Black… Looking For Love… And On An Island?
It’s unheard of and unimaginable – we know, but Black people can dream too. Competition style reality love shows are few and far between, especially ones that Black people would watch and enjoy, with the hopes of even slightly being represented on screen.
If you are a sucker for romance or an avid viewer of any of these shows that air one too many times a week you’d be accustomed to the token Black show contestant. Love Island is no different but believe me, this show will have you hooked and watching a mindless hour of television nearly every day for nearly eight weeks.
“Welcome Back Islanders…”
This year, the UK network ITV2 has decided to air an additional winter season whereas all previous seasons were only ever aired during the summer months. As everything else I watch and a nod to Mr. Folarin, “sue me, I’m rootin’ for everybody that’s Black” - which at times is to my detriment. Even when time and time again, Black contestants on these shows don’t even choose one another for love or at least for the sake of winning £50,000. And in Samira’s case, the first Black contestant ever, it was nice to see her get paired off at all.
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During last season, before the god of a man Ovie, the only two Black people in the villa, Yewande Biale, and Sherif Lanre, barely looked in each other’s direction. To be fair, Yewande had a sense of community and seemed to slightly call for Sherif’s attention as a sign of solidarity but homeboy was looking every which way but hers. Surprise? Not at all. A bit of a disappointment? Absolutely. What in the name of self-hate and literal confusion was that?
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So, when a winter season was announced Black folks waited patiently for the contestant reveal and to our surprise, two Black contestants entered the villa in the first episode. To pull the heartstrings of West Africans everywhere when those names were announced, Ghanaians knew what it was - #yearofreturn babyyy!
LEANNE AMANING is a 22 -year-old customer service representative from London, along with MICHAEL BOETANG is a 24-year-old police officer, from London.
And I? I am a very happy camper. For the first time in Love Island history, two dark skin Black contestants from the same city and cultural background were apart of the first batch of contestants in the villa and had the honor (or potential dread) of participating in the initial pairing. Last season, Yewande and Sherif both arrived on the first day, yet most of us were hopeful but almost certain they wouldn’t have a “love at first sight” type connection.
But this year, Leanne stepped forward for Mike as soon as he made his way down the stairs and Mike also chose her, when he had the option of pairing with any woman out of the bunch, even if they were already paired off. THEY CHOSE ONE ANOTHER - whether they are members of Black twitter, have friends that showed them the ropes, actually fancied each other or simply understood the (what I thought was obvious, but maybe not so much) point of Black solidarity in white spaces, ESPECIALLY ON TELEVISION -it was a beautiful sight to see.
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Leanne shared that she had a hard time opening up to people because “they all move mad” and Mike reassured her that she’s “been blessed”, because he for one, does not. The hopeless reality show romantic *thug, in me shed a fake tear. Of course, you’ve got to tread lightly when it comes to Black men but for now, and the beginning episodes of this season, I have faith.
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