The start of Love Island is the unofficial summer kickoff.
Or at least it should be treated that way.
The sudsy, drama-filled reality TV staple returns to Peacock ready to unleash another group of single people in bikinis and colorful swim trunks as they search for connections under the blazing Fiji sun for our enjoyment.
(Courtesy of Peacock)
Each season brings something different, for better or for worse.
Some seasons are heavy on the drama, while others are heavy on the actual purpose of the whole thing: to find love.
Will the islanders even see this fun little list of dos and don’ts? Well, no. But that won’t stop us from making it!
Here’s a comprehensive list of everything we need to see, and everything we don’t, from the islanders this season, because why not?
Do Come In With Confidence
(Ben Symons/Peacock)
Look, the name of the game is to make a connection and get yourself to the end.
There is no point in coming into the villa and playing it safe because it won’t do you any favors.
This will never, ever be Friend Island, so if you see someone you like, go for it and let the chips fall where they may!
Explore, explore, explore!
Don’t Try To Be The Next Nicolandria
(Ben Symons/Peacock)
There are darling relationships that emerge from the series every season, with the most notable and popular being Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, the winners of Love Island USA Season 6.
And Olandria Carthen and Nicolas Vansteenberghe, the runners-up of Love Island USA Season 7.
Both couples amassed huge followings from the show, which has set them on the path to reality TV superstardom after their time in the villa, and it will be very easy to spot those islanders who want the audience to turn them into the next Kordena or Nicolandria.
Those couples were loved because they were themselves, and their connections felt real and worth rooting for. Every islander should be themselves, and not some version they think the voting public will latch onto.
Do Be Direct
(Ben Symons/Peacock)
This goes along with the confidence factor, but even more than just coming in and knowing what you want, it’s about communicating effectively with your fellow islanders.
If you like someone, let it be known. And if you’re no longer feeling someone, let that be known as well.
There will always be miscommunication because of the nature of the show, but so much unnecessary discourse could be avoided if people were more transparent.
It’s not always easy to express your feelings in such a high-pressure environment, but it’s Love Island! You’ve got nothing better to do than talk about your feelings in there.
Don’t Move Like A Villain & Expect A Hero’s Edit
( Art Streiber/Peacock)
Reality television always needs a hero and a villain.
Love Island makes it a little trickier because you’re trying to fall in love, not trying to outplay, outwit, and outlast everyone. (Though you kind of are if you think about it too hard.)
If you move around the villa recklessly, refuse to respect boundaries, or are unnecessarily harsh, don’t expect it to be viewed positively.
But at the same time, you shouldn’t even worry about how you’re portrayed in there, because there’s not much you can do about how people will ultimately judge you based on whatever edit fits the producer’s narrative that day.
Do Look For Love
(Ben Symons/Peacock)
In the early seasons of this show, the islanders were not coming off to the same level of fanfare they are these days. Most people genuinely seemed to be there to find a love connection, and sometimes it worked, and sometimes it did not.
Nowadays, islanders reach thousands, and sometimes millions, of followers by the time they leave the island, and their inboxes are filled with requests for brand partnerships and representation.
It’s all well and good to capitalize on the opportunities the show can bring, but eagle-eyed fans are quick to spot who’s there to potentially walk away with a partner and who is solely there for followers.
If you’re not being genuine, you likely won’t even get far enough to reap the rewards that the show’s exposure can bring.
Don’t Start Drama For Drama’s Sake
(Ben Symons/Peacock)
There is going to be drama when girls and boys are crammed together in a villa for weeks and dating within the same pool.
So, there’s truly no need to start drama just because you think it’ll give you extra screentime, or because you believe it’s the main reason people are tuning in.
Yes, part of the appeal of Love Island is watching the messiness play out, but audiences are well-versed in spotting a drama llama whose heart isn’t even in it.
There will ALWAYS be drama on Love Island. There is never a need to force it.
Do Give Us Personality
(Ben Symons/Peacock)
If you were cast on the show, you must have blown away the casting directors with your charm, since they know what audiences want to see.
So, make sure to bring that same energy to the villa!
The funniest and most down-to-earth islanders, who are just being themselves, are usually the ones voters rally around because they want to see authenticity.
It’s surely very hectic in there, but always be yourself, because fans can tell when someone is hamming it up for the cameras rather than being true to who they are when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Don’t Underestimate THEE Casa Amor
(Ben Symons/Peacock)
By the time Casa Amor rolls around, there are usually a few established couples and others who may be new or on shaky ground, and everyone starts to get in their heads when they’re separated from their other half for a few days.
If you think your connection is so strong and they will never leave you, so you close yourself off to new connections, THINK AGAIN.
The whole point of that experiment is to test whether the connection back in the villa is really the one, but acting like you’ve been separated for months instead of a weekend isn’t the play.
Play the game. Have some chats. See where it all leads you.
But never get TOO comfortable, because Casa Amor has been known to ruin lives, friendships, and many a group chat.
(Courtesy of Peacock)
Did we forget anything?
Let us know in the comments below if there are any more do’s and don’ts to consider for this new season!
We’ll be checking into the season this summer, so do come back for updates.
Happy Love Island premiere to all those who celebrate!
Love Island USA Season 8 premieres on June 2 at 9 pm on Peacock. New episodes air every day but Wednesdays.
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