Ever since Love Island changed the way they show sex on screen, it’s safe to say the reality show has been a lot less racy. Unlike the glory days of season two, when contestants were literally commentating on each other’s nightly sexcapades, nowadays the best glimpse we have at whether or not a couple has gotten intimate is a creepy shot of their touching feet. (Or, those wildly problematic lad chats that happen after anyone merely pecks lips).
According to Montana Brown though, who appeared in season three of Love Island, just because it’s not on-screen, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Appearing on an episode of podcast Mouthing Off with Olivia Caridi, Montana spilled all the behind the scenes gossip about sex in the Love Island villa.
‘People are having sex everywhere – like genuinely everywhere – all the time. In the day, in the night, upstairs, downstairs. It is hilarious, because you know they can't really put it on camera,’ Montana revealed. ‘I remember at the start, everyone is so aware of the fact that you are literally five centimetres away from the next couple in a bed, with like 12 different couples, but everyone just gets so comfortable.’
Montana has admitted in the past that she would advise future contestants not to have sex in the villa, telling Metro ‘in hindsight, having sex on TV wasn’t the best idea. My advice to the new hopefuls is not to do it. If I could have done it differently, I wouldn’t have had sex.’
But it’s interesting that certain scenes are aired, while others go unnoticed. One memorable scene of Montana that was included in the show was when she and ex Alex Beattie took a break from the plastic baby challenge to have sex. While the scene was nowhere near as long as those of former seasons, it’s interesting that producers chose to include that but not others.
According to reports, there’s no hard and fast rule on whether sex will be shown or not. Insiders have told various outlets that if contestants say they’re not comfortable with sex scenes being broadcast, they’ll take it into account based on how many contestants have expressed regret at their sex scenes being aired after being on the show.
There’s also reports that producers leave out any scenes that aren’t gossip-worthy in the villa. After season four aired and there were marginally less sex scenes, The Sun reported that ‘producers had a rule this year that meant unless the islanders talk about the sex they won’t show it on screen. So like with the Do Bits Society, if they talk about it they show it. But if they don’t, then it won’t make the cut. It’s pretty respectful and some of the cast have been using it to their full advantage.’
If you had sex but denied it to production they couldn't air the footage.
Megan Barton-Hanson, who appeared on season four, was open about her sexual partners during the show despite the fact viewers were only made aware of her having sex with Wes Nelson, who she finished the show with. After leaving the villa, she revealed on Instagram that contestants could simply deny they had sex at all, and producers would be forced to leave it out of the cut.
‘What’s cheeky is if you had sex but denied it to production they can’t air the footage, so I would have had an easy life if I pretended that I didn’t like the other girls, but I love sex and it was pretty obvious,’ she said during an Instagram Q&A.
So, while there are clearly some areas producers can imply sex has happened, it seems contestants have a few options if they don’t want scenes to air. Of course, it should be the case that if contestants request their sex life is not discussed on screen, that it isn’t at all.
The lack of sex shown on screen might not be as salacious viewing for Love Island fans, but when it comes to protecting contestants from the onslaught of hate they get leaving the villa, it’s a necessity. While we still live in a world where women are slut-shamed for even admitting they like sex yet treated like objects to be won by men alike, safeguarding is the most important thing producers can do when it comes to Love Islanders sexual antics.
Click through to read the rules Love Islanders are forced to follow that are actually quite weird...
Love Island Rules - Grazia
1 of 17You can’t masturbate
With rumours swirling that Sherif was booted from the villa for masturbating in the shower, The Sun reported that he would 'spend hours' in there - however, he wasn't necessarily masturbating himself. 'When producers told Islanders they have to get ready to film a challenge, Sherif was deliberately spending ages in the shower. He said he couldn't be bothered,' the source said. Avoiding challenges or participating in some healthy self-care? All we know is 2 months without masturbating is a long time to go...
2 of 17You have to shower at certain times
When writing for Grazia Daily, Zara McDermott revealed that she was most shocked to see Islanders showering in the morning. 'We could only use the shower each evening,' she said of last season. Spending all day in the sun without a morning shower? No wonder Amber was worried about smelling when she Michael went to kiss her last night.
3 of 17You can’t talk about your relationship on Saturday's
In a shock revelation on This Morning, 2017 Love Island winner Kem Cetinay revealed the real reason the show doesn't air on Saturday's. 'They give you one day off. You get one day off per week,' he said, 'What happens is, it gives them a day to clean the villa, and you take your mics off, and normally we go to the beach.'But that wasn't the only startling revelation, he also admitted that producers watch Islanders like a hawk because they're not actually allowed to discuss their relationships. Essentially, anything they have to talk about their home lives outside the villa, lest they be scolded for breaking the all important rules.
4 of 17You can only have two glasses of wine or beer on a ‘big night’
They get dressed up, put on a full-face of makeup, film awkward dance sequences, and all for two little glasses of wine or beer. According to 2016 Islander Liana Isadora Van-Riel, 'you're allowed one or two drinks a night, either wine or beer, no spirits.'And while contestants will opt for two drinks on a 'big night', most nights they just have a cup of tea. Wild.
5 of 17You can’t be naked ever, even in the bathroom
Since the villa is technically a public space, there can be no nudity whatsoever as it would be considered public indecency. That means even in the bathroom, islanders can never be completely naked in front of each other.
6 of 17You can’t read a book or magazine
We knew about the no phone rule, which makes sense given they don't want Islanders reading about themselves online or hearing updates from the outside world, but no books or magazines?! No wonder half of them end up stir crazy, with 2017 contestant Montana admitting the villa is really boring day to day.
7 of 17You have to eat at certain times
According to Montana, contestants can make their own breakfast but lunch and dinner is always catered. In fact, food is brought through a secret door. 'In the larder there's another door that goes out the back that they lock,' she said, 'That's how they deliver food.'It's long been a question why we never see the Islanders eating, but Montana stated that's when producers come in and charge the contestants microphones, insisting 'everyone wants that good because it's so yum.'
8 of 17You can’t take your mic off ever
One of the most serious rules in the villa, contestants aren't allowed to take their mic's off apart from on Saturday's, their off day. If you're caught doing it more than once, you'll be axed from the villa immediately, according to The Mirror.
9 of 17You're not allowed to know the time
You essentially have to become a full Girl Guide in the villa if you want to know the time, telling it through the sun. Because, Islanders aren't allowed to know themselves and all of their phones are set to different times. 'You never know what the time is,' 2017 contestant Montana told The Independent, 'They'll wake you up by putting the lights on or a voiceover will say "Islanders, it's time to get up".'
10 of 17You can’t smoke in the villa, even in the garden
Last year, Love Island stopped showing scenes where contestants were smoking after complaints they were all partaking in the habit too much. Now, Islanders aren't allowed to smoke on the premises at all, even in the garden.
11 of 17You can't have unprotected sex
With rumours Kem and Amber got in trouble last year for having unprotected sex, this rule seems to be even more integral this year. Discussions around sex on Love Island have snowballed massively as the seasons become more and more popular each year. While early seasons saw Islanders getting busy almost every night, in the same room with scenes often aired every episode, sex has become much more taboo - when it comes to airing it at least. Last year, producers decided to stop airing sex scenes, as well as the Islanders smoking. Given the slut-shaming many female contestants receive upon doing the completely natural act it's unsurprising.
12 of 17You have to go for scheduled chats
And they must be juicy. According to Montana, when she and fellow 2017 contestant Camilla were talking about hymms they like, producers intercepted and told them to spice it up ('that's not interesting', they said). In fact, producers will also intervene to ensure certain people talk, but the conversation itself is not necessarily staged. 'They might be like, "Camilla, pull Montana aside and ask how she's feeling about Alex"', Montana admitted.
13 of 17You’re not allowed to get waxes
It's long been wondered how the contestants keep up with their beauty routines in the villa, with not a bumpy bikini line or stubbly chest in sight. Do contestants have waxers brought in to the villa? Absolutely not, according to Montana. While the women in her season requested wax strips to do it themselves, they 'all had bruising' and so resorted to shaving, with Montana insists 'most people' do.
14 of 17You absolutely cannot have drunken sex
A huge villa no-no, drunken sex is completely off the cards for Love Island contestants. Given that they're allowed two wines or beers on big nights and most of them sip on tea all night, we're not sure that's a huge risk, to be honest.
15 of 17No inappropriate language or behaviour
One of the actually non-weird rules, contestants are completely prohibited from 'innapropriate language or behaviour'. While it's quite a broad, and subjective, phrase, the rulebook applies it to racial slurs, homophobia and aggressive language. Plus, sexual harassment and physical violence is included in this rule.One of the biggest swirling rules about Sherif's ban is that he and Anton got into a heated argument. Given that the only other villa removal we've seen because of rule-breaking was when Malia Arkian punched Kady McDermott back in season two, it's high on the list of likely reasons Sherif was banned.
16 of 17They need to keep the complete rule book at all times
All of these rules must not only be obeyed at all times, but contestants must also keep the rule book in their possession too - just in case they forget about the whole no masturbating thing.
17 of 17No discriminating against staff
Another non-weird rule, contestants aren't allowed to be rude or discriminatory to staff or else they will be booted off.