Ariana Madix pushes back against the backlash over on-screen intimacy on Love Island season 8. Madix reminded viewers that a TV-MA-rated show features adults in adult relationships.
Ariana Madix reminded viewers that adults in adult relationships act physical on-camera
Ariana Madix, in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, addressed the backlash after the on-screen moments went viral. She said, “I was a little bit surprised [by the response]. For me, these are adults living [together], and it’s an adult show. So for me, the audience should be expecting people to act like adults in adult relationships. And people in adult relationships tend to get physical with each other on various different levels of whatever they’re feeling.”
Defending the Islanders, Madix said, “I support every islander in their journey of how physical — or if not physical — that they want to be in the villa. I don’t think anyone should be shaming them for either direction that they take.”
She also suggested that some viewers criticizing the intimacy might be watching the show for the first time, “Because if we go back to Love Island UK Season 1, that’s on another level.
Madix hosted seasons 6, 7, and 8 of Love Island USA; her return to season 9 has not been confirmed.
While talking about her return to season 9, she said, “I do wonder that sometimes. [People on social media have] been saying that every year and I always wonder where that comes from. I have seen comments online that say there’s some sort of two-year thing, and I’ve always wondered where that [rumor] came from.”
Her hosting work also earned her a first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program. Currently, she is preparing to host the season 8 reunion of Love Island USA.
TELL US – DO YOU AGREE WITH ARIANA MADIX’S RESPONSE TO THE BACKLASH OVER LOVE ISLAND USA’S INTIMATE SCENES?
Reported by Aman Sharma on Reality Tea.
