Love Island embroiled in ‘toxic femininity’ row after women reduce male contestants to tears

Love Island is embroiled in a ‘toxic femininity’ row after women on the show reduced some of the male contestants to tears.

Viewers of the controversial ITV reality series have been left fearing for the mental health of male stars.

Some fans have accused the girls of hypocrisy for celebrating their ‘sisterhood’ but misbehaving in the same way as the men.

Tanya Manhenga, 22, Olivia Hawkins, 27, and Australian Jessie Wynter, 26, are widely considered the ringleaders in the villa.

Last Thursday saw emotional scenes after the Casa Amor stunt, in which men and women are split up, some being put in another villa and all introduced to new singletons.

Controversy: Love Island is embroiled in a ‘toxic femininity’ row after women on the show reduced some of the male contestants to tears

Shocking: Tanya Manhenga, 22, (pictured) Olivia Hawkins, 27, and Australian Jessie Wynter, 26, are widely considered the ringleaders in the villa

Sad: Shaq burst into tears on Thursday night’s episode after an explosive Movie Night saw him argue with partner Tanya

Upset: After Tanya ignored Shaq in the kitchen, he left the villa, later crying as he spoke to friend Tom Clare

Tears: Shaq had a heart-to-heart with co-star Tom after the argument, who comforted him as he cried 

Contestant Shaq Muhammad was left in tears after his on-screen partner Tanya Manhenga went off with another competitor, Martin Akinola. Mr Muhammad was devastated and had to be consoled by contestant Tom Clare.

Ms Manhenga then humiliated Mr Akinola when she led him to believe he stood a chance, only to then publicly profess her love for Mr Muhammad.

Meanwhile, farmer Will Young burst into tears after the women jumped to the defence of Jessie Wynter when he kissed another cast member while in Casa Amor. But none of the women condemned Ms Manhenga.

Anger: Twitter was full of furious commenters after the feud, angry at Tanya’s behaviour and that she made him cry

Olivia Hawkins also rounded on contestant Ron Hall for criticising her, despite footage of her making derogatory remarks about other couples, none of which was challenged by the other women.

In addition, Mr Hall was ridiculed and made to feel he was in the wrong for appearing to encourage his fellow male contestants to give new arrivals in Casa Amor a chance.

Yet the women, led by Ms Wynter, were shown to have done the exact same thing in the villa.

This year’s female line-up has been branded the most ‘manipulative and toxic’ in the history of the show. One male viewer said: ‘I’ve never complained to Ofcom but I have tonight. Emotional abuse and bullying isn’t a joke – Tanya and Olivia need talking to.’

A female viewer wrote on Twitter: ‘I never thought I’d be siding with the men. Some of these women are toxic,’ while another tweeted: ‘Toxic femininity at its finest.’

Another wrote: ‘This women empowerment is too toxic for me. It doesn’t hurt to be self-aware, babe. And a bunch of you need to look in the mirror.’

An ITV spokesman said that contestants are trained in inclusive language and behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally.

During the show, Tanya did not apologise to Shaq for her actions which later led to a clash between the pair that later descended into an almighty row. 

Fans slammed Tanya for her ‘self-centred and immature’ behaviour, urging producer’s to send in a new partner for him.

One person penned on Twitter: ‘Shaq crying outside the Villa.. his showing guys have feelings, just we don’t try to show it In front of girls.. Yeah give him the 50k now, he’s won over everyone.’

Another added: ‘Shaq crying actually was upsetting to see… Tanya is very self-centered and immature. He deserves better.’

‘Shaq is way too mature for this game. He deserves so much better,’ a third agreed.

Someone else wrote: ‘Most emotional moment so far in this show was seeing Shaq try hard not to cry with Tom comforting him outside the villa and the other islanders would never know how much he’s having to deal with.’

Earlier in the show, Shaq reacted to the Movie Night clip of Tanya kissing Martin, he said: ‘So it was just a peck, yeah, and he went to kiss you? So we’re lying now?’

But Tanya stood her ground and said: ‘If you’re looking for something to be angry about, this isn’t it.’ 

The confrontation led to Shaq later saying to the boys: ‘I cant lie, I feel like she’s a liar, I feel like she’s full of s**t.’

Tanya became irritated, telling Olivia that she did not know what else to do and she felt she kept having to prove her love for Shaq. 

After Tanya ignored Shaq in the kitchen, he left the villa, later crying as he spoke to friend Tom.

Twitter was full of furious commenters after the feud, angry at Tanya’s behaviour.

One person wrote: ‘Tanya is actually the WORST person on #loveisland. Biggest gaslighter and hypocrite. Shaq deserves much better.’

Another added: ‘Tanya don’t deserve Shaq’ while a third said: ‘Tanya continues to prove she is too emotionally IMMATURE to be in a relationship.

The emotional manipulation she uses on Shaq to continuously justify her bad behaviour is actually MAD… honestly this whole lot of girls left can be chucked. Well except Sanam.’

Meanwhile, a separate person penned: ‘Not Tanya saying the old shaq is back and she doesn’t like it as soon as he shows human emotion… genuine gaslighting! It’s not an old version of him, he’s just hurt and reacting to your b********!’ 

Love Island was also reportedly hit with Ofcom complaints over ‘alleged racism and bullying’ towards former contestant on this year’s show Zara Lackenby-Brown.

The publications reports a total of 122 complaints for the matter were recorded to Ofcom in recent weeks. 

A total of 78 viewers also made complaints related to ‘alleged manipulative and misogynistic behaviour from other contestants,’ while 59 complaints accused contestant Tom Clare of ‘alleged aggressive behaviour’.

The publication reports that Ofcom is not investigating the complaints. 

On Thursday night, fans were quick to accuse the girls of hypocrisy during Thursday’s Movie Night, as they reprimanded the boys for their behaviour in Casa Amor.

In a tense episode, the girls, and Tanya in particular, failed to hold back from slamming the boys for their antics, despite struggling to stay loyal themselves.

Fuming: Fans were also quick to accuse the girls of being ‘hypocrites’ as they reprimanded the boys for their behaviour in Casa Amor on Thursday night’s episode

Really? In a tense episode, the girls, and Tanya in particular, failed to hold back from slamming the boys for their antics, despite struggling to stay loyal themselves

Many fans noted that the boys were getting far more of the blame for Casa Amor even though the girls were also tempted to stray.

This also came as many of the girls seemed to conveniently ignore a clip which saw Olivia state she’d already forgotten about Kai during Casa Amor, somewhat proving Ron’s claims that she was ‘playing a game.’

One viewer tweeted: ‘These girls trying to compete with who had it worse. NONE OF YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE HYPOCRITES.’

Another added: ‘This group of girls on Love Island are the biggest bunch of hypocrites. I really dislike them together. Special mentions to Olivia and Tanya.’

A third added: ‘These girls are hypocrties nobody has given Tanya the same energy they gave the boys. She did 100% the same thing. First season where I prefer the boys.’

‘All the girls are massive hypocrites because how are you all so mad at the way the boys acted but have no problem with tanya literally breaking Shaq’s heart bye,’ one raging viewer posted.

Exposing the truth: The same episode saw lots of viewers share their relief after Liv’s antics were exposed during Movie Night

Shock: Soon, it became apparent that Olivia’s true colours were to be revealed, as footage showed her forgetting Kai’s name and badmouthing the girls

Another angry fan tweeted: ‘I’m so bored of watching the boys grovel every episode, mainly because the girls are over-dramatising everything! Tanya did worse than all boys put together and she’s not had half as much grief.’

‘Never in my years of living did I think I would be supporting men over girls in Love Island,’ a viewer tweeted.

Clearly furious by the scenes, one viewer also posted: ‘I might actually write an Ofcom report about these girls.’

The same episode saw lots of viewers share their relief after Liv’s antics were exposed during Movie Night. 

After the boys got a question correct in their battle to watch more clips of the Islanders, they opted to watch Liv Actually.

Soon, it became apparent that Olivia’s true colours were to be revealed, as footage showed her forgetting Kai’s name and badmouthing the girls, which left the fellow Islanders shocked. 

She said: ‘Early days. I forgot his name, Kai. No, because it’s like new scenery.’

Other comments included telling Max that Claudia had forgiven Casey too quickly for kissing other girls during Casa Amor. 

But a determined Olivia remained completely unbothered and reacted to the videos by telling the others: ‘No, because it’s nothing I wouldn’t say.

Honest chat: Olivia, 27, pulled Kai, 24, for a chat to ask him directly why he didn’t name her as most untrustworthy during the Knowing Me, Knowing You challenge

LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

Tanya Manhenga 

Name: Tanya Manhenga

Age: 22

Location: Liverpool

Occupation: Student and model

Something not many people know about her: ‘I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you may not even notice it.’

‘It’s on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute.’

‘I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.’

Lana Jenkins 

Name: Lana Jenkins

Age: 25

Location: Luton

Occupation: Makeup artist

Something not many people know about her: ‘In my work as a makeup artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities.

‘Also, when I was 6-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.’

Tanyel Revan

Name: Tanyel Revan

Age: 26

Location: North London

Occupation: Hair stylist

Something not many people know about her: ‘My celebrity crush is Channing Tatum – I don’t like pretty boys, they give me the ‘ick’ because they always have a crap personality.’

‘Channing Tatum is handsome but not too pretty. He’s manly and he can dance.’

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‘If a man can dance I’m in love with him straight away.’

Olivia Hawkins

Name: Olivia Hawkins

Age: 27

 Location: Brighton

Occupation: Ring girl and actress

Something not many people know about her: ‘I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life.’

‘I’ve been a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress in James Bond with Daniel Craig and I’ve also been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.’

Tom Clare

Name: Tom Clare

 Age: 23

Location: Barnsley

Occupation: Semi-Pro Footballer

Something not many people know about him: I’m a High School Musical fan

 

Name: Samie Elishi

Age: 22

Location: London 

Occupation: Senior Estate Agent Coordinator

Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m a really honest person and I have no filter. I won’t take rubbish from anyone, especially when it comes to guys!’

Name: Maxwell Samuda

Age: 23

Location: London

Occupation: Finance Student and Restaurant Host

Who did he have his eye on in Casa Amor?  Samie. She keeps it real and she seems like she’s not afraid to speak her mind.

Name: Rosie Seaford

Age: 24

Location: Buckinghamshire

Occupation: Industry Placement Advisor

Something not many people know about her: ‘I have a really bad phobia of frozen food, I can’t touch frozen food.’

Kai Fagan 

 Name: Kai Fagan

Age: 24

Location: Manchester

Occupation: Science and PE teacher

Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a Jamaican citizen. Because of that I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.’

‘I play semi-professional rugby now for Burnage RFC.’

‘I’ve technically got three different degrees and went to three different unis.’

Ron Hall

Name: Ron Hall

Age: 25

Location: Essex

Occupation: Financial advisor 

Something not many people know about him: ‘On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye.’

‘It was the result of a football injury when I was 8. I’ve got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green.’

Will Young

 Name: Will Young

Age: 23

Location: Buckinghamshire

Occupation: Farmer

Something not many people know about him: ‘Every night I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes.’

‘A girl I was seeing told me to meditate, I tried it and loved it. I stopped seeing her and carried on meditating!

‘It’s a nice way to self reflect.’ 

Shaq Muhammad

Name: Shaq Muhammad

Age: 24

 Location: London

Occupation: Airport security officer

Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’  

‘Every time I watch Dear John I cry. 

That’s my favourite film. Any time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic film’, I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’

Jessie Wynter

Name: Jessie Wynter

Age: 26

Location: Sydney

Occupation: Personal Trainer

Something you may not know about her: She was on series two of Love Island Australia

 

Name: Casey O’Gorman

Age: 26

Location: Tring 

Occupation: Recruitment Consultant 

Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m really squeamish. I once cut my hand and passed out’

Name: Sanam Harrinanan

Age: 24

Location: Bedford

Occupation: Social Worker 

Who did she have her eye on in Casa Amor?  ‘Kai is my number one. Job wise I think that we’d connect a lot and I think he’s cute!’

Name: Keanan Brand

Age: 24

Location: Wigan

Occupation: Professional Rugby Player

Something he would put in his dating profile: ‘I’m of Irish heritage so I’ve always got the luck of the Irish with me.’