The Love Islandfinal is approaching and naturally, viewers are now thinking about their winning couple. For many, the couple that takes the crown has to be the strongest - but what makes a strong couple? It could be the couple who have triumphed over the most hurdles or the ones who have been together the longest. However, some fans are now prioritising the amount ofPDAas a defining category. Recently some viewers have been reevaluating the chemistry of long-standing couple Ron Halland Lana Jenkins due to their lack of PDA - but what does this actually say about the strength of a relationship?
Lana recently opened up about wanting to wait to have a physical relationship with Ron until they left the villa. Some viewers were quick to shame Lana for this confession and suggested that this meant Ron was not attracted to her. One viewer took to Twitter and wrote, 'Ron liked PDA with Tanyel [Raven] though - Lana is such a mug.' Whilst another wrote, 'You can't convince me Ron and Lana are actually into each other - the lack of sexual chemistry between them is clear.' Some of the Islanders have also decided that Ron and Lana's lack of PDA is a clear sign that they are not attracted to eachother - but this isn't necessarily the truth.
The importance of PDA to every couple is very subjective. For some, PDA is a no brainer and physical touch is an important love language but for others, it's something they want to save for intimate moments together. Not every couple needs physical intimacy to feel loved. It's also cruel to assume that Ron isn't attracted to Lana because he's not physical in front of prying eyes and cameras. We've seen Ron and Lana in romantic settings like the Hideaway and in kissing challenges and the chemistry is there.
Some couples are just anti-PDA. There is absolutely nothing is wrong with you or your relationship if you'd rather not snog each others faces off in a busy shopping centre. Just because Ron and Lana are not as physical doesn't equate to a lack of chemistry, nor does it mean they don't feel loved within their relationship. A couple who are all over each other in public could not be happy behind closed doors and vice versa.
Grazia spoke exclusively with Heart Bingo’s relationship expert and co-founder of dating app So Syncd, Louella Alderson, to gain further insight. She reveals, 'In short, PDA doesn't say much about a couple's relationship — it just depends on the individuals involved. For some couples, PDA is a healthy way to show their affection for each other, while others find PDA uncomfortable, inauthentic, and even embarrassing.'
She continues, 'PDA can stem from feelings of insecurity and an attempt to prove something to other people. Insecurity, particularly around how others perceive a relationship, can cause couples to overcompensate with PDA.' She adds: 'That being said, PDA can also be a natural response that comes from a place of genuine affection and appreciation. That's why it's important not to put too much weight on PDA as an indicator of the health of a relationship. Often the people criticising couples for a lack of PDA or too much PDA are projecting their own insecurities onto the couple.'
There are also many reasons why some people don't like PDA. Perhaps it stems from their background or their examples of romantic relationships growing up. It's not fair to dig into why Lana want's to limit their physical relationship because we don't know her back story or previous relationships. Maybe this is just how she feels comfortable leading their relationship on the show, then everyone should just leave it at that.
Louella tells us, 'Extroverts are more likely to engage in PDA, especially those who are in touch with their emotions. They tend to be more comfortable with openly expressing themselves and have an innate desire to share their feelings with others. She continues, 'In contrast, introverts are less likely to engage in public displays of affection, particularly those who struggle to process their emotions. They'd rather express their love in private and often feel that PDAs are too showy. Introverts are naturally more private and reserved. While their emotions may be just as strong, they're less likely to express them openly in public.'
On the other hand - some could see why the Islanders are drawing these conclusions. It feels as if we’re witnessing *very* public displays of affection at every turn in the entertainment world. From Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. So, on a show where PDA is the norm, going against the curve is bound to make the Islanders start to nit-pick - but it's just not necessary.
So, it's clear that judging someone on their level of PDA is not an effective way to work out if the couple are strong or not. As long as Ron and Lana are comfortable with each other - that should be all that matters.
READ MORE: Love Island: The Way The Boys Are Singling Out Ron Is Getting Hard To Watch
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