Love Island has been on our screens for nearly a month. Our favourite islanders have been chosen, Casa Amor has hit the villa, and PLT is writing up their next million-pound contract. Love Island is a national treasure and guilty pleasure for many Brits. We sit down at 9pm every night to watch the love, and carnage, unfold.
Over the years, Love Island has built a reputation for choosing a certain type of contestant. The girls have filled lips, cinched waists, and enough hair extensions to last a lifetime. The boys are perfectly groomed, muscular, and often have the worst chat in the whole of the UK.
Love Island might be a reality TV show – but the contestants and their relationships are far from real. Here are a few reasons why your relationship doesn't need to resemble those on Love Island.
They are isolated in a villa
Love Islanders are known for falling in love within a matter of weeks. They are isolated in a luxury villa, and their whole purpose is to find a partner to couple with. They have no TV, no job, no family commitments, and no responsibilities while in the villa. They are together 24/7, so they can get to know each other much more quickly than they would in the real world.
Love Island is a TV show that aims to be entertaining. The villa puts their emotions and relationships on fast forward. It makes for excellent viewing – but does it reflect the real world? No, and it's not supposed to.
When watching the show, try to remember that the contestants are isolated from any external factors. It can take months and even years for someone in the real world to fall in love.
They put a lot of effort into looking that good
Islanders are beautiful. Some of them have had a few nips, tucks, and fills here and there. Others work extra hard in the gym and reap the benefits of their fantastic genes. Most of the islanders are scouted on social media for their looks.
When they get into the villa, they spend a considerable amount of time on their makeup, hair, outfit, and body maintenance. But let's be honest, most of us would put in some extra effort if we were going to be on TV every night for two months.
The important thing to remember is that you don't have to look like an islander to find a relationship. Love comes in all different shapes, sizes, and personalities. A very specific type of beauty is showcased on Love Island, and it's not for everyone.
The contestants are all very similar
Physically, all the contestants have a similar look and style. They could be thrown into a Boohoo photo shoot tomorrow, and they would be exactly what the site is looking for.
Besides their looks, the contestants have similar personalities and lifestyles as well. Most of the islanders are confident, outspoken, and extroverted individuals. Most of them have a strong presence on social media before entering the villa, and some work as 'content creators' or 'influencers.' Most of them enjoy working out, eating well and travelling the world.
Of course, there are some exceptions to the basic Love Island contestant outline. But for the most part, Love Islanders are cut from a similar cloth with a few differences here and there. They are chosen from thousands of applicants based on their looks, persona, and compatibility.
The villa is a controlled environment, and most couples don't survive after it. However, some go on to live happily ever after in their airbrushed influencer bubbles. Molly Mae and Tommy Fury, I'm looking at you.
In the real world, you are likely to meet people from all kinds of lifestyles and backgrounds. You are unlikely to have five compatible partners handed to you on a silver platter. You might have to look a little harder and spend some time meeting different people to find what you like.
They stage tests for the couples
Every Love Island season has a go-to phrase, and this season "it's a test" is the one. The islanders keep talking about how their relationships will be tested through new arrivals and romances. In the real world – couples are faced with tests and challenges from the moment they start talking. It can be difficult to work around busy schedules, different priorities, and social media pressures.
Couples are used to facing tests on an everyday basis in the real world. Love Island couples, on the other hand, live in their luxury bubble for weeks and the producers introduce a series of 'tests' along the way.
Love Island does not resemble the real world and the complexities of romantic relationships. Your relationship shouldn't look like a reality TV show where the environment and contestants are perfectly chosen.
Real-world connections are often messy, unexpected and, well, real.
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2, with episodes available the next morning on BritBox.
Words by George Arkley for Female First, who you can follow @George_Arkley on Twitter.
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