Spiritual Lessons from Love Island S7
Like most of America, I couldn’t look away from Love Island S7.; the dating show that took the summer by storm. Watching this show feels a lot like reliving high-school dynamics through good-looking avatars, and though it’s great television, I questioned the morality of the contestants, producers, and viewers frequently. Yet and still, I couldn’t look away, and even managed to siphon some spiritual lessons from season seven. Here’s what I gathered!
Looks are important, but they aren’t everything.
S7 female cast members.
On Love Island attractive twenty-somethings are placed on an island in Fiji for six weeks with the sole purpose of dating to find a genuine connection. Physical attraction is half of your success on the show, but just like real life, looks aren’t everything. This was demonstrated by two of the most sought after women this season; Huda Mustafa and Andreina Santos.
Andreina pictured left, Huda pictured right.
After the polarizing cast member Huda; stole the season with her infamous “crashout,” in episode 13, most of the men wouldn’t touch her with a ten foot pole. In fact, some wanted to vote her off the island all together. Huda was only re-coupled when a fresh group of men joined the show, and she made Love Island history by breaking up in the finale; a sad but satisfying ending to her controversial journey.
Andreina; was the bombshell heard around the world, breaking necks, and spawning the infamous Tik Tok sound, “I’m taking your man!” Yet she too ate humble pie. When her connection Jeremiah was sent home, she coupled with S7 winner Bryan Arenales. Sadly, her and Brian’s connection quickly waned due to a lack of stimulating conversations. When she approach another male islander to express her interest, he rejected her. We saw less and less of Andreina on screen, and she was dumped from the island soon after. These women’s experience confirms that beauty blinds, but personality permeates.
2. Move or be moved.
When various islanders with strong connections were dumped, contestants were forced to grab for straws, causing this season to feel staccato. Questionable couples formed, and single islanders survived through loopholes, and favor from their friends. By the time the finale came, there were no closed-off couples; leaving fans feeling flat. By refusing to let go, the islanders who fortune did favor gave up their own spots. One can only imagine the butterfly effect of Huda, Olandria, or Amaya leaving when they were on the chopping block. Instead all three made it to the bitter end. Proving holding on can be more detrimental than you think. Act with discernment to avoid destiny swapping.
3. When you do clownery…
One of the biggest scandals this season was the dumping of Cierra Ortega; the well-spoken islander who fans held to the fire for past racist remarks. She was removed from the villa, losing her spot and her closed-off connection in real time. There is wide-spread rhetoric that Cierra is disingenuous, and one has to wonder if her intentions backfired on her? We wont ever know why this happened to her, but I do know that when you do clownery, the clown comes back to bite! The same can be said for Ace, the fan favorite who lost favor with viewers for his treatment of Amaya Papaya, and perceived manipulation of the other islanders. Ironically, his poor treatment propelled Amaya into stardom, and sunk him to the shit list. He eventually regained some aura, but was sent home right before the finale, while Amaya went on to win the entire show. Karma is real; and what you put out will always boomerang back.
4. Love is LOVING YOURSELF
Amaya Espinal electrified the villa with her bright personality, but unfortunately she was too much for some. After Ace chose her to re-couple with, then shunned her for the rest of their relationship, the other men followed suit. Most guys would only engage when they needed something from her, and she struggled to find a genuine connection. Despite being an emotional wreck every episode she stayed authentic, and put her best foot forward, and it paid off dearly! She won America’s heart with her kindness, one-liners, and the tide turned in the villa when America’s votes were revealed. Once the islanders realized she was at the top of viewer rankings she quickly found friendship, fandom, and fortune—ultimately winning the show. A true Cinderella story that proves you always win by being yourself.
Amaya Espinal.
I came here for LOVE!
XoXo