Love Island Boss Says Show Has No Body Diversity Because It’s ‘Aspirational’

‘If you want to look like the guys on Love Island you have to work out’

Love Island Boss Says Show Has No Body Diversity Because It’s 'Aspirational'

by Phoebe Parke |
Updated on

We’ve been watching, talking and writing about Love Island all summer. It’s the show we found highly problematic and entertaining in equal parts, and one of those problematic aspects – you know aside from the language, privilege and gaslighting – was the lack of body diversity.

Many people felt that the show provided unrealistic body ideals – especially coupled with the plastic surgery ads that were shown in the breaks, and the show faced a backlash.

Now, ITV's digital controller Paul Mortimer has defended the show’s casting decisions by saying they ‘make no excuses’ for having attractive men and women on the semi-staged TV show this summer.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV festival Mortimer said; 'If you want to look like the guys on Love Island you have to work out.'

'I think on the body image thing, we cast very attractive people, it's a sexy show.

'It is entertainment on ITV2 and in the same way Hollywood casts a certain type to get bums on seats in theatres or other shows. For us it's a very aspirational programme for our audience. [It's the] perfect holiday they can only aspire towards.'

Mortimer may have slightly missed the point here, of course everyone knows that these shows aim to cast ‘attractive’ people, but to completely dismiss the uproar is a little short-sighted.

The body positivity movement isn’t going anywhere, people are quick to call shows out for not being representative, and champion those that try to be inclusive. Love Island might need to rethink its casting process, or at least take the complaints seriously if it doesn't want to face more uproar in the future.

READ MORE: The Best Memes From Love Island 2018

Gallery

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes1 of 31
CREDIT: @EmilyMccabe17

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes2 of 31
CREDIT: @LydiaGPugh

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes3 of 31
CREDIT: @abbiegoodwinn

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes4 of 31
CREDIT: @ASLMx

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes5 of 31
CREDIT: @meganpeers

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes6 of 31
CREDIT: @QueenOf_Dragons

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes7 of 31
CREDIT: @jadeklm

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes8 of 31
CREDIT: @niamb_scarlett

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes9 of 31
CREDIT: @ImNathalieJane

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes10 of 31
CREDIT: @Sharpieee22

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes11 of 31
CREDIT: @ellecampbell03

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes12 of 31
CREDIT: @ITV2

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes13 of 31
CREDIT: @CraigHazell

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes14 of 31
CREDIT: @ifyouseemegx

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes15 of 31
CREDIT: @aimeemorganx

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes16 of 31
CREDIT: @_Soetan

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes17 of 31
CREDIT: @dodsy_adam

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes18 of 31
CREDIT: @ITV2

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes19 of 31
CREDIT: @LoveIslandReact

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes20 of 31
CREDIT: @maxxdesign

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes21 of 31
CREDIT: @Dan_Williams_98

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes22 of 31
CREDIT: @JamieCalvert

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes23 of 31
CREDIT: @Thatssotasha

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes24 of 31
CREDIT: @asxhaa

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes25 of 31
CREDIT: @Max6938731

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes26 of 31
CREDIT: @lucyknottx

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes27 of 31
CREDIT: @LailaHussain4

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes28 of 31
CREDIT: @bennlowe__

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes29 of 31
CREDIT: @LoveIsland

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes30 of 31
CREDIT: @jarraddixon

Grazia Love Island Memes

Grazia Love Island Memes31 of 31
CREDIT: @Y2SHAF

Grazia Love Island Memes

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us