Love Island is embroiled in feud over ‘toxic femininity’ after women on reality show reduce male contestants to tears and viewers fear for their mental health
Love Island has been embroiled in a feud over “toxic femininity” after women on the show brought some of the male contestants to tears.
Viewers of the controversial ITV reality series fear for the mental health of male stars.
Some fans have accused the girls of being hypocritical for celebrating their “sisterhood” but misbehaving in the same way as the men.
Tanya Manhenga, 22, Olivia Hawkins, 27, and Australian Jessie Wynter26, are widely regarded as the leaders in the villa.
Last Thursday there were emotional scenes after the Casa Amor stunt, in which men and women are split up, some are placed in a different villa and all are introduced to newly bachelors.
Sad: Love Island’s Shaq Muhammad burst into tears on Thursday night’s episode after falling out with partner Tanya Manhenga during an explosive movie night
Love Island is embroiled in a row over ‘toxic femininity’ after women on the show moved some male contestants to tears
Tanya Manhenga, 22, (pictured) Olivia Hawkins, 27, and Australian Jessie Wynter, 26, are widely regarded as the leaders in the villa
Drama: The star had seen Tanya, 23, (pictured with Shaq) cheat on him with Irish bombshell Martin Akinola during one of the clips
Angry: After Tanya ignored Shaq in the kitchen, he left the villa, later crying while talking to boyfriend Tom Clare
Tears: Shaq had a heart to heart with co-star Tom after the argument, comforting him as he cried
Hugs: Tom gave Shaq a hug as he was clearly upset by the events of movie night at the Islander villa
Anger: Sitting with her fellow islanders, Tanya expressed her frustration and revealed she didn’t know what to do
Contestant Shaq Muhammad was left in tears after his on-screen partner Tanya Manhenga ran off with another contestant, Martin Akinola. Mr. Muhammad was devastated and had to be comforted by contestant Tom Clare.
Mrs. Manhenga then humiliated Mr. Akinola when she made him believe he had a chance, only to publicly profess her love for Mr. Muhammad.
Meanwhile, farmer Will Young burst into tears after the women defended Jessie Wynter when he kissed another cast member at Casa Amor. But none of the women condemned Mrs. Manhenga.
Anger: Twitter was full of furious commenters after the feud, angry at Tanya’s behavior and that she made him cry
Olivia Hawkins also addressed contestant Ron Hall for criticizing her, despite footage of her making derogatory comments about other couples, none of which was challenged by the other women.
In addition, Mr. Hall was ridiculed and made to feel wrong for appearing to encourage his fellow male contestants to give Casa Amor newcomers a chance.
Yet the women, led by Mrs. Wynter, turned out to have done exactly the same in the villa.
This year’s female lineup has been labeled the most “manipulative and toxic” in the show’s history. A male viewer said: ‘I’ve never complained to Ofcom, but tonight I will. Emotional abuse and bullying is no joke – Tanya and Olivia need to talk.”
One female viewer wrote on Twitter: “I never thought I would side with the men. Some of these women are toxic,” while another tweeted, “Toxic femininity at its best.”
Another wrote, “This female empowerment is too toxic for me. There’s no harm in being self-aware, honey. And many of you need to look in the mirror.’
An ITV spokesperson said participants are being trained in inclusive language and behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally.