Maura Higgins, Duchess of County Longford, shares her first kiss with Curtis Pritchard in tonight's episode of Love Island only hours after Amy Hart quit the show.
Curtis' 'half-girlfriend' Amy exited the villa of her own accord after an emotional farewell, still heartbroken at the end of her relationship with the professional dancer.
Maura has confessed her feelings to Curtis already, who told her he couldn't make any moves with Amy still feeling the pain of their break-up.
The Islanders are set a dance challenge tonight in order to get each others' hearts racing, and Maura makes sure she's got all the attention to see through her plan.
"I've got a bit of a plan up my sleeve. I just can't wait to get to Curtis," she admits in the Beach Hut. The contestants are each strapped up to heart monitors and are split into boys and girls.
The girls have to dance individually first, and Maura grabs Curtis for a kiss while the whole villa watches on. We LOVE the ridiculousness of this woman, but feel for Amy too.
— loveisland.spoilers ! (@loveislandspoi1) July 10, 2019
Curtis is left without words after her confident display, and we'd say his heartrate skyrocketed. She's some woman, we'll give her that. The boys must then impress the girls with their sexy moves.
Seeing as Curtis is a professional dancer, he brings the heat to his routine and returns Maura's kiss after picking her up to sweep her off her feet.
We can FEEL how delighted those producers are. Earlier, Maura and Curtis were chosen by Chris and Francesca to go on a double date, but Maura was pretty distracted.
Maura flirts with Chris, but spends most of the date trying to see what Curtis and the new girl are up to.
"The poor lad is going to be talking to me and I'm just going to be earwigging. I want to hear the way Curtis is behaving!" she tells the Beach Hut camera about her date with Chris.
We can't see Curtis waiting to crack on with Maura, his respect for Amy wasn't exactly sky high when his head was turned by Jourdan after about 30 seconds. *Shade*
Love Island has now officially become a cultural phenomenon, and it seems that audiences in the States are gagging to get their USA version up and running.
The show is finally making its way across the Atlantic, with 11 sexy singletons heading to Fiji in the South Pacific to soak up the sun and maybe even find some romance.
While there are many similarities between the ITV2 show and the USA version (those on-screen graphics), but there are some big differences compared to the British version for American audiences.
ITV America's chief executive officer, David Eilenberg, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the core changes to the American version, such as censorship and 'toned down' swimwear.
The show launches on CBS at 8pm, prime time in the US, and viewers are already prepared to give up their social lives and give in to their new obsession.
The US version will feature less 'revealing' swimwear according to Eilenberg; "Of course, we're going to conform to broadcast standards. We're on at 8 o'clock on a major broadcaster."
He added; "That said, even the way that the UK show has evolved, it has shifted more towards a mainstream general entertainment audience."
If the dodgy language ('effing and jeffing') gets too extreme, censorship will ensue as a result.
Eilenberg said: "Probably the biggest difference of all is likely to be around language because we'll have some bleeping obligations that the UK simply doesn't.
"I don't think that's going to make a huge difference in terms of the experience of it. But for superfans of the show, that will probably be notable because the UK version doesn't require censoring in the same way."
Love Island USA will be hosted by hilarious actress, online personality and comedian Arielle Vandenberg.
Arielle will double-up the hosting with doing the voiceover as well, which is the job of Scottish comic Iain Stirling. Caroline Flack has become a household name in the UK since landing the host job,
Producers are still unsure whether the audience will take to to voiced over quips as the action unfolds in the US version.
Eilenberg said: "We are utilising voiceover, which we were very happy that CBS was committed to, because we think that is an integral part of the UK show but not a device that gets used very frequently in the US.
He continued; "There will certainly be differences. Some of those differences won't just have to do with the type of platform it's on, but simply the cultural differences between American islanders and UK islanders."
Off-screen, Arielle is coupled up with boyfriend and fellow comedian/influencer Matt Cutshall. Flack is still looking for her perfect man to couple up with, maybe she'll meet him on the show this year?
Seeing as this is the first season of the American show, there are many unknowns. The series will only be about one-third of the length of the UK version until popularity grows.
Eilenberg said: "The UK show is pushing something like 60 hours of content over the course of the summer, and that's not counting ancillary. That's just every night. Will we ever get to that place in the US? I don't know.
"You look at other territories of the show and some of them are more similar to what we're doing, which is about 20-something hours of content," he concluded.
Currently there are no plans to bring Love Island USA to UK and Irish screens, but you can catch the action by subscribing to Hulu or searching for clips online. It looks worth the effort…
Six Love Island stars have slammed the show, claiming it left them feeling "suicidal" after they were treated like "performing monkeys".
Malin Andersson, Josh Denzel, Paul Knops, Adam Collard, Callum MacLeod and Alex Miller have banded together to write a scathing letter accusing ITV producers of pulling strings behind the scenes.
The former reality show contestants claim they felt depressed and worried following their stints on the show, and they've decided to speak out following the suicides of Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.
The deaths have sparked a huge debate regarding how Islanders were treated during their few weeks in the Spanish villa and the aftercare they received when they left.
Changes were made this year to the way the contestants were looked after once they were dumped from the show. ITV released a statement following Mike's suicide this year.
"Our duty of care is a continuous and ongoing process for each Islander. This follows three key stages; pre-filming, filming, and aftercare," they insisted.
"We work with both an independent GP and a psychological consultant to provide an assessment of the physical and mental health of each of the shortlisted cast members and their suitability for inclusion on the programme."
"We have a medical team on location which includes a psychological consultant. They not only look after Islanders’ healthcare needs, but also monitor them to check that there are no emerging signs of any problems developing whilst they are in the villa.
"Additionally, several of our senior team, who monitor the cast around the clock, have been trained in mental health first aid." Six former Love Island stars have now spilled their true feelings on the series.
Alex Miller says he struggled to adjust to real life after his romance with Megan Barton-Hanson in the villa last year, tellingThe Ringerthat he had suicidal thoughts after fame went cold and he had to return to his job in construction.
Image: ITV/REX
"I never thought I would get into that mind frame. But I would be driving to work, contemplating ending things." Love Island bosses contacted a psychologist on his behalf after he opened up about these thoughts.
"From a Love Island perspective probably about five months after I was out of the villa and it had all died down and I was in a bit of a dark place and partying too much, I did have a rant on here and one of the Love Island producers got in touch and put me back in touch with a psychiatrist."
"They interviewed me, they knew my personality, and then they put me in the villa and said, ‘You’ve got 48 hours to steal someone’s girl, otherwise you’re gone’."
Adam was told that his career "a world of good" if he could "cope with this mentally" with the bad press that would come his way.
Callum MacLeod, who was the first of 2019's Islanders to be voted out of the show, spoke out to confirm that Islanders do get aftercare when they leave.
Callum said they were shown a video about trolling, which was created by former Islanders and detailed life on the outside.
Josh Denzel, from last year's series, said receiving cruel comments online was difficult to deal with. Friends who ran his account stopped posting online due to the hateful comments they read.
Paul Knops, from 2018's round-up, opened up about his anxiety;
He said: "You go through anxiety. It can be pretty stressful. And then you go back to your own home, and there’s no one really to talk to about what you’ve been through. It all comes down to dealing with stuff on your own, and not everyone’s great at that."
Other Islanders have defended Love Island and the aftercare;
Olivia Buckland spoke to the Daily Mail about her time on season two: "I was in constant contact with the producers for a very long time. I got offered psychological tests when I got out.
"I got offered counselling when I got out. I got a list of agencies. Honestly, they really did look after me, and Alex. They always checked in with us, and I’m still good friends with them now. Love Island is there for you if you need them."
"When I came out of the villa ITV sat down with me and went through everything that had happened to make sure I was prepared. I don’t blame ITV for any of this – they’ve been amazing," she emphasised.
"They are in regular contact and whenever anything difficult happens they make an extra special effort to check in on you to see if you’re OK. I’ve got the number of the show’s psychologist in my phone and I know I can call her whenever I need to.”
Alex George, who appeared in series four, told ITV News: "I can only talk about my own personal experience of course, and I’ve felt that when I’ve asked for help, I’ve received it."
Olivia Attwood (season three) wrote in her New! magazine column: "I think when you put yourself in a situation like this, it’s always a risk and you need to decide whether you’re strong enough to do it.
"I’ve been subject to a lot of negative comments from trolls in the past year, but the only point it really got to me was when I first came out," she added, referencing her thick skin developing.
Chris was elevated so much in the press, whereas I was a bit hated. It was a lot to deal with because I knew a side to Chris that no one else had seen. But even then ITV were so supportive to me."
"My advice to Islanders coming out is to brace yourself and keep as much normality as you possibly can because I always say to myself that this isn’t your real world. You’ve got to keep things in perspective.
"You were happy and existed before you went on TV, so you should be happy and exist after it all goes away."
Tom Powell, who took part in series two, told The Sun: "The show was crazy. But they took care of us. Anyone who says otherwise is talking bulls**t."
"This morning Love Island called me and said I could call the psychologist who works for the show. They gave her new number. He was one of the first person to speak to us.
"After you leave the show you speak to the psychologist and you were always checking in with her. We had a lot of care after the show. They took great care of us," he assured.
Chris Hughes, who appeared on series three, spoke out on Victoria Derbyshire: "Before the show you see a psychologist, and after the show before you head back to the show you see a psychologist.
"In the series that I was in you spoke to somebody before, and they make sure you're fine, and during your time in the show, you can also speak to somebody," he said, defending reality television.
"And then afterwards before we flew home to the UK, still when we're within a duty of care from ITV, we have an opportunity to speak to somebody.
"We speak to them regardless, that's set in stone. So they can prepare you for what to expect when you land back in England.
"One thing I will say is when I filmed another show with ITV, another reality show, mine and Olivia's, we were given support by a psychologist there for whenever we wanted it and me and Olivia spent hours separately and together speaking to her because they were worried about that side of things with us. It's obviously a massive help."
It sounds like mixed messages from former Love Island stars. On the one hand, if you're built with a thick skin or develop one, it seems the aftercare is sufficient.
On the other hand, certain contestants receive far more trolling than others, and work dries up for many, which can be majorly anxiety-inducing.
Fans of the show are currently worried about Amy Hart, who has just voluntarily left this year's series after her brutal break-up with her first love; Curtis Pritchard.
We woke up today with the news that no less than FIVE Love Island contestants have left the villa in just a few days (Amy has left voluntarily alongside two couples).
Danny and Jourdan have exited the show last night, and tonight the showdown will air between George and Lucy, and Amy and Curtis.
Seeing as Amy has mysteriously taken her flight straight out of Majorca, we're assuming that Lucie and George have been dumped.
News has just broken that 23-year-old Francesca Allen and 28-year-old Chris Taylor are the two newbies to shake up the villa in replacement of the five dumped contestants:
Two NEW Love Island Bombshells will be entering the villa tonight
Meet Francesca (23)and Chris (28) as they shake up the island #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/MnaZASTv1U
— Virgin Media Two (@VirginMedia_Two) July 9, 2019
Essex beauty Fran has got her eyes set on Anton, which could spell bad news for Belle. Chris is taken with Longford lass Maura Higgins, who is now single but has feelings for Curtis. The DRAH-MA continues…
Francesca Allen is a store manager who knows a fair amount of the TOWIE cast from her shop- Georgia Kousoulou, Chloe Ross, Chloe Lewis.
"My sister’s boyfriend is Sam Faiers’ boyfriend’s brother, so we know each other. Jack Fowler was my personal trainer for a while, he’s really nice."
She reckons that her sense of humour perfectly matches Anton's, so watch out Belle;
"I do think it’s mainly Anton – I’ve liked him from the beginning. He seems like a really nice person. He seems like my kind of humour. He doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is good looking. I think we complement each other well."
She "didn't buy Amy and Curtis from the beginning" but is attracted to the ballroom dancer; "I love his snake hips."
She doesn't hold back about his relationship with Amy; "They were a bit awkward. It was a funny relationship. I wasn’t surprised when they broke up."
Chris Taylor is a business development manager from Leicester, who's set his sights on hilarious Irish girl Maura.
“Maura, she is very interesting. She’s an absolute fireball and I’ve got that same side to me as well. She has loads of banter and seems very easy to get on with. It will be interesting to see if we clash or not.”
His claim to fame is rather weak, but we'll take it; "My dad was engaged to Denise Welch when he was 19. They’re still good family friends. I’ve met her a few times, she’s lovely."
Chris is as confident as the rest of the boys in the villa, and is comfortably with his masculinity. He even admits to loving "girly things" like watching chick flicks;
"I am the full package I’d say. I’m not a bad looking guy. I would give myself a solid 7.2 out of 10. I can cook, I enjoy a bit of cleaning. I don’t really like football, and I don’t mind doing more girly things – I love a chick flick.
Image: ITV/REX
"In terms of being in a relationship with a girl, I’m the perfect islander to go in."
Damn son, we give you our blessing to go for Maura. Hit her with your best shot.
Ever since Ovie arrived into Casa Amor and set his six foot tall, tattooed gorgeousness on Anna, we've been weak for the man.
Not to mention his respectful, mature attitude which has no time for anyone who wants to kill his vibe. He's utterly himself in a fake, constructed reality show and that says a LOT.
His hilarious antics have earned him fans all over the world, and he's officially the favourite on the internet. No doubt about it, Ovie is making a serious mark on this year's Love Island.
Here are the receipts to prove Ovie's 2019 MVP status, we're willing to fight about this one. Defending Ovie to the death is now on our life mantra list.
3. That big d*ck energy with his ice lolly, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here hat and tropical print outfit
ovie's energy is exactly what I wanna carry for the rest of 2019 tbh – know your worth, eat an ice lolly, wear a sick outfit #loveislandpic.twitter.com/HOjCDtUDwf
7. His fashion game is undeniably strong, and he speaks his truth
idc it’s a crime that ovie wasn’t in the original boy line up, i’ve had more fun watching him breathe than seeing others talk #loveislandpic.twitter.com/zS0gb0hXRP
8. The way he shouts 'message' after anyone says 'I GOT A TEXT'
Who else has noticed that Ovie references ‘Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood’ every time someone gets a message. What a legend. (1/2) #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/gsGTwgmnIo
17. Just give us the summer romance and nobody gets hurt
i need amber and ovie to start out as a team to break up michael and joanna, but then realise they really liked each other all along and couple up – the perfect summer romcom #LoveIsland
In conclusion, we stan Ovie harder than ever and he deserves the £50,000 for being a god-given angel.
Well, he's 100 percent set up for life with sponsorship deals after getting inducted into the Love Island Hall of Fame anyway, so we reckon he'll ascent some sort of throne.
The man has a beautiful energy, he only acts like his hilarious self at all times, has zero time for bullsh*t and genuinely speaks only the truth. Ovie for the win, we say.
While four Islanders exit tonight's Love Island, fresh faces will also arrive to spice things up even more.
That's right people, TWO sexy singletons will make their way into the villa amid a quadruple dumping, and Amy's exit voluntarily.
Anna Vakili's 29th birthday bash was interrupted last night by the shock news that Jourdan and Danny were voted out of the show as the least favourite couple.
The Islanders will gather around the fire put and discover that they must decide amongst themselves which couple can stay and which must leave; George and Lucie or Curtis and Amy.
Bear in mind that neither pairing are actually dating each other, following Amy's heartbreak when Curtis' head was turned and he savagely dumped her. George… well… his chat up line was about snacks.
Four will depart the ITV reality show tonight, but two brand new Islanders will bring big changes to the villa. We're guessing the dynamics will make a big shift.
It's worth mentioning that Marvin, Maura, Amber and Ovie are now single (Ovie and Amber need to create the rom-com of the summer and take their friendship to the next level) but the public haven't forgotten how devious Michael was.
The lad is a perfect example of toxic masculinity, and showed gaslighting tendencies while brutally ending his coupling with the unsuspecting Amber (the word CHALDISH was thrown around way too often).
We're guessing Michael and Joanna will be the next couple targeted, but also Curtis and Amy must be saved tonight seeing as Amy walks away?
Why bother leaving it on a cliffhanger when we all know Amy clearly stays because she walked today?! Confused! #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/bBtjSQAQct
Just as the remaining two couples think they are safe, there is another big bombshell from the producers.
Tommy Fury receives a text which states:
"One more couple will be dumped, the other couple will remain in the villa. The couple which stays and couple that is dumped will be decided by your fellow Islanders."
Amy Hart has officially quit Love Island and has left the villa this evening.
The air hostess was reportedly heartbroken after her break-up with Curtis Pritchard, following his head being turned in Casa Amor.
After returning from the other villa, Amy had to discover in front of everyone that her 'half' boyfriend was intending to couple up with another girl (Jourdan) but was rejected.
Image: ITV
Amy wanted to give Curtis another chance to redeem himself, but the professional dancer ended things for good, saying he couldn't promise that his head wouldn't be turned once again.
The couple split up, and now Longford lass Maura has expressed her feelings for him, much to his surprise.
Amy was removed from the villa last week to seek psychiatric help from specialists, so perhaps the best thing for her to do is return to her family and friends for support.
She already expressed to Anna and Amber that she was struggling to cope with seeing Curtis act fine about their split, and couldn't stop herself from talking to him.
The 26-year-old has never had a boyfriend before, so this experience must have been extremely difficult to handle, especially on live television.
We truly hope the show gives her the adequate aftercare following this experience.
Phew, we feel like we can barely take a breath during this season of Love Island.
Tonight's episode looks set to be full of tension and drama, as not one but TWO couples are dumped from the island and the fellow contestants deciding who will remain on the show.
Offering audiences a break from the dumpings, the pure-as-gold Tommy Fury asks Molly-Mae Hague to be his girlfriend using Ellie Belly (their baby elephant teddy) and we're on the floor.
FIRST LOOK
Maura comes clean to Amy, and Tommy puts his plan to make things official with Molly-Mae into action. It's looking like love is in the air… until a surprise dumping ruins the mood. #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/RbHsPi1HTE
The duo are prepared to take their relationship to the next level and become the first official couple in a relationship in the villa. We can't cope.
Speaking with his villa BFF and newly-baptised menace, Curtis Pritchard, on the day beds, Tommy states: "I feel like now is the perfect time to call Molly my girlfriend. I feel it!"
The lads then head up to the terrace with Tommy picking up Ellie-Belly en route, the model's adorable teddy. Tommy and Curtis sprinkle rose petals over the terrace, and at this point we have heart failure.
We all remember the significance of Ellie-Belly, don't we? When Molly had left for Casa Amor, Tommy carried the teddy around like a lost puppy and we all almost CRACKED with the cuteness.
thinking about how molly mae thought tommy had changed his mind about her because ellie belly wasn’t on the bed but in reality he’d been carrying ellie belly round for the last 3 days straight #loveislandpic.twitter.com/dlOdwdnjLx
At the recoupling and dramatic return of the girls from Casa Amor, Ellie-Belly was missing from Molly's bed and she assumed he'd found somebody else and replaced her. In reality, he was glued to his wifey's cuddly toy.
Curtis writes a message in eyeliner (pens are banned in the villa, weirdly) tonight for Molly-Mae and attaches the note to Ellie-Belly before placing him on the terrace seat.
A nervous Tommy goes over his plan in the Beach Hut: “Asking Molly-Mae to be my girlfriend was single-handedly the most nervous I’ve ever been in my entire life,” he says.
Tommy then asks Molly-Mae for a chat (always a big move in the villa). He says “Ellie-Belly wants to tell you something. He told me to come and get his Mum.”
Molly-Mae reads the message attached to Ellie-Belly, which says: "Dear Mummy. Daddy left me here in his best interests. He wanted me to tell you that you’re his everything. I’m going to leave it with Daddy. So…"
Tommy then makes his speech; "On a serious note, you know how much you mean to me and you’re the only girl for me. I only want to be with you. Therefore, I was wondering if you wanted to be my girlfriend?” he asks.
tommy asking molly mae to be his girlfriend with ellie belly. JESUS CHRIST tommy fury is the purest guy on the planet #loveislandpic.twitter.com/JVzxnWX2oI
The adorable moment brings a sense of relief to tonight's drama-filled episode, which will lead to four Islanders getting axed.
Anna Vakili's birthday bash will be interrupted by a text announcing the couple with the lowest votes from the public, who must leave the villa straight away.
The Islanders are sent another text afterwards that will announce the names of the next two couples in the bottom two, and the contestants will decide who stays and who goes. My GOD.
Eagle-eyed Love Island fans have already figured out a theory about which Islanders will be dumped from the villa tonight.
After last night's episode, the public vote opened for viewers to save their favourite pairing and it's set to be a massive shake-up to the couples.
Many of the duos are no longer dating, such as Maura and Marvin, Lucy and George and now Amy and Curtis, so there'll presumably be a recoupling taking place soon.
Fire up the app to vote for your favourite couple! The vote closes at 10.30pm #LoveIsland
The couple with the least amount of support are expected to be booted out of tonight's show, as Iain Stirling revealed.
Many viewers are now claiming that Danny and Jourdan will be dumped, seeing as they've essentially been "edited out" of the show over the last few days.
Danny was in last night's episode less than Craig David, Ovie's tropical hat and Ellie Belly. Most of Twitter forgot that either Danny and Jourdan were even on the show…
Danny has already earned the nickname 'travel agent' seeing as anyone he couples up with ends up on the first flight home (RIP Yewande, we didn't deserve you).
— AMBER ROSE OFFICIAL (@AmberRoseGill) July 7, 2019
ITV bosses have since revealed that not one but two couples will now be axed on Monday night, with only three weeks to go before the grand final.
It's Anna's birthday bash tonight, and it's revealed to the Islanders that the public have voted for their favourites and three couples with the fewest votes are at risk from being dumped.
As Amber and Jordan are both single, they're exempt from the dumping spree. Thank the Lord, because Amber is our life energy right now and we just can't lose her.
The couple who receives the fewest votes from the public will be announced around the fire pit and Tommy will get a text saying some crazy words;
“One more couple will be dumped, the other couple will remain in the villa. The couple which stays and couple that is dumped will be decided by your fellow Islanders.”
It's pretty clear that the public HATE Michael for how he's treated Amber (hello, toxic masculinity) and Joanna as a result. Plus, all the pair of them talk about is Amber. Ya boring.
Who do you think will be voted out? We predict Danny and Jourdan, and the Islanders will possibly ditch Curtis and Amy as a shock result. Curtis is a devious man so he's welcome to pack his bags anytime…
Basically we want Amber and Ovie to realise their undying love for each other and take their friendship to the next level.
i need amber and ovie to start out as a team to break up michael and joanna, but then realise they really liked each other all along and couple up – the perfect summer romcom #LoveIsland
She said last night that she wants a six foot man with tattoos who loves a savage b*tch, and who is more savage than our dearest Amber? NOBODY.
Think about it, the rom-com of 2019's summer. Ovie takes out Michael, and Amber eventually wins the show with him and then nabs the £50,000 for being the best Islander.
Then she splits the money like in Mean Girls when the Prom crown was divided, sharing her winnings with Anna, Yewande and Maura for being the greatest Love Island legend the game has ever seen. Mark our words.
Love Island fans have been left completely confused after spotting Curtis Pritchard and Amy Hart holding hands in last night's episode, and are now branding the show 'a fix'.
The ballroom dancer and air hostess looked back to their usual selves while running to see Craig David's DJ set, despite having just gone through a seemingly ugly break-up days before…
As the Islanders ran towards the iconic R&B singer, the ex's could be seen running hand-in-hand, and people were baffled.
Amy had been left absolutely heart-broken after a highly dramatic dumping at the hands of Curtis after his head was turned in Casa Amor, and he couldn't promise it wouldn't happen again.
Curtis came out of the whole debacle looking like a complete douchebag, having confronted Jourdan about his feelings for her despite only having had two conversations with the model.
Amy sobbed in the Beach Hut, saying that she had been made second best once again, while the audience glared seethingly at Curtis.
Former contestants have previously opened up about how manipulative the producers can be, so it's extremely hard for viewers to decide what's real and what's fake.
What do you think, are Curtis and Amy secretly still together or are they just having a break-up hand-hold for old time's sake?
Okay you can STOP messing with our minds now, Love Island, for the love of God.
The latest clip has seen Michael Griffiths turn on the charm again with old flame Amber Gill, admitting he has doubts over his new girl Joanna Chimonides.
A sneak preview for tonight's episode shows the 28-year-old firefighter complimenting his ex, despite dumping her brutally earlier this week.
FIRST LOOK
Michael admits to Amber he's not sure Joanna is everything he wants, and Maura's got her eye on Curtis. Will she make a move? PLOT. TWIST. #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/Brm2sELpfV
He continues: "The whole Casa Amor thing, the second I saw the girls I went over and introduced myself to all of them.
"Joanna did stand out and the energy she gave off was the energy you gave off when I met you," Michael adds, which makes no sense because Joanna and Amber are nothing alike…
"I didn't know whether she was just 20 per cent of what I wanted or if she will be 80 per cent of what I wanted, and I still don't know."
Amber replies bashfully, saying: "I know I don't open up to people, I don't show people how much I like them.
"And it's my own f***ing fault so I don't know what I expect."
Michael became an enemy of the people for treating Amber so badly on the ITV2 reality show, gaslighting the life out of her and blaming her for his own decision to dump her.
The tattooed contestant explains to her: "I know you've got a heart of gold, you've just got a strange way of showing it sometimes.
"And yeah, you do make me laugh." Amber smiles as she replies: "Yeah, I know that – I know for sure."
She jokes: "Watching you with lovely Joanna who is not catty and lets you talk about your issues but she doesn’t make you laugh as much as me though!"
Newcomer Belle asks Molly-Mae and Maura if they think that Michael still has feelings for Amber, and both women are quick to say that he definitely does.
Sneaky footage leaked has also shown Ovie on a date with Amber, as the fans were begging for, so we wonder will Michael get jealous?
Has anyone else found themselves justifying why they watch Love Island? Or even worse, justifying how they can watch a show that pits women (and men) against each other for entertainment?
I’ve always considered myself a feminist. However, over the last few weeks I cannot count the number of times I’ve been greeted with shock-horror after revealing that I do indeed, watch Love Island. This has been by friends and family and basically anyone who doesn’t watch it 'on principal'- many believe the show is more of a 'Shag Island' than Love Island.
I couldn't get my head around why being a feminist meant the decision to watch Love Island had to be constantly justified. I then turned to my good friend Scarlett Curtis (okay we've never actually spoken) and listened to her episode of her podcast, Feminists Don't Wear Pink. This particular episode featured Dani Dyer, last year's winner, and they two girls spoke about all things feminist within the Love Island context, such as girls supporting girls. It struck me that watching a show like Love Island could be a very feminist act indeed…
The fact that the villa is full of strong, feisty- albeit conventionally beautiful- gals, is one reason Love Island appeals to feminist viewership. It also plays host to several caring and chill lads who respect the girls they live with and have emotional and meaningful friendships with each other. However, there are a few more reasons why Love Island is feminist AF if you look a little deeper…
Firstly, the word CHOICE is key. Every person in the villa from Maura with her vibrant personality to Yewande with her reserved demeanour, has autonomy. The people you watch are making choices about their lives in every episode, whether they are men or women.
Many of us cringe at the thought of consenting to being observed by an audience of 3.3 million every night. We are horrified that the producers may select scenes of their choice, condensing 24 hours into one, to paint any Islander in any light they wish (anyone notice how WE don't like Amy but EVERYONE in the villa adores her?) BUT in the same way we strive to accept women who are empowered by showing skin or covering up, we should also respect the choice these women have made to appear on Love Island.
Critique is also key. Doesn’t the ending of each episode herald the buzzing of conversation, after a Love Island gathering or in a WhatsApp group entirely dedicated to the show? We judge the hell out of the behaviour of every contestant. We debated whether Maura was wrong to go in for the gob with Tommy several times when he was clearly resisting. We were split down the middle when Lucie stated she wasn't a girls girl. We discussed Joe’s inability to accept that Lucie preferred Tommy as a friend to the girls in the villa. Was he controlling? A bit. Did the people have their say about him? Yes.
We can also broadly criticise the lack of diversity and body positivity in Love Island. Sparking debate is the only way to improve diversity on a broad level, and feminists who speak up may even encourage the powers that be to up the game on diversity in Love Island, over time.
Feminism is ALL about allowing women (and people in general) to be themselves. It's about calling out hurtful behaviour that stops others from being themselves. Love Island has unknowingly sparked some VERY feminist conversations, even within the most unlikely groups of people, and that is the beauty of it: It is what it is.
