Love Island 2025 gave us drama, romance, and… a crash course in casual racism.

When Meg picked Dejon because of his name, a name we all knew was unlikely to belong to a tall, dark and handsome White man. We all knew this was going to end badly. We just didn’t know how badly. Alas, she was right and in walked her prize: a Black man. She claimed him immediately and was on the defensive from day one, instantly shunning, ostracising and attacking anyone who dared go after “her man”.

Her energy toward every Black woman in the villa who so much as spoke to him was volatile and aggressive, laced with racial undertones. “Go back to Tape” she spat at Malisha. The difference in her approach was particularly jarring when compared to her far tamer discussion with Andrada, a White woman. Her lack of friendships, interest in or even basic respect for women of colour begs the question: why does she want such intimate proximity with a Black man?

Why does a woman who, by all appearances, has little to no interactions with Black women both in the villa and, if her social media is anything to go by, in real life - want to pursue a long term relationship with a Black man? He will undoubtedly have Black women in his close circle and most importantly, his family. Why would a woman who has displayed such clear distaste for Black women, want to be so entwined with the Black community? 

The contrast with other contestants is stark. Toni’s interactions with the Black women on the show, as well as Shakira, who is half Pakistani and half English, come across as authentic and respectful. Meg, on the other hand, only extended respect to those she considered part of her “in-group" with the exception of Dejon of course. 

Meg’s desire to obtain Dejon came at any cost. It outweighed her desire to be respected, desired or listened to. I believe she accepted, justified and defended Dejon’s poor behaviour because, to her, winning a Black man was the ultimate status symbol. She was willing to reject her womanhood, to stand by “her man” despite his mistreatment of women. Which makes sense, if she is so able to overlook her own mistreatment, why would she step in at the mistreatment of other women, let alone Black women?

At first glance Dejon projects a strong Black identity. His locs could be dismissed as just a hairstyle, but in the Black community, they are often a statement. So it struck me as odd that he went to great lengths to distance himself from other people of colour in the villa - especially the women. And not just distance; as soon as they “stepped out of line” he displayed the same hostile distaste towards Black women as Meg.

In my opinion, Dejon and Meg are two sides of the same coin. They share the belief that women of colour are less than, deserving little more than their disrespect. They are the kind of people that, if seen in the wild, should be avoided. Give them a wide berth so they can bask in their warped perception of superiority. 

Thankfully, on this occasion, good prevailed and justice was served. Do I think public perception will make them realise the error of their ways? No. They are each other’s scaffolding, immovably upholding their shared beliefs in racism, misogyny, misogynoir and narcissism. 

So maybe Love Island isn’t about finding love at all. Maybe it’s just about exposing the people we should never sit next to at brunch.