As Love Island USA continues to grip the world, host Ariana Madix is reminding fans to be kind.
On the Sunday, July 6, episode of Love Island companion show Aftersun, Madix, 40, called out social media hostility directed toward the season 7 cast. “I love the passion of the audience, but sometimes it’s like, ‘Give them a second to resolve their argument before you just hop online and start being absolutely atrocious to these Islanders,’” she said.
“It blows my mind that again I have to say not to harass them on the internet. And I don’t understand why week after week we have to keep saying, ‘Don’t do that,’” Madix added, prompting agreement from Aftersun host Sophie Monk.
The latest season of Love Island USA has attracted record highs in viewership and social media interaction, however, producers — and Madix — have had to remind viewers throughout the season to treat the contestants with compassion.
“We appreciate the fans, the passion for the series, and the amazing group of Islanders who are sharing their summer with us,” the show’s official X account shared in late June. “Please just remember they’re real people — so let’s be kind and spread the love!”
During a June appearance on Aftersun, Madix also weighed in on the discourse surrounding events in the Love Island villa.
“I do want to say something to some of those people who are online. Don’t be contacting people’s families. Don’t be doxxing people,” she said.
Madix added, “Don’t be going on Islanders’ pages and saying rude things. You still have time to delete all of that because the Islanders don’t have their phones. So we are giving you a chance because this is a fun, amazing and beautiful show. We should be thanking each one of these islanders every single day for giving us themselves.”
On Sunday, July 6, Cierra Ortega’s parents called out online vitriol directed toward the recently-ousted Islander after it emerged she had used a racial slur in old social media posts.
“What’s happening online right now has gone far beyond [accountability],” a post shared via Cierra’s Instagram Story said. “The threats. The cruel messages. The attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters, it’s heartbreaking. It’s uncalled for. No one deserves that kind of hate.”
Cierra’s exit was confirmed by narrator Iain Stirling during Sunday’s episode amid growing backlash over her past social media activity. Stirling said Cierra had “left the villa due to a personal situation,” leaving her partner, Nic Vansteenbergghe, now single.
New episodes of Love Island USA are available six days a week — except Wednesdays — on Peacock.
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