Tonight, Love Island is back on our screens and the excitement is REAL! As the nation waits in anticipation for the return of our favourite dating show, there is not much else to unveil about this series. We know who our Islanders are, we've seen the beautiful villa and we know who the new host is. But here at Grazia we are true detectives, and we've noticed one VERY important detail that will change the course of the initial couplings.
In newly released images the boys are the first to stroll into the villa. They are seen arriving on the famous black jeeps, sipping champagne and even chatting with host Maya Jama. The lads are even pictured standing in the iconic starting lineup... without a girl by their side. It appears that the BOYS will be stepping forward for the girl they fancy this year.
Now, this is a very interesting choice for the show as avid Love Island fans will know that it's been ladies choice since series two. In the past producers have only ever allowed the boys to step forward during season one, which was before the show became a ratings hit.
The dating show has come under fire in the past for allowing Islanders - particularly black women - repeatedly feel undesirable after being picked last in the starting line up. From Kaz Kamwi to Yewande Biala and Samira Mighty, it was a hurtful pattern that the public furiously called out.
Last year an attempt to solve this was to allow the public to match up the Islanders - which did slightly take away from the magic of the initial coupling. Although, one pairing the public got right was Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, who are still together after being paired together by the public last year. Usually, in this moment the public really gets an understanding of the Islanders types and it is a lot more entertaining. It used to be a natural moment but last year it felt slightly over produced. However, if these images are anything to go by, it appears we will get that magic back this year.
In the past the girls stepping forward could have been seen as them having the power, but really the boys always did as they ultimately chose who they wanted to couple up with. So, with this twist perhaps the girls will really regain the power to influence their couplings. But ultimately, will it ever really change the gutting feeling of being picked last? Well, we will see tonight.