We've all noticed how Love Island has produced some pretty unrealistic body standards, but most of the time our focus is on the women.
Each woman on the show is noticeably slim, and young girls have low self-esteem issues as it is without seeing the exact same physique on every TV channel.
What the focus hasn't always been on is the problem with muscular men and the lack of 'dad bods' in sight. The reality show is now being blamed for giving young boys body image issues too.
Stereotypically 'perfect' bodies on the show has led many to feel that only this type of body will be able to find love, or even lust. It's a hugely damaging notion that's being perpetuated/
According to analysts from the Children’s Society, boys are catching up with girls in the numbers of them suffering from low confidence and self-esteem.
Its annual 'Good Childhood' report revealed that over 200,000 children in the UK alone are unhappy with their lives as a whole, with looks playing a large role in their moods.
Shockingly, one-in-12 boys aged 10 to 15 are unhappy with their appearance.
Richard Crellin, policy and research manager in mental health and wellbeing at the Children’s Society, told The Times:
"They talked a lot about the pressure to go the gym and have a great body. They talked about the men they see on social media and Love Island … about how people are always working out on that show."
One teen in the report said he felt pressure to live up to the built men he watched on TV "You see all these models, you see all these weightlifters, body-builders, and you look at yourself and you're like, 'I look like a stick.'
"I feel like we’re exposed to a lot more so we are less secure about our appearance."
Image: ITV/REX
Love Island bosses vetoed having plus-sized Islanders, causing frustration among fans and body activists alike.
Speaking to The Sun, the show's boss Richard Cowles said: “We try and be as representative and diverse as possible but first and foremost it’s an entertainment show.
"It’s about people wanting to watch and them reacting and falling in love with another. Yes, we want to be as representative as possible but we also want them to be attracted to one another."
This basically implies that plus-sized people won't attract any other contestants, so that comment didn't exactly go down well…
None other than the Queen of Longford, Maura Higgins, will join Ryan Tubridy on the new season of The Late Late Show this week.
The Love Island star is set to join iconic singer Sinead O'Connor and hilarious comedian and actress Aisling Bea on the couch.
Ryan Tubridy revealed the opening episode features “a selection of people representing Ireland", telling RTE Guide;
“Sinead O’Connor, an icon; Aisling Bea, a new superstar knocking them out in the UK; and Maura Higgins from Love Island, a pop-culture phenomenon. It’s running the gamut, and that’s where The Late Late excels.”
"We’re also hoping to make a nod towards all the people who’ve served this country in uniform, which needs to be done. Just to say thanks. And where else can you do that, but on the Late Late."
Tubs has previously hinted that the Longford lass will join him on the sofa, saying to the Irish Mirror last week;
“I was watching it (Love Island) over the shoulders of youngsters no but like my feeling about that is even if you didn’t watch it, you know that even when it was going down the toilet and people were saying it was boring and it was the worst series of it, what did it take?"
“It took an Irish woman from Longford to change it all. She goes on and suddenly the show comes alive. And not even just that it was also won by an Irish man.”
This year will mark Tubridy's 11th year as host of the show;
“As of midnight when we get to the end of the show on September 6, I’ll be the second longest-serving host of the Late Late Show which is a strange mantel but a very big honour in my life.”
Maura is currently taking a break from her appearances at events after admitting via her Instagram stories that she's completely "shattered" and "burnt out".
Molly-Mae Hague won't be back in Ireland anytime soon, according to The Clare Echo. Remember when she took a private plane to an underage disco in Co. Longford? We do.
The Queens Nightclub in Ennis announced during the airing of Love Island that the social media influencer would appear for a meet-and-greet in August.
Tickets had been on sale for the event, but the nightclub have now confirmed that Molly-Mae has postponed her trip indefinitely to Co. Clare.
The Ennis venue wrote; “Due to unforeseen circumstances Love Island’s Molly-Mae Hague has had to postpone her appearance at Queens Nightclub Ennis this Saturday night.
"She would like to apologies to all her fans. Full refunds available on tickets already purchased from both eventbrite.com and Kaffeine," they added.
"Stay tuned to our social Media Accounts for further updates. Apologies for any inconvenience caused."
Image: Queens Nightclub Ennis/Facebook
Molly-Mae has been dating professional boxer Tommy Fury since mid-way through the ITV reality show, but is currently undergoing photoshoots in Los Angeles.
The star has yet to comment on the postponement of her nightclub appearance, after winners Greg O'Shea and Amber Gill spent the weekend in the county to see the Cliffs of Moher.
You're missing out on some Wild Atlantic Way beauty, gal. Your loss, we say.
Attention to all the "lovely young ladies" in Ireland; Love Island's Curtis Pritchard is hosting a meet-and-greet in Dublin next month. Now's your chance to meet the professional dancer.
If you're a big fan of Maura Higgins' man and want to get up close and personal with him, he's jetting to Ireland for a special appearance to meet fans.
The ex-Dancing with the Stars Ireland professional and current The Greatest Dancer judge will be the special guest at an event in Wrights Cafe Bar, Swords on Friday September, 6.
Announcing the news on Facebook, organisers said: "Meet & Greet Love Island's Curtis Pritchard at Wrights Cafe Bar!
"Join us 6th September from 8pm until late for the best late bar and DJ in town and Love Island's very own Curtis Pritchard! Get your photo with Curtis and party the night away."
Wrights Cafe Bar also told fans to book a table at the venue ASAP before they're booked up; "Tables will go FAST!"
Love Island 2019 winner Amber Gill travelled to Ireland over the weekend to meet Greg O'Shea's family and friends, just two weeks after the pair won the ITV reality show.
They seemed as loved up and as ever, staying in the luxurious Dromoland Castle before visiting the Cliffs of Moher in county Clare .
The couple were also spotted at the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final watching Tipperary beat Kilkenny in Croke Park on Sunday.
Looks like we'll be seeing plenty more of Maura on our screens pretty soon, thank Goddess.
Maura Higgins is set to land her own reality show after TV bosses were impressed by her attitude and personality on ITV's Love Island.
The fiesty nature of the 28-year-old former grid girl has meant that she's become a breakout star of the villa, but Curtis Pritchard won't be needed for her new show.
Curtis himself has been named as the receptionist for the next series of The Greatest Dancer on BBC, while Maura is joining ITV's list of big stars.
While the producers aren't offering any couples a spin-off show (we want more GREG) due to fears of the partners splitting up before filming finishes
Maura made a flying start on This Morning as an agony aunt, but plans to challenge the star with a number of activities are in the works.
The Sun reports that there are plans for Maura to tick off a number of items from a 'turning-30 bucket list', which will see her take on everything from bungee-jumping to pottery making.
She's the no-nonsense, straight talking Love Islander, armed with an array of quips and sound advice for her friends, and now @MauraHiggins is here to answer your questions on love and relationships!
An inside source told The Sun that Maura is "great on screen so bosses want to create a platform where viewers can still get their fix."
Producers are "focusing on Maura" as "no-one really knows what the future holds" for her relationship with Curtis. Maura has "ratings-winner potential," and ITV are "ironing out details at the moment."
Maura's fanny flutters are getting her far in her career, it seems.
The fifth series of Love Island may have ended, but life is only just beginning for the contestants on the outside.
The Islanders have returned to reality and are gathering that coin with sponsorships, TV shows and public appearances in clubs.
This years' group are charging quite the high amount to grace an event with their presence, and we're a bit shook.
According to The Sun, Curtis Pritchard and Tommy Fury . are the top earners, charging 10,000 pounds each to attend an event.
It was all smiles when they returned to the UK, but who's going to bring the drama tonight? Love Island: The Reunion at 9pm on @ITV2#LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/3Zgoi8pEfo
The publication contacted the agents of 2019's contestants to enquire about an appearance at a 21st birthday party, and boxer Tommy was able to charge a whopping £10k for a two-hour appearance.
The runner up of the show has people to see and things to do, and time is money after all. According to The Sun, professional dancer Curtis charges the same, but also requests a driver and a hotel.
Villa villain Michael Griffiths, who didn't even make the final, charges £2,500 per hour to show up.
Sherif Lanre, who was kicked out of the villa after a mere nine days, charges a shocking £5,000 for appearances.
Maybe because of the mystery surrounding him, but that seems like ridiculous money to us. Yewande Biala also charges £5,000, while winners Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea have yet to share an appearance fee.
The pair have the £50,000 cash prize, so they're not exactly begging for money. The cast need to make cash before their celebrity status shrinks, though.
Before the charming rugby player swept her off her feet, the beautician had her heart broken by Michael Griffiths after his head was turned during the Casa Amor segment.
Despite choosing Joanna Chimonides, he later came crawling back to Amber but she decided to couple up with Greg and later won the £50,000 prize.
Amber has already landed her next big TV gig by taking part in the ITV ice skating show, according to The Sun.
Ex-Islanders Kem Cetinay and Wes Nelson appeared on the programme before, so she won't be the first cast member to keep up her reality roots.
A source told The Sun: "The Dancing On Ice casting team are delighted with the decision to snap up Amber.
"Love Island contestants always do really well on the series as they are still fresh in everyone’s minds." Her 'gutsy' personality would make for good viewing.
The show returns in January, and Amber will start rehearsing later this year. Some are predicting that her romance with Greg won't last long enough for him to be in the audience at the live shows.
Islander Anton Danyluk recently admitted that he thought Greg was "too nice" for Amber, and that they'd be the first couple to split up.
An ITV spokesperson told Mirror Online that it was "too early to confirm" any of the participants for the 2020 series of Dancing on Ice.
It's fair to say that Maura Higgins has completed the best 'hot girl summer' possibly since records began.
The Longford beauty stormed into the Love Island villa, ignored the haters, expressed her views and positive attitudes to sex and nabbed Curtis Pritchard without a single f*ck to give.
We have to applaud the woman, she truly is Maura D. Higgins: Queen of Ireland.
We spoke to the legend herself at the latest Bellamianta event, which showcased stunning tinted self tan mouse, skin perfecting illuminating bronzing powder and flawless filter body makeup. The reality star has been a brand ambassador with the beauty brand for a while now, and it's fitting that it's her first event since exiting the villa.
Speaking about life since leaving the show, Maura gushes about her professional dancing beau, saying that they've barely spent any time apart. The chaotic life of newfound fame must be difficult to navigate, but she's making time for Curtis;
“I’ve not really got time to process anything, it’s just been so overwhelming and it’s just been hectic since getting out. Curtis and I have only spent one night apart, we’ve been with each other non-stop”.
The 28-year-old has landed a slot on This Morning, with her own segment involving Maura as an agony aunt. The Thursday show went down a storm, with UK viewers adoring her no nonsense approach to dating.
The star was asked about Curtis' recent interview where his bisexuality was mentioned for the first time;
“You can’t believe everything you read in the papers. I don’t read the papers, he doesn’t read the papers. We’re not going to start reading the papers now just because we’re in them. People’s opinions do not matter to us. We’re very very happy.”
Despite the fact that Maura has been with a woman, she denied claims of her own bisexuality;
“I wouldn’t, I’m 100% into guys. It was a drunken, crazy night. A bit of fun. It was a work friend.”
The grid girl's start in the Love Island villa wasn't easy, with Tommy eventually choosing Molly Mae Hague over Maura. The aftercare programme this year has escalated massively, and Maura said she was warned about the press;
"They told me at the beginning that there was a bit of hate for the way I went about things with Tommy. I don’t care what people think of me, I think everyone knows that by now. I wasn’t expecting the response I got.
“I’m so opinionated and I did expect to come out to a lot of hate. That’s the truth. I didn’t expect to last in there as long as I did. I thought I’d be out in the first three days. To get to the final, I just couldn’t believe it. And then coming out, the support has been amazing. I mean…Amy Schumer! I almost fell off my chair, that’s the truth. I still can’t believe it”.
Higgins was praised for her open and positive views on female sexuality in particular, and has become so infamous for her "fanny flutters" that even US comedian Amy Schumer professed her love. The incident with Tom Walker was what brought the entire UK's attention onto Maura, after she slammed his less than chivalrous behaviour. With the line; "Let's see if she's all mouth or not", Tom brought Storm Maura into the weather forecast and we LIVED for it.
“Just because a woman talks about sex, doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. I was never going to go into the hideaway and sleep with Tom. Making that horrible comment and assumption was out of order.”
She described her filter-free life growing up in Longford, where she could freely talk about sex with her family;
“I can talk to my mother about anything. I mean anything. I’d never be ashamed to talk about sex. When I’m talking about sex in the villa, I was so surprised with how people’s reactions were. They were so shocked, but it’s a natural thing. We all have sex. I had sex in my own house with the parents there. The way I was brought up was that you could talk about anything. I didn’t have to filter anything growing up, with my family. It’s normal to me”.
She had some strong words to say about former Islander Belle Hassan describing Maura as 'demanding' for always 'needing a cigarette'. The Longford native said Belle was "talking sh*t," and we had to laugh.
When asked if there is any truth to the make-up artist's comments, Maura said: "Absolutely not.
"They would of never ever, ever heard me looking for cigarettes. So what you do, if you want to go for a smoke, you stand at the front door, and when the gallery see you on the camera, they speak through and say 'off you go', so it's not like you're in the villa with everyone else going 'I want a cigarette!' You don't say that. You just go to the front door where nobody is, so they never would of seen me. That's absolute rubbish."
She also denied any claims of witnessing Anton and Molly-Mae's lack of communication in the villa.
The Scottish gym owner said himself and the influencer were never mates and didn't speak in the villa, and even unfollowed her on Instagram.
NEWS: Anton has revealed why he unfollowed Molly-Mae on Instagram:
“When I was in the villa my management followed every islander. On the outside I noticed Molly-Mae on my newsfeed, so I unfollowed her. I have nothing against her, we just didn’t speak in the villa.”#LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/YNdw9GYrsz
Maura says that everyone spoke in the villa, so we're calling his bullsh*t;
“I’m unsure, because he said that they didn’t speak in the villa. I never noticed it, everyone spoke in the villa. Him unfriending her, I don’t know what’s going on. I never saw any issue.”
Finally, we had to ask her about which Islander she'd unfollow, if she could; "Jordan. Absolutely Jordan" she said, without hesitation.
Love Island star Amy Hart has slammed BBC Radio 1 for "trivialising" her heartbreak after it mentioned a potential new prank involving Curtis Pritchard.
The ex-Islander was dumped emotionally by the professional dancer on the show, following which she left the villa.
Radio 1's Chris Stark posted in a now-deleted tweet; "Would you like the chance to be dumped by Curtis from Love Island? We've had an idea for the show where we can offer you a fake dumping."
Stark added; "Keen to do a few of these with loads of you. So if you'd like to know what it's like to be dumped by Curtis message me back now…"
Amy posted a screenshot of the post on her own Instagram Stories, writing: "One of the replies was 'it's going to be funny, get him to email in'. I thought we were being conscious of mental health these days?"
She added: "I'm all for a laugh but I just feel that trivialising something that so many people resonated with and turning it into a laughing matter isn't entertainment."
Radio 1 has since told Digital Spy in a statement: "We will have Curtis as a guest on the show and with any live radio, ideas and plans change and this feature isn't something we'll be doing."
Amy reunited with Curtis and Maura Higgins on Love Island's Aftersun Reunion last weekend, and it was mighty uncomfortable to watch.
The former air hostess has been a huge success story since leaving the villa, with audiences praising her for promoting positive mental health practice.
Anyone who fat-shames Love Island-ers should be locked in a room with Lizzo twerking to Juice on repeat until they have learned their lesson…
Here’s why:
Each and every one of us has experienced body-shaming at some point in our lives. Any of us who have been fat will have come across a myriad of imaginative insults that tell us it is wrong to take up more than our fair share of space.
However, if contestants of a show made for GORGEOUS people are getting shamed for taking up some extra space, there is no hope for the rest of us.
Unusually, the person at whom most the shaming was directed was a man. Curtis Pritchard is an elite ballroom dancer who spends 90 percent of his life training. He entered the villa with physical evidence of this. He left it- 8 weeks later- with physical evidence of BEING ON HOLIDAY. Let’s be clear. No one, not even people pleasing Curtis, owes us an explanation or excuse for putting on weight.
Actually, the fact that he chose to let loose and enjoy himself on his holibops comes close to redeeming the questionable qualities he has as a person. He's normal. He's a human and his abs are not his sole reason for existing.
One thing I actually love is that @CurtisPritchard is a professional dancer, hes not got this mental, ripped, washboard abs body, and he looks absolutely AMAZING . Wish the dance industry would accept more people with curvy bodies, as I was constantly told to lose weight…
The 23-year-old has had to discuss his weight to the public as a result of the absurd media attention given to his calorie count, despite the emphasis on mental health issues as a result of reality television. It's often the exact same culprits who critique the islanders on their appearance that end up lamenting the suicide of a contestant or expressing empathy for a former star who has run into problems with depression or anxiety as a result of fame. The hypocrisy is honestly astounding.
The star shared his thoughts on the trolls in an interviewwhen he came out of the villa; "'I’m not going to lie – I probably gained a couple of pounds.I won’t deny that at all, but I enjoyed it, that’s the thing. It’s the first time I’ve just been myself. All the other lads were in incredible shape, I like to go up and down. When I’m dancing I’m up, when I’m enjoying myself I like to eat food." The buoying of somebody's weight is by no means uncommon, and it's brave of him to open up about his body when there was no need to do so. Frankly, the interviewer who brought up the public trolling about his 'gut' was being irresponsible by doing so.
Sad that in #LoveIsland'news' today, people are talking about islanders having gained weight. So? Their hair has probably grown and their skin tone changed too. Why does weight always require comment? It's not cool to #bodyshame ANYBODY. Leave @CurtisPritchard alone FFS
The ITV show released a statement about cruelty online. Speaking to the Mirror Online, a spokesperson said: "It is incredibly irresponsible that any Islander would be body-shamed in this way and we would always discourage anyone from making appearance-based comments that could be hurtful to the islanders and their families. It is astonishing that there have been calls for body diversity yet an islander who has allegedly put on weight is now being trolled because of it." They're not wrong. The polarising nature of the show has led to a mixture of both criticism and abuse online, and it's not under enough control. Vitally, an increase in aftercare and fame training has occurred this year in order to protect the finalists from the onslaught of attention and career opportunities that are coming their way.
Like Maura, we think Curtis’s tum is fab. Body positivity often comes from a female perspective, simply because women's bodies tend to be scrutinised more. However, that does not mean that lads won't benefit mentally from seeing a tummy (yes that's how low the expectation is) on national television. It is refreshing to see guys fluctuate in weight. We all know it happens because that’s life, but we rarely see this kind of thing on a show as influential as Love Island.
It’s also important to remember that many boys as young as 12 watched the show religiously as it ran over 8 weeks. Boys who are normally bombarded with images of ripped bods in a world where many are resorting to using substances to achieve this very specific look. Curtis and the other men in Love Island may unwittingly be doing society a favour by showing us the reality of having a normal human body that changes constantly.
Curtis received some extra trolling for his ‘camp’ mannerisms. His sexual orientation was questioned repeatedly by online bullies. These may or may not be linked, but it sure shows that the way a person chooses to carry themselves physically garners far more attention than their personality traits. For us, his silly advice and general two-faced-ness was an issue. His tum and flamboyant ways were nothing but refreshing in a world where you are criticised for simply being yourself.
Considering every single Love Island couple from season four broke up within six months, we don't have high for series five's lovers. Not even Greg and Amber (hello, Limerick to Newcastle?).
New data has now revealed that the couples will break up after only 69 days, and our jaws ain't hitting no floors. The show really doesn't produce romance, just pure lust and instant fame.
Watches2U have analysed the length of time that the couples usually stay together within one year of leaving the villa, and the Islanders are set to pie each other off by October 6, 2019.
The data analysed how many of the top three couples were still an item after their series ended, and just three of the 12 couples were staying strong 365 days after the series they starred in finished.
Cara and Nathan broke up 273 days after the show finished, but got back together a year later. It's clearly not an easy feat to make it as a couple 'on the outside', as the study proves.
With each series that goes on, surviving outside of the villa appears to be causing more problems- most likely because of the ITV reality show's massive growth in popularity.
Series two couples were going strong for an average of 334 days, and one relationship even ended with marriage (Olivia and Alex) and a baby for one lucky pair of Islanders (Cara and Nathan).
Season four pairs were loyal for just 159 days on average, barely making it to Christmas.
The pilot season was considered an anomaly, as only two romantic couples placed in the top three and lasted only three months. It's no formula for catching a long-term boo, that's for sure.
Instagram/@loveisland
The team predicts that the top three season five couples will last a total of 69 days on average, which is pretty measly.
There was a huge amount of tactical recoupling this year, and more than the villa's fair share of fuckboi snakes (Danny, Michael, Jordan- looking at you).
The lack of strong couples and exclusivity are the reason for such a small prediction, but we're praying that #Gramber survive longer than that.
Watches2Ucreated a graph to depict how long the final three couples lasted within the first year of leaving the villa.
From this, the percentage decrease in relationship length between each series from two to four was investigated, calculating an average percentage decrease of 24.065 percent.
This means that the data predicts series five's couples lasting 19 percent out of 365 days- just 69 days in total. Sob. Come on Greg and Amber, prove them wrong.
Curtis Pritchard has opened up about why himself and Maura didn't have sex in the Love Island villa, and it makes plenty of sense.
Viewers were confused when Curtis kept rebuffing Maura's advances in bed, shutting down any chance of the pair consummating their relationship in the house.
In a joint interview with the Mail Online after the show ended, Curtis revealed the real reason behind his actions (or lack thereof).
Just catching up on @LoveIsland and the whole date thing bores me senseless
Also Curtis is clearly not into Maura either because no matter how tired men get they are never too tired for a bit of fun in the sheets.
Especially that early in a relationship #LoveIsland
"I want her and only her to experience it," Curtis told the publication. "We are in a bedroom with 14 other people!"
Maura echoed Curtis’ reason, admitting that Curtis was aware of how loud Maura might get; "I think it was more people hearing, he knows how loud I am."
The couple are back home and will have the opportunity to spend some quality alone time together away from the cameras, much to Maura's delight.
"No, we’ve not had a chance! Let’s just say, I’m sure we’ll get it done."
Curtis: “Maura, I do want to have sex with you but I also want to be the one to watch everybody sleep at night so they feel safe” #loveislandpic.twitter.com/6rK90hsp76
Many people assumed that Curtis rejected Maura’s sexual advances so that he can keep the opportunity alive of working for Strictly Come Dancing. Having sex on TV can harm such chances.
His brother AJ is part of the professional line-up, so it makes sense that he'd want to join him. When asked about his interest in the popular show, he said:
"First time I’ve heard of it, but I’d never close the door! I’d love to work with my brother he’s one of my idols."
Curtis cha-cha-cha’d his way into Maura’s heart and the pair have been smitten ever since! Congrats on landing fourth place! #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/GX0Jo6HW1C
Maura and Curtis came in fourth place in Monday night's live final of Love Island, behind Ovie and India, Molly and Tommy and winners Greg O'Shea and Amber Gill.
Maura admits that it wasn’t the outcome she expected, throwing her support behind her best friend from the villa;
‘I’m not going to lie, I was shocked. I love Greg and Amber but Tommy and Molly-Mae were in love.
