Former Islander Sharon Gaffkarevealed that 'a lot of candid' conversations surrounding her bisexuality, and the difficulties of using modern dating apps as an ethnic minority woman were cut out.
Sharon, who has since been dumped from the island, spoke candidly to Faye Winterabout her sexuality.
Speaking to the Metro Sharon said: 'I had a conversation with Faye about it and she asked, 'Are you bisexual?' And I said, 'It’s something I’ve explored but I’ve never been in a relationship with a woman.’
She continued, 'A lot of the conversations I had about modern dating on the show were never aired, but I was very open about sexuality and being a mixed-race woman in modern dating.'
Ahead of the show’s return, ITV commissioner Amanda Stavri spoke to Radio Times to discuss the possibility of having LGBTQ contestants. Stavri stated, ‘In terms of gay islanders, I think the main challenge is regarding the format of Love Island. She added, 'There's sort of logistical difficulty, because although Islanders don't have to be 100 per cent straight, the format must sort of give [them] an equal choice when coupling up.'
Sharon also claimed that conversations she had with Kaz Kamwiabout online dating, and the challenges that come with it as women from ethnic minority backgrounds were not included either.
Speaking to Insider Sharon said: "I do remember one part of the show that never got aired was Kaz and I sat on swings with some of the lads and explained how hard it is to date in modern dating and using dating apps as an ethnic minority woman.'
She continued, 'Kaz and I come from those ethnicities that are very hyper-sexualized in modern dating. Actually, it would have done a lot of good [to air the discussion] because I feel like a lot of women who are from different races do have the same problems.'
Sharon added, 'For me especially I was wondering, 'Am I singled out in this? Am I alone in this? Has anyone else experienced the same thing as me or am I being targeted?'
During her interview she also discussed the unfair advantages other Islanders had that came from the lack of diversity.
The civil servant explained, ‘The producers are meant to match people, with Hugo, his type is blonde and there were lots of blonde girls in the villa but whose type was I? Why was I brought in here? Who was I supposed to be? Or was I just somebody's space to fill? I did feel like that at times.’
She admitted 'I think it made my time in the villa a lot harder to form an actual connection with somebody.'
Love Island have previously come under fire for lack of diversity on the show from all angles. Sharon’s claims will definitely bring more attention to these issues from race, to body diversity and sexuality.
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