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Love Island USA viewers spend five nights a week checking in on the islanders looking for love in the villa. For a series that runs for six weeks, this is more than enough time to develop emotional investments in the fate of strangers-turned-reality stars. Without access to phones, the islanders have little intel about what’s happening in the outside world — and Love Island wants to make sure they don’t return to a storm of malicious comments and harassment.
“We appreciate the fans, the passion for the series, and the amazing group of Islanders who are sharing their summer with us,” a statement shared on the official Love Island social media accounts reads. “Please just remember they’re real people — so let’s be kind and spread the love.” A similar message was shared during Tuesday night’s episode as well.
The statement is the second warning to be issued to viewers in the past week. On Saturday, host Ariana Madix issued one of her own during “Aftersun,” the one weekly episode that recaps the show with former contestants while the ones inside the villa get some respite from the cameras. “I do want to say something to some of those people that are online,” she said. “Don’t be contacting people’s families. Don’t be doxxing people. Don’t be going on Islander’s pages and saying rude things. You still have time to delete all of that, because the Islanders don’t have their phones, so we’re giving you a chance.”
She added, “This is a fun, amazing, beautiful show. And we should be thanking each one of these Islanders every single day for giving us themselves.” Many fans in the comment sections across platforms have flipped the blame on the Love Island production team for their framing of certain Islanders throughout Season Seven so far.
Love Island issued similar warnings in 2024 ahead of the Season Six reunion. The constant stream of viral clips from the series brought in an influx of new viewers, which marked a notable shift in engagement for better and worse. “The reunion is full of drama, but remember — these are real people, so let’s keep it kind and positive,” a statement read. “Let’s end the season with the same love and respect we started with.”
Shortly before the reunion premiered, former contestant Daniela Ortiz Rivera shared an emotional TikTok about suicide awareness. “I’ve personally lost family members. People who mean a lot to me to that. And the way I wish I could have done something about it kills me every day that I couldn’t do anything about it kills me every day,” she said. “At the end of the day, these people aren’t characters. They’re real people with real feelings … One bully, one online hater, has done this to many people.”
The video was filmed after the reunion, during which the subject of online hate was a prominent topic. “Hearing people talk about that today, and just hearing expressed to me multiple, multiple people are going through this,” Rivera said. “And it breaks my heart and please be more kind to these people. Everyone is going through so much. Everyone’s learning from their mistakes every single day.”
