A sigh left my lips the second I saw the Love Island cast – 10 new faces, and only one Black woman and one Black man amongst them.

And it wasn’t long before another disappointment that would have been a gut punch to Black women like me watching – when Alima was dismissed in minutes by her new partner Blu, who bluntly told her she ‘wasn’t his type on paper’.

Blu’s line wasn’t just cringeworthy – it was downright heartbreaking. 

As a Black woman, it’s hard not to feel a surge of frustration and sadness when you see yet another Black woman on Love Island being relegated to the sidelines.

It’s not just about one comment; it’s about a pattern of erasure and the constant feeling of being an afterthought that I recognise from my own life. 

It reminds me of all those times of not feeling good enough, or feeling like I had to always be 10 times better than white counterparts just to get half of what they are getting. 

Or all those compliments about my ‘strength’ and ‘resilience’ while peers received comments on their beauty. 

So not only does the ITV show need to up their game in terms of recruiting Black islanders, they need to be wary of how they are treated. 

Because Love Island’s persistent failure to appropriately look after Black women – by failing to uplift them (whether that be because of lack of suitable romantic matches or, as in past seasons, placing them among people who have disrespected them) – isn’t just a casting issue, it’s a reflection of deeper societal biases. 

This has been a recurring theme across almost every season of the ITV show, with Yewande saying her name was mispronounced in 2019, Samira from 2018 being overlooked and feeling like she was the ‘token’ Black woman on the show, and Kaz Kamwi, like other Black female contestants before her (Yewande and Samira included), was chosen last in the initial coupling up during her stint in 2021. 

These incidents reveal a consistent pattern undermining the experiences of Black contestants, and the show’s producers need to take a long, hard look at the messages they’re sending. 

Are they actively seeking out diverse contestants who are genuinely attracted to Black women? Are they providing adequate emotional support, and representation and diversity behind the scenes, to ensure these women don’t feel isolated?

Until Love Island moves beyond surface-level diversity and tackles the underlying issues, it will continue to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and fail the Black women who dare to enter the villa. 

Yewande, a scientist, was often overlooked and found it difficult to form meaningful connections and has consistently spoken out about the lack of representation in the show, recounting her own experiences of men’s ‘types’ on the show invariably being Eurocentric ideals of blonde hair and blue eyes. 

Love Island needs to do better – not just for the sake of its Black contestants, but for the sake of its viewers, who deserve to see a more authentic and inclusive representation of love.

The UK is a melting pot, a vibrant tapestry of cultures and backgrounds. So why does Love Island insist on serving up the same tired narrative year after year where Black women are forced to ask why they aren’t doing more. 

Meanwhile, across the pond, Love Island USA is displaying a cast as diverse as the country it stands for. 

Watching that version, there are a number of Black contestants, all are celebrated in their own unique way. It gives viewers a sense of representation and a welcoming feeling. 

Olandria and Chelley are given more options and respected and found attractive in a way it often seems UK contestants aren’t. 

The conversation between Blu and Alima felt like a painful reminder of the narrow beauty standards that still dominate the show – and, let’s be honest, society.

I don’t think Blu would have told a blonde white girl that she wasn’t his type within seconds of meeting her. 

For me, Blu’s comment, and the wider issues with Love Island, just reinforces the idea that Black women are somehow less desirable, and that is a damaging message to send. 

Love Island needs to do more than just tick boxes. It needs to create a space where everyone feels valued and has a fair chance at finding love, regardless of their background. 

So with six weeks to go, let’s bring in some bombshells who actually appreciate Black contestants. It’s not about forcing anything, but about creating a space where everyone feels seen and desired. 

Love Island is viewed by millions, and it is off to a bleak start for Black women after last night. 

But it has the potential to be more than just a manufactured drama fest. It’s time to ditch the tired tropes and create a season that’s genuinely exciting, inclusive, and full of surprises.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.