Not All Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Racial Preference On Love Island USA
Written by Leah (Bunny) Overstreet
The only white woman in the Love Island USA villa is experiencing rejection for what appears to be the first time in her blonde haired, blue eyed life. Frankly, she’s not taking it well. In Episode One of Season 8 of Love Island USA, islander Kenzie has chosen to couple up with Zach, and Zach is not exactly thrilled. During a semi-awkward chat he attempts to hint that, for him, this may not be a match made in heaven. The following exchange went a little something like that:
“You know I’ve never actually been with a blonde girl before.”
“You’re joking!”
“Most girls I’ve been with have been like…darker features.”
“Really? Just like long black hair?”
“Well, just dark… like dark typical features.”
Riiiight, right. Myself and other people of color seem to have quickly picked up what he was putting down. Personally, I saw the longing looks he appeared to be giving Trinity (a literal Black Barbie). I knew exactly what he meant by“ darker features”, and he wasn’t talking about no damn brunettes.
Despite trying to let her down gently, Kenzie expresses complete shock and befuddlement at not being someone’s ideal girl. Ultimately, Zach chooses to explore outside his couple and is snatched up by the bombshell (notably a“ darker featured” girl). Zach is quick to ask her about her ethnic background (Haitian and German) while getting to know each other in the California king bed they shared with Bryce. Meanwhile, Kenzie is back in the villa sobbing and lamenting how she always goes for“ cheaters.” She later confesses to KC and Sincere,“ I’ve never had a guy look at me and be like‘ yeah like you’re not my type.’” They didn’t have much to say, likely because they understood what a lot of us did: Zach likes women of color and had the misfortune of ending up with the only white woman in the cast. Luckily for him, he’s been hand selected by the mayor of the lightskins and this is gearing up to be the most racially diverse season in Love Island history.
It is clear that Love Island USA has caught onto their audience, especially since Season 6 with the overwhelming popularity of PPG—a trio made up of an Iranian woman and two beautiful dark-skinned Black women (one who ended up winning the whole thing). Ever since, they’ve been accused of trying to recreate the magic by continuing to pad the cast of the following seasons primarily with women of color, especially dark-skinned Black women who consistently end up as instant fan favorites. Love Island USA knows exactly what fans want to see. This sits in stark contrast with Love Island UK which is infamous for casting maybe one or two Black women per season out of an average of 25 to 35 total contestants per season. This has earned the franchise a reputation for being a predominantly white show with a lot of criticism for its lack of diversity. Even Love Island USA has been guilty of this in the past. If we compare the original cast from season 1 versus season 8 the contrast is stark.
Love Island is a case study in feature preferences from hair color to skin color to breast size. For some, this show taught us that when white people refer to their type as“ tall, dark and handsome” they are not referring to Black or dark-skinned individuals, but rather brunettes with brown eyes. Other Caucasian translations include“ light features” (a white man or woman with blonde hair and blue eyes) and“ dark features” (a white man or woman with brown hair and brown eyes and maaaaybe a bit of a tan).
Zach (brother to famous blonde lover, Charlie, from Season 7) has made history by shaking reality as we—and Kenzie—know it by using the term“ darker features” to seemingly describe women of color and reject a woman that would usually be the beauty standard on a show like this. It is not often stated so plainly. I’ve noticed that when white people happen to have dated people of color, they sometimes shy away from saying so explicitly. Instead the phrase often used is“ I don’t really have a type,” or“ I date all kinds of people,” or even“ none of my exes look alike.” I’ve yet to see someone on Love Island be so direct in their preference for women of color.
Obviously I don’t relish another woman’s suffering, and it is unfortunate that Kenzie is experiencing what I’m sure is an embarrassing rejection on national television. However, it is so fascinating for me to watch this blonde with blue eyes and big boobs experience what has been par for the course for YEARS for women of color. Generally but especially within the Love Island franchise. Like many women of color, I’ve come to terms with not being someone’s type simply because of my race. Some people just don’t see Black women or women of color as romantic/sexual prospects. Love Island has historically casted absolutely stunning Black and brown women over the years and, up until somewhat recently, a decent portion of them have either been ignored by all but the boys of their own race, or relegated to the friendzone by the entire cast. The same has been historically true for the men of color as well. There are, of course, many exceptions and plenty of Islanders of color who have had very pleasant experiences on the show, but I am talking about the average experience that has largely colored (no pun intended) the conversation around Love Island, and what is widely accepted as a diversity problem by its fans.
Bringing us back to the current season: there only being 3 white people in the OG cast is unheard of. I will admit that, for entirely personal reasons, I was happy to see this complete reversal of demographics. I was also delighted to watch women of color and especially Black women be treated as the absolute prizes that they are. For years, I’ve been shouting at my TV screen, wondering why no one seems to recognize how absolutely unreal and stunning all of the women of color have always been. Finally, finally the roles have reversed. Obviously, Love Island USA is far from perfect but this season it seems to have gotten one key thing right: casting men who are actually attracted to the women of color on the cast. Much of the diversity of previous seasons went to waste because the show kept casting guys who described their type as“ blondes” or“ brunettes with blue eyes.” This time around they’ve cast plenty of brown and Black girls and the few white men on the island are actually interested in them. And yes,this is so refreshing!
So, it’s not necessarily that the Internet is collectively rejoicing at the suffering of one poor white girl. Rather, we are feeling a collective catharsis at the implications of blondeness and whiteness being dethroned on a national stage. I also think her reaction to Zach coupling up with Kayda was a bit over the top for a man she was with for no more than 24 hours. She openly pouts and glares at Zach, refuses his multiple attempts to talk to her, and tries to put him down on several occasions. She is not the only person in the villa experiencing rejection and she is handling it the worst so far. I think this is especially notable because the people of color in the villa have been taking it on the chin for ages.
That being said, I would not be at all surprised if Zach were to still end up with a white woman. Who knows, maybe a standard brunette (a nice Italian girl perhaps) will still tickle his fancy and I’ll have to live with my disappointment. I’m personally really rooting for him and Trinity to give it a go but we shall see (perhaps it’s a little too Nicolandiran to be true). There’s also still a long way for Love Island to go as a franchise. From what I hear of the UK season, it doesn’t sound like they are having the same renaissance that their USA counterparts are having (hell, maybe they should let Kenzie try her luck across the pond). Regardless of the outcome, I truly hope everyone gets the chance to fall in love, swap spit, and maybe be part of reality TV history.
