Love Island: How old is too old?
Love Island All Stars is back for a second season, but its return has had viewers speculating: are the Islanders too old?
Love Island has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting viewers with its mix of romance, drama, and entertainment. However, a recurring topic of discussion is whether the contestants are getting too old for the show. Traditionally, the series has featured young adults in their early twenties, reflecting a youthful and vibrant energy. This age demographic has been appealing to the show's target audience, which often skews towards the younger end of the spectrum.
As the seasons progress, there are signs that the age of contestants is creeping up. Some argue that this shift could be beneficial, as older contestants may bring more life experience and maturity to the relationships formed in the villa. This could lead to deeper connections and more meaningful interactions, rather than the often-superficial dynamics seen with younger participants. On the other hand, some fans feel that the essence of the show lies in the exuberance and naivety of youth, which can lead to more spontaneous and entertaining moments.
At the beginning of the current All Stars season, Love Island welcomed its oldest ever contestant, Marcel Somerville, at 39 years of age. Marcel first appeared on the third season of Love Island, which aired in 2017, when he was 31 years old (still 7 years older than the average age of contestants on the show). However, many viewers are less concerned with Marcel’s age, but rather his complicated, current relationship status; Marcel tied the knot with model/ influencer, Rebecca Vieira in 2022 after having a son together in 2021, but recently filed for a divorce after he discovered Rebecca was having an affair. Despite this upsetting end to his relationship with Vieira, Marcel entered the Love Island villa full of optimism, stating “what better place to get back on that course.”
However, it could be argued that reality television shows, such as Love Island, have warped the public’s perception of age. For example, recent studies showed that the average age in the UK to get married was 38.4 years old for men, and 36.1 for women in 2019, while the average age of Love Island contestants -many of whom claim they are ready to ‘settle down’- is 24 years old. Therefore, it is completely unreasonable for viewers to expect Love Island contestants to make significant commitments within relationships at such an immature age. Furthermore, many viewers criticise the show for its unrealistic storylines that are putting idyllic, utterly ridiculous expectations upon the young people watching.
Although, these fairytale-like love stories are not entirely impossible. Series 2 runners-up of Love Island, Alex Bowen and Olivia Bowen (previously Olivia Buckland) married in 2018 aged 27 and 24, making them approximately a decade younger than the average age of marriage. This seemingly perfect pair are the embodiment of the type of romance that Love Island fans tune in to watch every year. But is it healthy for the show’s vast demographic to anticipate such unlikely outcomes? And when these couples do take the next crucial step in their relationship, are they simply an exception to the general trend, or did pressure from the press and fans lead the couple to get married prematurely?
Ultimately, whether contestants are getting too old for Love Island depends on what viewers are looking for in the show. If the goal is to maintain a light-hearted, youthful atmosphere, then the producers might need to consider casting younger individuals. However, if the aim is to evolve the show and explore more complex relationships, then older contestants could be a step in the right direction. The balance between entertainment value and the authenticity of relationships will continue to shape the future of Love Island.
https://www.statista.com/topics/5012/marriage-and-weddings-in-the-uk/#topicOverview
https://www.capitalfm.com/news/tv-film/love-island/all-stars-marcel-age-ex-wife-son-height/
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