Love Island host Maya Jama has defended the new line-up and pleaded with viewers not to judge the contestants on their appearance.
The presenter, 29, told she feels ‘protective’ of the Islanders and hopes fans of the reality series will ‘give them some grace’ after online trolls hit out at the new signings.
While some commented on the lack of variety displayed throughout the years, saying the new stars are ‘carbon copies’ of past contestants, others made remarks about the way the male Islanders look, criticising their ‘less than buff bodies.’
Maya accepts Love Island is a show that generates opinions but says the participants are ‘normal people’ and viewers should get to know their personalities before passing judgement.
Executive producer Mike Spencer has said the negative reaction from fans towards the opening line-up over the years may mean the show releases just video clips of future stars, rather than a promotional image.
Love Island host Maya Jama has defended the new line-up and pleaded with viewers not to judge the contestants on their appearance
The presenter told she feels ‘protective’ of the Islanders and hopes fans of the reality series will ‘give them some grace’ after online trolls hit out at the new signings
Maya said: ‘We have to give them some grace… I do feel protective once I know them.
‘In the beginning, this is a show where people are going to have comments on things but definitely… The last few series when I got to know them, they’re my little babies and friends and I love Aftersun for that because I can actually have a moment with them.
‘When I’m coming into the villa, most of the time I’m telling them they’re going home so there’s not much time for us to bond but Aftersun is a chance for me to get to know them properly and we have chats before we go live, I have formed nice relationships with all of the Islanders that have been on the series.’
During the All Stars final earlier this year, Maya said she related to contestant Molly Smith, who was under pressure to reconcile with her ex-Callum Jones, from when fans were desperate for her to get back with Stormzy.
Maya reunited with the rapper last year after they split when he was unfaithful and she was honest about the parallels in her personal situation when she was live on air.
She said: ‘I like to relate to them. There’s a level to it, you can’t be like ‘well I had this experience’, I have to remember I’m the host.
‘But I think it’s nice if you can relate to someone’s specific situation just to make them feel okay, we’re all in it.
‘I’m similar ages to them as well I can understand what they’re going through sometimes and we’ve all been through experiences like that… I feel a bond, we have a laugh when we can, when they’re not going home.’
During the All Stars final, Maya said she related to Molly Smith, who was under pressure to reconcile with her ex, from when fans were desperate for her to get back with Stormzy (pictured November 2023)
Islander Ronnie Vint has joined the line-up this series and he already has a close link with former star of the show, Olivia Attwood
Welsh rugby player Ciaran Davies is preparing to date on TV this summer as one of the youngest members of the cast
Mike has stated that the show may need to reflect on how they announce the Love Island line-up if the trolling continues.
He says while bosses listen to the reaction from viewers, it can be difficult to preempt the types of bodies fans want to see represented in the villa.
Speaking to , he said: ‘As we have showcased over the last 10 series, we will always strive to have the most representative and diverse cast across the board and in terms of regionality as well.
‘Job roles, people, we do, and we will continue to do that, we have some amazing bombshells coming. We will continue to do what we do, and we are excited to see who is coming in.
‘A lot of people write different things about the cast on reveal day. Some people would like to see Islanders with ‘normal’ body types, other people would like more ripped contestants.
‘These are normal people… they go from their normal day jobs to catapulted into fame and the media world. We have to give it a breath and let them show you what we have seen in the casting process.