Netflix’s latest reality dating offering, Temptation Island, may have provided viewers with lots of drama and gasp moments, but one thing people are questioning is how real the show is. The first series of the programme on the streaming platform, which puts four couples’ relationships to the test by planting temptation in the form of hot singletons on a tropical island, has seen threesomes, shower romps and shock sex sessions.
‘Shows like Temptation Island have to be scripted because to bring someone you love on there is pure Insanity,’ one viewer said, while another commented, ‘I hope Temptation Island is scripted because the audacity these men have makes me so angry.’
Two couples – Alexa Santamaria and Lino Troisi (now engaged), and Shante Glover and Brion Whitley – have stayed together, while the other pairs – Ashley Moore and Grant Larsen, and Tayler Byrd and Tyler Breshears – split, following their time on the show.
Glover’s decision to stay with Whitley after his infidelity with two women at the same time stunned viewers. One watcher remarked, ‘Shante from Temptation Island has rocks for brains. This show has to be scripted.’ Another added, ‘I really hope it’s all scripted 'cause telling me that all that happened fr fr is just diabolical, bro. Anyway, all the best to you, Shanté.’
Another viewer said of couple Moore and Larsen, who tried to make their romance last despite his cheating. ‘He cheated and then said, “I forgive you”. Is Temptation Island scripted cause noooo wayyyy this audacity is real,' they posted.
Is Temptation Island scripted?
Past contestants on the US show, which previously aired on Hulu for five series, have denied claims that the programme is fake.
Kaitlin Tufts from the fifth series said, ‘I mean, even if you tried to script this, it would never come out the way it was. Like, every day is a different twist and turn,’ she said. ‘IT’s just so real and mind-blowing that I don’t think you can write this if you tried.’
Madelyn Rusinyak, who was on the fourth season, said, ‘For me, [Temptation Island] was 100% real. Every time I had an emotion, and it shows on-screen, I was genuinely feeling that emotion.’
Series two contestant Karl Collins added, ‘Friends ask, “Is it scripted?” I just tell them no, it’s not. It’s as real as it gets. I think it’s important for viewers to know that. No one told us to do this or told us to say that.’
Executive producer David Goldberg said that the production team would have chats with the contestants, particularly if they’re having doubts about staying on the show. ‘There were many times when I would get a phone call from one of my producers saying, “Hey, so and so wants to talk to you.” I would go sit with them, and they would say to me, “I don’t know that I can continue on. I don’t know if I can deal with this like.”
‘I would say to them, “There’s a reason why you came. You didn’t come to break up, you didn’t come to stay together. You came to figure that out. And so you have to stay true to that commitment.” In the end, only they decide what’s right – it doesn’t matter what I think, doesn’t matter what the producers around them think.’
Shereen Low is a senior news and entertainment writer for Grazia, who lives and loves all things showbiz