Love Island fans slam public vote coupling up 2 Black contestants again

Dec 16, 2023

Love Island fans have been left unamused by series 10's initial couples just minutes into the premiere episode.

It was back to Mallorca and the villa again to kick off another summer of mingling singletons in the sun.

In a much-hyped twist though, the couples were picked by public votes from among the first 10 contestants, splitting into five duos (which definitely happened last series).

Ahead of the first episode on Monday, fans could make their choices via the Love Island app for which contestants they wanted to see paired up initially.

From Molly Marsh, Tyrique Hyde, Ella Thomas, Mitchel Taylor, Ruchee Gurung, Mehdi Edno, Jess Harding, George Fensom, Catherine Agbaje and André Furtado, the vote paired up Molly and Mitchel, Ruchee and Mehdi, Ella and Tyrique, Jess and George… and Catherine and André.

Viewers were not comfortable seeing the two Black contestants put in a couple together again, however.

‘Every single year it's the two token Black islanders that get coupled up,’ argued one person while another chimed in: ‘THEY PUT THE BLACK GIRL WITH THE BLACK GUY?! SHOCK!!!!’

‘Who in the public keeps putting the only 2 black ppl [sic] together own up,’ complained another.

‘Did voters think it was a game of "match the skin colours"?’ asked one fan while another chastised the British voting public for ‘literally just play match the skin colour every time’.

Last summer Love Island also featured an initial public vote that riled viewers after the four Black contestants were all put together, branding it ‘segregation’.

Every single year it’s the two token black islanders that get coupled up #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/GCxorS60uD

JUST BECAUSE SHE IS BLACK DOESNT MEAN SHE NEEDS TO BE WITH A BLACK MAN ! Stopppp #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/NGZ1qPUDLe

SAY NO TO BLACK LOVE GOD I AM TIRED #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/Wn8Q2h0506

The black people have been paired together – WHATTTTTT???? #loveisland pic.twitter.com/Fq7II6eHJK

Did voters think it was a game of "match the skin colours" 😭 #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/G25l2EpNnQ

The British public literally just play match the skin colour everytime they choose the couples #loveisland pic.twitter.com/YZuXNrGf8y

Hotel waitress Indiyah Polack was coupled up with pharmaceutical salesman Ikenna Ekwonna, while nanny Amber Beckford was paired with microbiologist Dami Hope.

Indiyah and Dami eventually finished third that series, and are still going strong a year later, recently moving in together.

However, estate agent Catherine and business agent André both insisted they were happy with the outcome, smiling as they stood next to one another.

Their first conversation together also confirmed that they had each had their eye on the other.

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Musical theatre performer Molly and gas engineer Mitchel were also very pleased with themselves, especially living only 20 minutes away from each other in real life, in Doncaster and Sheffield respectively.

However, aesthetics practitioner Jess and beautician Ruchee did voice some disappointment over their other halves, business development executive George and communications manager Mehdi.

Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.

Love Island continues on ITV2 and ITVX tomorrow night at 9pm.

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