NEW THREAD As I’ve said, I’m a big #LoveIsland fan and have seen nearly all of the seasons. And one thing that has always been interesting to me are Black and/or POC women’s treatment in the initial couplings. Colorism & society’s ideas of beauty always seem at play.

So this thread will break down every single initial coupling leading up to this past season of #LoveIslandUSA . It’s a slight pivot from my usual #Jaleb content, but still incredibly relatable - especially to our Queen’s journey. Alright, let’s go! #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUSA

1) Let’s jump forward before we jump back. One of the interviews our Queen Justine did after winning, she said she knew the history of Black women on the show, but took a chance anyway. #LoveIslandUSA

2) So cicrcling back, I take you to the very season of #LoveIsland This initial coupling looks ancient And it was the only time the girls picked. Let’s meet the first Black queen who ever entered the villa: Rachel

3) This dude, Lewis, who was already coupled up with another girl, steps forward for Rachel and she was like “BET!” A guy firmly choosing a Black girl doesn’t happen often (as you’ll see later) so I was hype for girl! #LoveIsland

4) So this is cool already! Out of the gate, we have a cute POC couple! And then, Lewis, shows his ass. #LoveIsland

5) So Rachel, who was on the “subs bench” (a place that at least one Black person ALWAYS ends up ) now gets paired up in a default couple - another theme for POC on this show #LoveIsland

6) Rachel and Omar only lasted about 15 episodes. They were never even close to making it to the finals. So.. there’s that. #LoveIsland

7) So now let’s shift to Season 2. This time, the guys who entered the villa were the ones to pick the girls (the standard model for initial couplings now.) Let’s meet our Sri Lankan Queen - Malin. #LoveIsland

8) So this dude Tom is the first to walk into the villa and Malin shoots her shot along with another girl, Sophie. #LoveIsland

9) And yeah.... Tom picks Sophie #LoveIsland

10) So the third guy to enter the villa is Javi - a guy who is more of Malin’s type on paper. She shoots her shot again. #LoveIsland

11) *EDIT* Javi was the 4th guy in the villa. Anyways, moving on. So now there’s Scott who walks in. And again, Malin is hoping 3rd step up is a charm. But he picks Zara and then Rykard ends up where?! The subs bench. #LoveIsland

12) And again, yet another default POC couple is formed. Though I have to say, they looked GREAT together. My God #LoveIsland

13) Malin and Rykard were pretty strong at first but then Malin broke things off and got with this guy Terry. Rykard got with a girl named Rachel and left the show with her. Malin was eliminated and Terry got with another chick. Nowhere close to finals for any of them.

14) Okay, so now we’re in Season 3! Let’s meet one of the truest sassy, classy, bougie, and a lil’ ratchet Black queens to ever walk into the villa: Montana! #LoveIsland

15) So I’m taking a pivot here to introduce Marcel. It was the first time I ever saw a dark skinned Black man walk into the villa. And what played out in his initial coupling was telling. #LoveIsland

16) I mean... doesn’t get anymore awkward than this... Sheesh! #LoveIsland

17) So Marcel, who was coupled with Amber gets dropped the moment Harley walks in. Marcel ends up - you know where #LoveIsland

18) Alright so we’re moving through the initial coupling and Montana has yet to step forward for anyone. Until Dom walked in Also, another default couple emerges once Marcel gets off the bench #LoveIsland

19) Now, I was hype for Montana because she was a Black girl who stepped forward for a guy and he picked her! This was rare. And it seemed that Dom was into her, but then, this chick, Jess, walked in... Lord have mercy #LoveIsland

20) So yeah, a couple days after this, Jess stole Dom from Montana and she wound up in friendship couples until Casa Amor. Ironically, Dom and Jess lasted outside the villa after they were eliminated. They are married with a kid now. So congrats to them I guess #LoveIsland

21) Okay, now we’re in Season 4. And for those who have never seen other #LoveIsland seasons, I’m delighted to introduce you to one of my fav Black Queens from this show: Meet Samira!

22) So now we’re into the initial coupling and by the time the 3rd boy Eyal enters, Samira finally steps up. Please notice in the background, nerdy doctor, Alex, is on the subs bench. Sadly, he becomes relevant in Samira’s #LoveIsland journey.

23) So the last guy to walk in is Jack. Samira shoots her shot again and well, more of the same nonsense plays out. And you guessed it, Alex and Samira end up in a default couple. So far there is always a POC woman who has ended up in a default couple. Sigh #LoveIsland

24) Samira and Alex were in a friendship couple for a long time. She eventually coupled with a guy named Sam, but it was her connection with Frankie (a Casa Amor fella) where it seemed she really sparked.

25) Sad part of Samira’s story is that we never got to see her flourishing relationship with Frankie. They got little airtime. Even their hideaway scene was never aired (sound familiar ) Frankie was eliminated & a couple days later, Samira voluntarily left the show.

26) Okay, so now we’re in Season 5 and FRIENDS THISISTHESEASONTOWATCH! It’s still my fav season ever, mostly because of the queens on the show, like... My girl: AMBER! #LoveIsland

27) And Yewande! A Nigerian Queen with an Irish accent. Get into it! #LoveIsland

28) NOTE: I probably could include Anna in this thread as she is Middle Eastern, but I have a juicy thread planned that heavily involves Anna, and I want to save her content for that. But I love Anna too. She’s a fav of mine as well #LoveIsland

29) Okay so the initial coupling has started. And let’s introduce Sherif. The second time a dark skinned Black man showed up in an initial coupling. I was curious if he would have Marcel’s same fate. #LoveIsland

30) And yeah, he kinda did. Though it felt less intense to me b/c there were more WOC and maybe they just didn’t “fancy” him (Yes, I’m a be British for a sec ) Anyways, Sherif picks Amber #LoveIsland

31) Next guy in is Michael. I’m introducing him here because him AND Sherif will eventually end up... you know where. Yes. Dead ass, y’all! #LoveIsland

32) But before he meets his eventual “default couple fate” he’s momentarily coupled with surfer girl Lucie. Bless it. #LoveIsland

33) I meant it when I said “momentarily” cause Joe shows up and Lucie kicks Michael to the curb. #LoveIsland

34) Ah yes, I forgot to mention that Yewande had FINALLY stepped up for someone (Joe)... So she had to take the L on that one. #LoveIsland

35) So now Callum walks into the villa. He greeted Caroline with a proper kiss and his gentleman vibes did something for Amber cause she dropped Sherif for him And Sherif joins our boy Michael on the subs bench. #LoveIsland

36) More default couple business Anna ends up with Sherif and Yewande ends up with Michael. Amber’s couple is the slight exception here, but the fact that 2 out of the 3 WOC ended up in default couples was again, TELLING! #LoveIsland

37) Listen, I can’t say enough good things about this season. I don’t even want to spoil it with how the WOC faired on the show because I need you all to watch it. If you’re having #LoveIslandUSA withdrawal, I promise you, this is the fix! It’s on Hulu. You’re welcome!

38) Ah, okay... so I skipped #LoveIsland Australia which, in chronological order, was before Season 5 of UK. But there wasn’t ONE woman of color in the initial 5 girls, so...

39) Alright, so now we’re in Season 1 of #LoveIslandUSA Sad to say, it wasn’t a season I got into but the initial coupling had some gems. Let’s meet one of the first WOC to enter the villa: Caro

40) Then cutie cute Alana enters the villa. #LoveIslandUSA

41) So a RARE thing happens in this initial coupling: Caro steps forward for Cashel and he picks her. #LoveIslandUSA

42) Before I state the 2nd rare thing, let’s meet Yamen real quick. Also shout out to Alana’s reaction upon seeing him #LoveIslandUSA

43) And the second rare thing: Alana stepped forward for Yamen and he picked her. NO DEFAULT COUPLES FOR THE WOC! #LoveIslandUSA

44) Now I admit, I was not super invested in this season. I do know that Caro eventually coupled with Ray and they made it to the finals. Alana got played by Yamen mid season in an intense recoupling (will cover that in my epic recoupling thread.) Blessings to everyone

45) Okay, so we’re heading back to the UK (though the villa was in South Africa this time) for Season 6 of #LoveIsland Now, I loved this season. So many funny folks and THE MOST POC IN ANY SEASON. A win in my book. Meet Ghanaian Queen Leanne

46) And another fav of mine and the person who would become Leanne’s partner-in-crime-and-comedy: Sophie #LoveIsland

47) Now we’re into the initial coupling. I’m introducing Nas here because like Marcel and Sherif, I was concerned about Nas’ fate.... #LoveIsland

48) ...And, I was right.... sigh.... #LoveIsland

49) Later, this dude Connor shows up who Sophie kinda likes (I didn’t. He got on my last nerve from day dot! ) but she’s steps forward for him and he couples with her. No default for our good sis. #LoveIsland

50) Now let’s meet King Michael. A lot of people had a love/hate thing for Mike because of some of his moves in the villa, but I kinda loved him. Also, he’s fine as hell. Look at the material! #LoveIsland

51) Now, this coupling is a toss up. Leanne was the only girl left. She did technically step up for Mike (her first time) but still. There were definitely default vibes. Either way, Leanne and Mike looked INSANELY GOOD together so I wasn’t too mad. #LoveIsland

52) I highly recommend this season as well. So I don’t want to include any spoilers about where our POC folks ended up. It’s a good one to watch and produced my second and third fav #LoveIsland couples ever. So check it out friends!

53) And now, here we are at the most recent initial coupling. Season 2 of #LoveIslandUSA Let’s circle back to when we first met our Queen Justine

54) And now, with full context, you can see that this initial coupling plays out in the same way that many of the other ones have #LoveIslandUSA

55) And like, Yewande, Samira, Malin and Rachel before - Justine took the rejection like a champ. #LoveIslandUSA

56) Then Tre comes in, steals Cely and Jeremiah ends up where nearly EVERY OG BLACK GUY ENDS UP.... Subs bench. #LoveIslandUSA

57) And sadly, Justine met the fate of being in a default couple. Sigh... #LoveIslandUSA

58) Nothing about our Queen’s initial start prepared us for her epic, glorious and historic journey. If you knew the history of the show, it’s clear to see why her win was so incredible. And we are going to be forever stans for it! #LoveIslandUSA #Jaleb