestant in the past but ITV bosses say the challenge with having more LGBTQI+ contestants is the format of the show.
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LGBTQI+ CONTESTANTS AND ‘LOGISTICAL DIFFICULTY’
In anticipation of the seventh season of the show, ITV commissioner Amanda Stavri was asked by RadioTimes whether fans would see more inclusivity regarding LGBTQI+ contestants.
Before the season seven contestants were announced, she shared that with time, Love Island hopes to see greater inclusivity and diversity. She however mentioned that the challenge with LGBTQI+ contestants is the format of the show.
“I think the main challenge is regarding the format of Love Island. There’s a sort of logistical difficulty, because although Islanders don’t have to be 100% straight, the format must sort of give Islanders an equal choice when coupling up.”
ITV BOSS KEVIN LYGO ON LGBTQI+ REPRESENTATION
Speaking on the success of the popular reality show, ITV Boss Kevin Lygo said he doesn’t think it has peaked yet. He did however give credit to Love Island producers for making the show during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On LGBTQI+ contestants he said: “Love Island is a particular thing, it’s about boys and girls coupling up so if you want to do a gay version, or widen it, it is discussed and we haven’t yet found a way that would make it suitable for that show”.
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‘LOVE ISLAND’ SEASON SEVEN
Season seven of the show came to an end on Monday, 23 August after a whirlwind of a season. Hosted by Laura Whitmore, the show featured an OnlyFans star, a fashion and beauty blogger and a Physical education teacher amongst other lively contestants.
Liam Reardon and Millie Court were the couple who walked away with the £50 000 (roughly R1 million) prize.
ITV shared that 400 000 viewers tuned in to watch the live finalé.
