“Love Island USA” is one of this summer’s most streamed reality-TV shows, thanks in part to Black viewers who are finally seeing people who look like us on the Peacock series.
The diverse Season 6 cast featured contestants from a wide range of backgrounds and produced fan favorites, like winning couple Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who split the $100,000 prize.
Not only are viewers heavily invested in their slow-burn, “will they-won’t they” love story, but Black Twitter is also eating up the refreshing and authentic display of romance that represents us. One Twitter user said Page and Beckham are “serving us Black love on a platter.”
“I know how it is when a woman is expressing themselves, especially just from my mama alone,” said Beckham, younger brother of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
It’s a far cry from “Love Island’s” 2016 series premiere in the U.K. Lack of diversity was a glaring problem that likely stunted consistent viewership. The first season of “Love Island USA,” which failed to feature more than two Black women, didn’t impress critics either. “The original batch of islanders is extremely bland,” a New York critic wrote in a 2019 review.
That lack of representation has resulted in a lot of backlash from media outlets and watchers of the franchise alike, especially among Black women. But couples like Page and Beckham have helped to change that perception. As a result, “Love Island USA” garnered 1.1 billion minutes watched during the third week of July to gain the No. 1 spot among streaming originals.
Since the season finale, Page and Beckham seem to be going strong, posting videos outside the iconic “Love Island” villa, Casa Amor in Fiji.
In a recent interview with Access Hollywood, the pair discussed their up-and-down relationship, as well as the public scrutiny Page faced after a particularly explosive fight earlier this season.
“And I know it’s not what people may see as aggression and just a lot of yelling,” Beckham added. “It’s more of emotion and passion.”
Landing a hit reality series is a bit like capturing lightning in a bottle, with “Love Island USA” being no exception. But the history of reality television has shown us that we can and will invest as a viewership. And, like every other viewer, we’re eager to see ourselves.
From blockbuster ratings on franchises like “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and when Matt James took on the role of “The Bachelor,” like any medium, when there is an investment in quality and representation, the viewers will show. Black Twitter also drives social engagement, with memes born on the social platform (now X) spanning out across apps like Instagram, TikTok, and more.
Once again for the people in the back: Black people are not a monolith, and just because the representation is there, does not mean you have a hit on your hands. But when we like something, we show up and show out ten-fold, which is exactly what happened with “Love Island USA.”
The full season of “Love Island USA” is available to stream now on Peacock.