By Tyler Lai Sai
Whenever a new season of Love Island airs, it becomes the internet’s hottest topic as viewers go online to express their thoughts and opinions.
With Love Island USA currently airing its eighth season, the usual hype is back.
But why has this particular reality TV show become so addictive for viewers?
What is the premise of Love Island?
Love Island is centred around a group of attractive singles that are sent to an island to live together under 24/7 camera surveillance.
Throughout the show, ‘bombshells’ are introduced.
These are new attractive singles who are there to stir up the drama, test the loyalty of contestants and tempt islanders.
In order to survive and not get voted out by viewers, the contestants must couple up with someone for love, friendship or strategy.
The winning couple receives a cash prize.
A sense of community
Due to the nature of the show’s real-time rollout and rapid pace, after an episode of ‘Love Island’ has aired, many viewers take to social media to share their thoughts and opinions on the events that occur.
Through this, audience engagement like memes and discourse are created.
This allows viewers to connect with others, share humoristic content and ignite different conversations amongst fans.
It’s likely that even if you haven’t watched ‘Love Island’, you’ve come across a viral meme or some form of content surrounding the show.
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Real time engagement
‘Love Island’ has a companion app called Love Island USA (the title may differ depending on the region the show is set).
The show also allows for viewers to vote for their favourite islanders to keep them on through the app.
This new era of reality TV makes way for viewers to be active audience members instead of passive audiences who just watch.
Viewers become part of the storyline and play a role in how these relationship dynamics unfold.
For example, in season 7 of ‘Love Island’, audience members noted the chemistry between two contestants, Nic and Olandria, who were constantly with other people in the show.
Fans started to make ship edits which were going viral.
As a result, producers would try and create opportunities to set the couple up, which ended up being successful.
Escapism
Many viewers use the show as a form of escapism from everyday realities.
The quick rollout of episodes allows a low-stakes addicting break from their everyday routines.
It allows viewers to switch off and get invested in lives that are not their own.
Lessons in love
Although ‘Love Island’ has many critiques about how the show displays relationships, some argue that there is a silver lining to these critiques.
Viewers have argued that the show has sparked conversations surrounding the nature of complicated relationship dynamics.
Love Island has allowed viewers to examine their own relationships.
The show presents a snapshot of modern day dating issues that can act as a mirror for fans.
Although the issues presented on the show are not directly relatable, it can prompt fans to explore their own relationship dynamics.
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Newsjustnews writers 
James Mario Ajero 
Jheruleene Anne Ramos