As well all know by now, Love Island is a heavily edited TV show – after all, producers need to condense 24 hours of action into 45 minutes of captivating telly – as such, not all of the contestants are happy with the way they come across, with some speaking out to complain about the edit after returning to the outside world.
Winter 2023 finalist Tanya Manhenga is just one of the latest Islanders to hit out at the show for portraying her as a “villain” and suggested that what viewers saw wasn’t an accurate representation of her time in the villa.
When we caught up with runners-up Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins for Closer’s Love Island Secrets, we had to find out whether they felt the show portrayed their fellow Islanders fairly and they didn’t hold back.
Ron said, “Personally, I think some people are so much more genuine and so much more loving than they come across on camera. One thing that’s very important [to producers] is that everyone has a role or character, which is weird because when you’re in there you don’t assume that.
“But when you come out and you hear all this stuff, it seems like people just have roles to play. Some people just get put in roles. Whether they deserve it or not is down to whoever’s opinion, but a lot of people are very caring and genuine, but that side doesn’t come across as much.”
As for who he thinks got a “raw deal” on the show, Ron said, “For me, even Tanyel [Revan] at some points; some people probably saw her come across as maybe too upfront about things, but she’s amazing. So lovely, so loyal.
“She says it how it is so some people don’t like that. In my opinion, she’s so amazing that she should come across as one of the best in there. But I guess that’s just my friendly bias.” [sic]
Lana added, “In the villa me and Olivia [Hawkins] were really close and I’ve not watched any of it back in terms of what was being portrayed, but I don’t think she’s a bad person and coming out I was shocked that she had the reception she did and I didn’t like that she was upset about it.”
“I don’t think anyone deserves any of the hate. Yes, it’s part and parcel because not everyone’s going to like you – I think that’s just a matter of life – but Olivia seems to have got a lot and it’s a shame because I do think she’s actually quite a sweet girl.”