Love Island fans call for format change amid same-sex USA pairing
Love Island fans took to social media after Love Island US contestants Kassy Castillo and Johnnie Garcia shared a kiss.
Love Island is over this side of the pond, but the US's fifth season is in full swing – and making waves. In a recent episode, contestants Kassy Castillo and Johnnie Garcia confessed their attraction for one another, which culminated in a kiss.
Both girls have been involved with male contestant Leo, who was coupled up with Kassy when he pursued bombshell Johnnie in Casa Amor.
Though their intimate moment came as a surprise to viewers, the pair have been flirting behind-the-scenes, with fellow contestant Carmen telling Kassy: “You guys just flirt so much, but y’all are always funny about it.”
Johnnie also said that her door “has been open, but I never thought that she was serious”.
Back in 2021, ITV boss Amanda Stavri told RadioTimes.com that it would be a "challenge" to include gay contestants due to the series' format.
"In terms of gay Islanders, I think the main challenge is regarding the format of Love Island. There's a sort of logistical difficulty, because although Islanders don't have to be 100 per cent straight, the format must sort of give [the] Islanders an equal choice when coupling up," she said.
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In the wake of Kassy and Johnnie's kiss, fans of the reality have taken to social media to show support for the same-sex pairing, calling for the series' format to be changed.
"ITV in 2021: Same sex pairings on Love Island would be a "logistical difficulty." Tweak the format!", one fan wrote on Twitter (which was recently rebranded as X).
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Others joined in, adding: "Kassy and Johnnie are my winners, they need to couple up #LoveIslandUSA."
"In a completely shocking turn of events, Love Island USA is proving that including LGBTQ+ Islanders isn't a 'logistical difficulty' after all! Who'd have thought it!!!! #LoveIslandUSA," another Tweeted.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether Kassy and Johnnie's budding romance inspires the series to tweak its format, but fan support is certainly promising.
You can watch all previous seasons of Love Island UK on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial.
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