Every summer, millions tune in to watch connections form and love unfold in Fiji. Love Island USA is a dating reality show with over 18.4 million streams, according to Peacock. First airing in 2015, Love Island started as a UK reality series that follows a group of contestants called Islanders. Four years later, it was adapted into Love Island USA.
The show appeals to a broad audience; however, the majority of the audience is 30 and younger, as reported by NBCUniversal. The majority of the viewers were introduced through various platforms, including TikTok. Malin McMeans, a sophomore, found Love Island this same way.
“I was introduced to Love Island when I found it on TikTok, and I was watching edits,” McMeans said.
McMeans has been following the show since Season 6, which aired last summer. She believes there is a drastic difference between Seasons 6 and 7 in how the Islanders interact with each other.
“This season, I feel like they were more fake, and they didn’t understand what they were on the island for,” McMeans said. “Last season, I feel like the girls didn’t have too much of a problem with each other; they weren’t really arguing with each other or beefing.“
Another viewer, sophomore Destiny Craig, also believes the show has its own flaws.
“I feel as if Love Island goes to show how there’s a thin line between real love and just for the show. Some people may come for you and your relationship when it’s broadcast in bold letters,”Craig said.
In discussing the impact of influences on personal relationships, sophomore Christa Dodson also goes on to say how it can negatively impact relationships.
“As a whole, I think it shows how people on the outside can affect your relationship on the inside, and how others’ actions affect the two as a whole,” Dodson said.
Despite the many controversies that occurred during this season, Love Island viewers are still left excited and waiting for the upcoming season this summer.
A major movement within the Love Island fandom was the coupling of Nicolas Vanseteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, also known as “Nicolandria.” Both Islanders spent the majority of the show coupled up with other people, but found each other after being eliminated during Casa Amor—a time when new contestants, Bombshells, are introduced for recoupling. Their elimination angered many fans, pushing them to go to social media with their outrage. Their posts did not go unheard by the Love Island team, prompting the two to return, but this time on their own private island to explore their own connections. To its success, the couple finished in second place. Nicolandria has grown a large fanbase from their time on the villa.
“I do like me some Nicolandria. I didn’t see the couple coming, but do I stan it? Indeed, I do,” Craig said.
An Islander who brought a lot of controversy was Huda Mustafa, specifically in her relationship with Chris Seeley. The pair coupled up after Casa Amor, for strategic reasons, to save their spots on the show. However, as they spent time together, Mustafa began to show genuine interest. The couple faced some challenges but still reached the finale, only to decide to part ways that very night.
Their split led to discussions among fans about fake relationships for the sake of the show. McMeans has also seen this phenomenon of artificial relationships with her peers.
“I’m ready for the next season, but they will not stand a chance, especially with this generation,” McMeans said.
Regardless of reservations, fans of the show are already looking forward to next summer’s season.
“I do love my fair share of Love Island. It’s something I can look forward to watching in the midst of the summer,” said Craig.
