It's good to see parents on Love Island this year – but why are we treating mums differently to dads?
THIS year, Love Island, both in the UK and US, has done something a little different to its normal proceedings, and recruited people with children to star on the show.
On the US version,
8
This year, Love Island, both in the UK and US, has done something a little different to its normal proceedings, and recruited people with children to star on the show
Credit: Ben Symons/Peacock
8
Bombshell Shea is dad to a little boy
8
Huda has been getting to know Jeremiah
Credit: Kim Nunneley/Peacock
8
Shea has been praised for being a dad looking for love
While both are parents, there is a stark difference between them - and that, sadly, is the way their
news
has been received.
Have YOU got a story or an amazing picture or video?
Email
and you could even get PAID
Before the US season got under way, internet detectives had discovered Huda was a mum, and they immediately feared for her.
'Why do I feel like the guys are gonna be d**** about this,' wrote one fan, while another responded, saying: 'It wouldn't be a surprise unfortunately.'
Read More on Love Island
The general consensus amongst Love Island fans being that Huda's revelation would leave the men running for the hills, instead of treating her the same as any other woman on the show. Then fears became reality, as Huda decided to tell love interest Jeremiah that she had a four-year-old daughter.
'I wanted to be honest with you,' she began, adding: 'I really trusted and liked you, and I am a mum.'
Jeremiah then throws his head back and fails to hide his shocked reaction: 'You're a mum, and you're 24?' he says, weirdly emphasising her age, as if women of 24 shouldn't have children.
Huda is then forced to reassure him that she only has the one child, and Jeremiah tells her he can't look at her.
Most read in Love Island
The scene left US Love Island fans horrified, with many telling Huda to 'run,' as well as calling out Jeremiah for his 'red flag' behaviour. Others defended him, saying it must've come as a big shock, and that taking on a child is a huge responsibility, the latter of which no-one is denying.
New Love Island bombshell reveals he's a dad as he sets his sights on breaking up villa couples
But it's just a massive shame that Huda's first attempt at telling someone she likes on the show that she's a mum, is met with such shock and, dare I say it, disgust.
Fans noticed that Huda was visibly afraid to tell him the news, struggling to get her words out, almost as if she was worried that being a mum would push him away.
She even ended up saying things like she's 'not ashamed of it at all,' and was 'worried about how he'd react.'
Huda took her time telling Jeremiah that she was a mum, four episodes in fact, because of the reaction she'd had from other men in the past.
Love Island 2025 full lineup
: A 29-year-old footballer with charm to spare.
: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident.
: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads.
: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa.
: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish.
: International business graduate with brains and ambition.
: A gym enthusiast with a big heart.
: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern.
Ben Hullbra
: A model ready to make waves.
: An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins.
: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps.
: A towering 6'5' personal trainer.
: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro
: Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress.
: Beauty salon owner from Devon who
runs 12 aesthetics clinics, boasting a famous clientele including former
Love Islanders
Departures
:
: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing.
And yet, when UK Love Island bombshell Shea was revealed as having a son, the reaction couldn't have been better.
Beneath TikTok videos of Shea being a dad, fans said how 'cute' it was, and praised the star for 'doing the show for his baby.'
The comments section on X, TikTok and Instagram has been flooded with positivity about Shea being a dad, especially as he says in his pre-Love Island interview: 'Also, I have a little boy, so I'll be taking him into consideration with who I couple up with, too.'
The news has been so well-received, with fans praising the star for thinking about his son when it comes to picking which girl he'll couple up with.
But for Huda? Just negativity, fears and a reaction that's enough to put anyone off telling someone that they're a mum ever again.
As a mum myself, it makes me so sad to see. Why is there such an obvious split between the way both Huda and Shea have been treated when revealing that they're parents?
It's a great move from Love Island to have parents on the show, and really widens the representation. But we've still got a way to go in changing perception when it comes to single mums looking for love.
Jeremiah isn't the sole problem, he's well within his right to be surprised, as the revelation had been kept a secret from him for some time.
But he is a part of the wider issue of women being afraid to admit they've got kids while
dating
. You might not be ready to be a step-dad and that's fair enough, but is there a world where people learn to react in a manner that doesn't portray pure
horror
? A world where people consider the feelings of the person telling them, and not just themselves.
Maybe it's wishful thinking, but what I will say is seeing parents on Love Island really does highlight that we have a huge way to go in the way that the world views mums looking for love versus dads. We need to do better. Much better.
8
Huda has a four-year-old daughter with her ex
Credit: Instagram/mrpreshaa
8
Fans begged Huda to 'run' after she revealed news she was a parent
Credit: Instagram
8
Jeremiah was left visibly shocked by the news
Credit: Instagram
8
Shea is set to enter the villa this week - and is considering his son when he looks for a match
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
40 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Love Island chaos as second star 'kicked out' after villa twist
Love Island stars have been left reeling as a second contestant has reportedly been given the boot from the villa. Manchester stunner Sophie Lee was shown the door from the ITV2 programme earlier this week - and it seems another Islander is about to follow suit. During Thursday's episode, Meg Moore receives a text with some juicy news: "Islanders, tonight there will be a recoupling in which the girls will choose which boy they want to couple up with #SpoiltForChoice #VillaVibesAreShifting." This leaves the lads wondering if they've done enough to secure their spots. American beauty Toni Laites exclaims: "Tables have turned!" As the boys line up, the girls gear up to make their choices and deliver their first speeches at the Firepit but will they stick with their current partners or have recent events prompted them to shake things up? However, there's more drama in store for this recoupling as an unexpected extra text lands that takes all the Islanders by surprise. It has been reported that one cast member will be sent packing in scenes set to air on Friday night This comes hot on the heels of new arrivals Shea Mannings and Remell Mullins, both of whom got first dibs in the villa reshuffle. Scaffolder Shea dropped a bombshell last night when he revealed he's a dad while describing his ideal woman. The Bristol lad said: "She needs to be bubbly and we need to have that initial spark. She needs to have a nice personality - like I think I have - so that we match together." He shared: "Also, I have a little boy, so I'll be taking him into consideration with who I couple up with, too." Elsewhere on Thursday night's show, the Islanders watch as Blu and Shakira leave the Hideaway and they have plenty of questions. Blu wastes no time in filling them in on the fact they shared a kiss. Dejon asks Blu: 'What did you do in there? A chat?' Blu replies: 'No, we had a kiss, I went in for her.' Megan is shocked saying: 'I love the messiness!' Meanwhile, Harry and Helena are at the mini Firepit and he asks Helena: 'Are we still on for the Hideaway?' But Dejon walks over to tell them the latest… Dejon says: 'You know he (Blu) kissed her (Shakira)?' Harry replies: 'No he didn't…I don't believe what I'm hearing.' Elsewhere, Shakira is telling Toni, explaining: 'Blu pulled me for a chat and he went, 'I didn't kiss you in the challenge 'cause I wanted to do it now' and he just leaned in…it was a good kiss but it says a statement, I feel like Ben won't be happy and Harry especially.' Harry then asks Shakira about the kiss with Blu before telling her: 'All that matters is I want to pursue things with you.' Harry later hears Blu's side of the story, with Blu telling him: 'We had two kisses, where's your head at? It seems to me your with Helena more and flirting?' Harry says: 'I think it's more flirty, but I think Shakira's got more substance.' Also that evening, Toni and Conor get closer as new bombshell Shea pulls Megan for a chat telling her: 'I wanna get to know you… you seem pretty content?' Megan says: 'I'm happy… I think the boys were shaking when you came in cause they've not felt that, but we have - I think Tommy's shi**ing himself.' Then, as the Islanders settle in for bed at night Harry and Helena make the decision to action their plan to sneak off to the Hideaway, hoping no one will see them, but it doesn't go quite to plan… The next morning, the Islanders have questions after Harry and Helena's not-so-secret trip the Hideaway. Helena talks to Shakira telling her: 'I wanted to speak to you 'cause I don't want you to think it was done in a malicious way.' But how will Shakira react? Harry is also keen to pull Shakira for a chat. Shakira tells him: 'Don't act like you went to the Hideaway cause I kissed someone, you wanted to go…' And the day isn't over yet. Later, Shakira has a chat with Ben that surprises her - might her head be turned back to the beginning?
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island fans figure out ‘real reason' Harry snuck off to the Hideaway with Helena
LOVE Island fans are convinced they're worked the 'real reason' Harry takes Helena into the Hideaway tonight. The Sun revealed this week that air hostess , 29, and semi-pro footballer 30, 4 Love Island fans have worked out why Harry took Helena to the Hideaway Credit: ITV 4 Harry suggests to Helena that they sneak off to the Hideaway Credit: ITV It meant that it was just 56 hours after the new series kicked off, making it the quickest Hideaway sleepover in Love Island history. On last night's show, Shakira, who is coupled up with Harry, visited the Hideaway with Blu, who is with Alima. The pair shocked fans as they shared a kiss just minutes into entering the cosy private area. And on Thursday's instalment, Harry finds out about their snog from fellow Islander Dejon, leaving him gobsmacked. READ MORE ON LOVE ISLAND Harry then suggests to Helena that they sneak off to the Hideaway in the middle of the night. They narrowly missed be rumbled after a few Islanders spotted them leaving the bedroom together. But some fans think Harry is using Helena to get back at Shakira for kissing Blu. One wrote: "Harry taking Helena to the hideaway just to get at Shakira, get them off my screen." Most read in News TV A second posted: "Oh Harry playing around…are any of those boys serious?" Love Island viewers 'turn on' Islander as they spot 'snide' comment A third said: "Harry is just taking Helena into the Hideaway to make Shakira jealous." Someone else said: "I think Harry and Helena make sense. He doesn't like her, he just wants a back up in case Shakira wants someone else." A source said: 'This is the fastest sleepover in the Hideaway in Love Island's twelve series history - and what a gorgeous pair to do so. 'In the past, producers had to invite Islanders to use the breakout bedroom which meant the love nest was generally not used until couples became more established. 'But producers have changed the rules of the breakout bedroom so it can be used at any time, without an invite. 'It means 'The scenes will play out later this week, but bosses are unlikely to show anything too naughty, as is the show's usual approach.' Helena, who is pals with Piers Morgan's son Spencer and Gary Lineker's son George on the outside, had fans in stitches on Monday night's launch when she described her type as a 'four out of ten that is funny.' Harry, who is a commodities trader, has been described as The Surrey Zidane by fans of his team, Farnham Town. He's scored with Helena after his original coupling, 4 Blu took Shakira into the Hideaway last night Credit: Eroteme 4 He then planted a kiss on Shakira just minutes into entering the cosy private area Credit: Eroteme
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Shock moment Love Islanders get surprise news AFTER recoupling – and fans think they've ‘worked out' what it is
LOVE Islanders get surprising news after tonight's recoupling - and fans think they've 'worked out' what it is. The 12th series continues to show no mercy in week one with another Islander 4 Love Islanders get surprising news after tonight's recoupling - and fans think they've 'worked out' what it is Credit: ITV 4 An extra text arrives that none of the Islanders had seen coming Credit: ITV 4 The 12th series continues to show no mercy in week one with another Islander dumped just days after launch night Credit: ITV Manchester beauty to be sent packing after she became the victim of an opening twist. Shakira saved herself by By This time around, it's a boy who bites the dust after one is left single in a shock recoupling. Love Island It follows the arrival of This leaves the boys wondering if they've done enough to be chosen. Toni says: 'Tables have turned!' They haven't got long to wait. That evening Tommy gets a text: Most read in Love Island Can all Islanders gather around the Firepit immediately, #DecisionTime. As the boys line up, the girls get ready to make their choices and their first speeches at the Firepit. Love Island star Shakira's family SLAM show rival for catty comments saying 'what is her problem-' But will they stay coupled up with their current partners or have the events of the past few days been enough to make them take action? And that's not all for this re-coupling as a surprise extra text arrives that none of the Islanders had seen coming. Fans flocked to Reddit to share their opinions and one said: "I wonder what the text is that no one saw coming. "I think it's that the bombshells pick first as i doubt they would dump them after 24 hours Or new bombshell." Love Island 2025 - current couples LOVE Island's 2025 cast have already undergone a shake-up, here are the latest couples: Sophie Lee has been , 22, chose her partner , 30, Now the couples are - Toni and Ben Meg and Dejon Shakira and Harry Helena and Conor Alima and Blu Megan and Tommy. Another suggested: "I think Toni might choose Conor. Then maybe a new bombshell comes in and has to choose between Ben and Blu to even out the numbers." While a third said: "After reading the press release I think Shakira picks Ben and Toni picks Conor. Blu and Shea are left. "Either they send in a bombshell to pick between them or the group gets to decide which one to dump." But another had a different opinion and suggested: "I think they are gonna go on a date with a bombshell and she is gonna choose the one she wants." Meanwhile, Love Island star Shakira's family have slammed a show rival for catty comments saying And chaos reigns in the villa as Harry finds out about Shakira's Hideaway kiss and Shea tries to Plus 4 The boys feel nervous at tonight's recoupling Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX.
