Love Island viewers complain that Yewande is getting less screen time than co-stars

'Instead of Where's Wally, we're gonna play Where's Yewande?'

Sarah Young
Monday 10 June 2019 13:28 BST
Comments
Love Island 2019: First awkward moment as none of the girls step forward for Sherif

Love Island might have only returned to our TV screens earlier this week but the show has already given viewers plenty to complain about, from Lucie’s use of the word “bev” to Joe’s “red flag” behaviour.

One of the biggest talking points of season five so far, has been the lack of screen time contestant Yewande Biala is getting.

The 23-year-old from Dublin has been in the villa since the very first episode but fans have taken to social media to complain that have not seen much of the scientist since she coupled up with Michael.

“All I’ve seen is unemployed Molly. Have some respect for me please! Where’s Yewande?” one person wrote on Twitter.

Another added: “Instead of playing the game Where's Wally, we're gonna play WHERE'S YEWANDE?”

A third wrote: “Where is Yewande this season? A really clever girl who also seems lovely getting no screen time at all.”

Others suggested racism was behind the lack of airtime for the contestant.

“This is actually racism at its highest level...we must fight,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Another added: “It’s actually making me mad that Yewande is not getting any airtime. Like this show isn’t enough racist and anti-diverse as it is [sic].”

In response to the racism allegations, a spokesperson for Love Island told The Independent: "As we have said before, it is not possible to show everything that happens in the villa due to time constraints."

The reality show has already been accused of racism after Yewande was the final pick on the debut show.

This meant an ethnic minority contestant had been chosen last for the fourth year in a row.

Former Love Island contestant Marcel Somerville highlighted the issue on Monday, tweeting: “This is mad!!!! #LoveIsland flashbacks!

"Black guy, black girl and mixed race guy all left unpicked. Mad!!!”

Somerville's tweet was liked more than 7,000 times. Several Love Island viewers made the same observation as the rapper.

Some fans also commented on the similarities between Yewande and former contestant Samira Mighty, who was in the last couple to pair up during the initial selection process on the fourth series of the reality television show.

"Soooo Yewande is receiving the same treatment as Samira, this is not okay," one person tweeted.

For all the latest on Love Island, follow The Independent's live blog here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in