WARNING: This article includes mention of mental health issues
Heya, reality TV show superfans Soph and Maia here, and we have a bloody bone to pick with ‘Love Island All Stars’.
The latest off-screen scandal has us - as fans - more concerned about the well-being of Islanders than they are for each other - and that’s a VERY dangerous thing.
The final aired last night here in NZ, and there’s been chat of ex-Islanders allegedly trying to sway the public vote, pitting fans against one couple to stop them from winning.
Runners-up Luca Bish and Grace Rosà Jackson became the centre of an online scandal after rumours circulated about messages Grace supposedly sent before entering the villa.
They suggested Grace wasn’t there for love at all, and was determined to win.
But that’s not even what’s grinding our gears the most. It’s the insane amount of flack Grace has copped over these texts.
In her exit interview post-final, Grace insisted there was absolutely no validity to the rumours. "I know in myself that I stand on it 100% that I’ve not said that," she said.
Real or not, are we seriously pretending the whole point of a dating show isn’t to WIN?
You wouldn’t see a contestant entering ‘Fboy Island’ with no intention to win. They literally enter for the prize money at the finish line and finding love is considered the added bonus.
Every contestant has an end goal… to win the show (and the $55K NZD prize, btw). Some just get lucky and fall for each other along the way.
Even Love Island’s biggest success story, Molly-Mae Hague, admitted she went on the show as a “business move” and she still found love. If the queen herself can do it, anyone can.
Grace’s alleged intentions? No different from any other Islander.
These were spread by multiple ex-Islanders, including dumped ‘All Stars’ contestant Oliva Hawkins, who entered the villa accusing Grace of doing “whatever it takes to win” and alleging she had seen screenshot receipts.
There are multiple versions of these alleged screenshots - already a red flag - but one of the most shared came from ex-Islander Mitchell Taylor, AKA Messy Mitch.
He posted a screen-recorded video on his Snapchat story, seemingly showing Grace messaging an unknown person: “I will win this time,” followed by “I’ll do anything to.”
According to The Tab, Mitch - who happens to be close mates with winner Casey O'Gorman - later admitted in an Instagram Live that he was sent the screenshots and they "could be fake".
He also claimed that Casey and Gabby won “because of me”.
Both Olivia and Mitch are notorious for stirring drama (let’s be real, his nickname is literally Messy Mitch), but trying to sabotage a couple with unverified messages is just out of line.
This isn’t just a reality TV messy plot line – it has real consequences.
Post-villa social media hate has already led to the tragic losses of ex-contestants Sophie Gradon, Mike Thalassitis, and former host Caroline Flack.
Since then, ITV has introduced a ‘duty of care process’, including therapy, medical assessments, behaviour training, a welfare team, and social media handling support.
Messy Mitch and Olivia needed to be a lot more considerate of everyone’s welfare in this situation, including their own. Luca and Grace are receiving a lot of scrutiny, which can be very dangerous for their well-being.
This scrutiny, however, extends to Olivia herself, who received a lot of harsh backlash from the incident. The 29-year-old is now reportedly under ITV’s welfare team’s care after receiving dangerous and threatening hate online.
These Islanders need to take better care of each other and hold each other accountable for dangerous behaviour.
We all love a bit of reality TV, but it’s important that fans, producers and contestants all tread carefully to keep it fun and make sure everyone stays safe.
Are you or is someone you know struggling? Here are some resources available to support you, and remember, it's okay to talk.
