’Love Island USA’ Pleas for Fans to ‘Keep It Kind’ Ahead of Dramatic Season 6 Reunion
Love Island USA is urging fans to stay calm and be mindful ahead of the show’s season 6 reunion, which drops August 19 on Peacock.
The popular reality show took to social media with a plea for civility ahead of what is rumored to be a high-drama reunion for the cast. The message came after one cast member spoke out about feeling “exhausted” by the experience of appearing on the dating show.
‘Love Island USA’ reminds fans that the cast are real people
Last week, the Love Island USA Season 6 cast descended on New York City to film the reunion. Around the same time, rumors began to circulate that there would be no shortage of drama when the islanders came together on stage. Meanwhile, some cast members took to social media to speak out about their relationships and online bullying.
Now, the show appears to be trying to get ahead of a potential social media firestorm with a message reminding viewers that the cast members are real people.
“Big love to everyone who joined us in Fiji this summer!” read a statement the show shared on Instagram on August 19. “The Season 6 reunion drops tonight on Peacock, and we’re buzzing to bring our Islanders back together.”
“The reunion is full of drama, but remember — these are real people, so let’s keep it kind and positive,” the statement continued. “Let’s end the season with the same love and respect we started with!”
The Love Island USA Season 6 reunion will be available to stream on Monday, August 9 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Peacock.
Leah Kateb, Daniela Ortiz Rivera speak out about mental health ahead of the reunion
Since appearing on the show, several islanders have spoken out about mental health and cyberbullying.
Leah Kateb commented on a TikTok video that reposted a clip of Love Island USA host Ariana Madix teasing that the reunion would address Rob Rausch’s dumping of Andrea Carmona.
“No ‘blow up’ happened at the reunion,” Leah wrote (via People). “Y’all make any n everything up. I’m exhausted mentally physically and spiritually from this entire experience. I’m tired. I told them I am DONE after reunion.”
Meanwhile, Daniela Ortiz Rivera posted a TikTok video where she spoke about suicide awareness and reminded people that “bullying is not a joke.”
“At the end of the day, these people aren’t characters,” she said. “They’re real people with real feelings … Multiple people are going through this and it break my heart.”
‘Love Island (UK)’ cast members have died by suicide
The Love Island franchise has a history of cast members struggling with their mental health after appearing on the show. Multiple people involved with the original U.K. version of the reality dating show have died by suicide.
Sophie Gradon, a former Miss Great Britain who appeared on Love Island in 2016, died in June 2018. Season 3 cast member Mike Thalassitis died in March 2019. In February 2020, Love Island host Caroline Flack died amid legal problems and allegations that she’d abused her boyfriend. A 2021 Variety report noted that none of the deaths appeared to be directly connected to the show, but they still raised concerns that cast member’s mental health was not adequately prioritized.
Before her death, Gradon spoke about being on the receiving end of vicious online hate.
“It was horrific … There would be so many negative comments,” she told Radio Aire (via Fox News). “They are commenting on the way you look, the way you talk. They would come up with an opinion of you on a TV show where they’ve watched you for 45 minutes.”
She warned that the bullying could lead someone to suicide.
“And as you’ve seen in the media, that is what happens,” she said. “Can you imagine being responsible for that?”
How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.
For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s YouTube channel.
