Following the recent suspected suicide of of Love Island star Mike Thalassitis, the public, the press, and former Love Islanders, have all lashed out at the programme’s producers for not supporting contestants after they leave the show.
The attack prompted ITV to send The Sun newspaper a letter detailing the new safeguards they have in place, which include the offer of therapy to all islanders and not only those that reach out to the show after leaving. The letter includes the statement: “ITV is fighting to save the lucrative franchise after ex-stars complained of zero aftercare.”
Given the allegations and backlash regarding not just the death of Thalassitis, but also Sophie Gradon last year, one question worth trying to answer is: “Why do people go on the show in the first place?”
Here are the reasons given by some of the 2018 contestants.
Wes Nelson: “I’m looking for a partner, I’m looking for someone I can settle down with and tame my wild lifestyle.”
Josh Mair: “I want to find love, I want to come out with a girl who I look at and think how the hell have I done that?”
Samira Mighty: “I’m looking for an experience that I’ve never had before. Loads of fun, the opportunity to meet a really nice guy, or even a best friend and the chance to find myself.”
Dean Overson: “I’m newly single and I just want to get out there and have some fun!”
And in 2017?
Gabrielle Allen: “I’m looking for love! Why would you not want to go away for a good time, in the sunshine, to hang out with some fun people, and maybe find the love of your life?”
Tyne-Lexy Clarson: “The appeal is giving me the opportunity to find love and make new friends, but ultimately find myself a decent boyfriend who is better than the ones I’ve already had. I feel like my love life has been stuck in hell.
Chloe Crowhurst: “I want to meet someone nice. I think it’s a nice opportunity to go to the Island where you have no idea who’s in there and you have no choice but to get to know people and give them a chance.”
Jessica Shears: “I’m genuinely looking for love, I’m not going on it for any other reason. I want to find someone to settle down with.”
Do we need to read any more? Not really. The refrain is boring and repetitive. Looking for love comes top of the list, with the runner up reasons including: fun, new experiences, and “finding myself”.
But are they really looking for love, or a chance to get famous and get rich? Going on Love Island can turn an ordinary individual into a star. Even those who leave early often get brand deals and other opportunities to earn a lot of money. More troublingly a lot of them also become accidental role models.
So the incentives are enormous, and it’s an individual’s choice whether to take part or not. Even if they have been talent scouted by an agent they can turn the deal down if they want. So why are past contestants and the public suddenly heaping blame on the producers? They didn’t force anyone to take part.
Not that I have much sympathy for the producers ether. Their statement makes it quite clear that they are only offering aftercare because they don’t want to risk losing a show that is so ‘lucrative.’
Insincerity all round I’s say.
