I started the series with a blog about LI and want to reflect on the last eight weeks.
1. I cannot believe how much influence this show has. Seeing Dr Alex grow to almost a million followers on Instagram during this period illustrates the power this programme can have over your career. Great if you are a model or extremely fit. Really quite narrow minded though as the show is only open to slim or muscular men and women who most likely are entering a modelling career or have the necessary looks to get into that sort of work. Of course, night club appearances, advertising gigs and ITV2 spin-off shows are all in the pipeline for many contestants.
2. Thinking that perhaps there was a genuine backdrop of social experimentation with this, I am now certain that is not the case. It is purely about how sexy people can maintain viewers and most of the contestants are in it for the publicity rather than the chance at love. I was sucked in just like anyone else but popular characters have shown their superficial sides in this particular run. Georgia is the finest example of someone who is truly not ‘loyal’ to anybody but herself. When given the opportunity to leave the show and be with her supposed ‘love’ she quickly decided to stay and remain separate as she clearly wanted as many on-screen hours as she could scrape. Generally, they seem to do whatever they feel will make them popular and garner them votes.
3. I suppose my wish for next year is that the show is more inclusive. I hope it stops just having young twenties people, hope it includes gay and bisexual men and women, and especially look forward to a range of everyday people with varied personalities, backgrounds and body types. I guess that is unlikely but I definitely think it would make the show better and less of a vehicle for expanding Instagram advertising deals.
