Producers of Peacock’s most talked-about show of the summer, Love Island, have finally had enough. Following the constant backlash of contestants, producers have put out an anti-bullying statement condemning the online harassment received by contestants.
Upon reading the public service announcement, our first thought was, “Agreed. They are human beings.”
However, the statement might have had the opposite intended effect as it garnered mixed responses from viewers. A recurring question amongst fans was whether the bullying was a direct effect of the system built by producers. Some believe there is no justified reason for cyberbullying, while others insist that producers’ refusal to take control over what’s happening in the villa should bear the brunt of the blame.
“They can put out all the dont cyber bully messages they want but at the end of the day they created this situation,” one Reddit user said. “They can’t control what people say online but they can definitely control in what light these islanders are seen.”
The show, which originated in the UK, arrived on screens across the U.S. during the summer of 2019. Despite its five-year run, the summer show hit its peak during the sixth season in 2024. Stemming from a combination of magnetic friendships, sizzling romance, and jaw-dropping drama, it created a number of stars and increased the viewership, making it the most viewed Love Island USA season during its time, with 919.1 million minutes watched.
Previous contestants spoke about constant producer interference within the show with the intention of causing controversy. This information leaves the audience wondering if every aspect of the show is manufactured. It seems as if the statement was an opportunity for both the public and show runners to abandon accountability.
Anyone could argue that shipping a group of horny 20-somethings to a secluded island without technology, perception of time, or knowledge of civilization was bound to create destruction. However, audiences have abandoned normality, viewing contestants as fictional characters instead of actual people. Dating shows, at their core, portray a level of vulnerability that invites other humans to impose on their lives. It causes audiences to dissect their actions on a psychological level, instead of with an awareness that it is only entertainment.
While discussion amongst audiences is essential for ratings, there are certain lines that should not be crossed. One of those boundaries includes not intruding on their personal lives. The hate received by audiences has long passed the typical criticism on social media forums. It has now become borderline death threats and racist remarks.
Love Island producers have had their work cut out for them regarding this year’s contestants. Along with the removal of two contestants due to resurfaced content using racial slurs, the women at the forefront of the villa have received massive amounts of hate online. Before leaving the villa, Michelle “Chelley” Bissainthe, Huda Mustafa, and Olandria Carthen, who are informally regarded as the “OG islanders,” have each been met with endless bounds of death threats on their social media accounts.
While the producers have a responsibility to shift the unwarranted conversation, the audience is also partly to blame. It seems that viewers have forgotten to disconnect from their perception of the entrants’ identity. This forgetfulness creates an urge to remind viewers that hate taken too far has taken the lives of three former cast members.
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