Love Island's Siannise Fudge slams show for ‘normalising abusive behaviour' and says villa girls ‘deserve so much more'

The Sun

5 days ago

LOVE Island's Siânnise Fudge has slammed the show for "normalising abusive behaviour" after Woman's Aid issued a statement.
The reality star, who appeared on the ITV2 dating show in 2020, shared a quote that US model Bella Hadid said during an interview with publication Mighty Pursuits.
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It read: "I constantly went back to men that abused me. I would become silent and cry... [As a] people pleaser... I was putting my worth in the hands of someone else."
Siânnise, 31, admitted the powerful message had resonated with what she had seen on this series of Love Island and insisted the villa girls "deserve so much more".
She wrote: "I have been a victim in my past relationships of this behaviour which I thought was normal - and that's the scariest part.
"It's so disappointing and very disturbing that this behaviour on national TV especially on one of the biggest tv shows is being normalised.
"Those girls deserve so much more, they deserve to be respected and my heart goes out to them."
Siânnise, who was runner-up on her series with Luke Trotman, did not reveal which past relationship she was talking about.
The star said the behaviour she had witnessed this series "should never be tolerated".
She continued: 'I'm sure they will need a lot of support when they are out as I know the intensity of that environment and having to deal with that behaviour on top is just awful.
"This whole thread speaks volumes and I'm gonna leave it here.
"Please read and I hope this helps understand why this will never be ok and should never be tolerated."
She also shared a thread from Women's Aid, which claimed the show was "reinforcing a culture trivialising violence against women and girls."
However, ITV have made it clear that before entering the villa, Islanders are given Duty of Care training in language, behaviour and understanding mutual respect in relationships.
The cast are offered a full package of measures to ensure they remain supported prior to, during and after the filming period on the show.
The Sun have reached out to ITV for comment.
Fans were left furious this week after Harrison had sex with Lauren twice before dumping her and going back to Toni.
Harrison confessed his feelings for Toni just moments before the recoupling, which lead to her picking him.
This left Lauren in floods of tears as she admitted he had humiliated her.
Harrison then did a U-turn just a day later and said he no longer wanted Toni and was "missing" Lauren, leaving both girls furious.
In response, Women's Aid has issued a statement condemning his behaviour and criticising the ITV reality show for perpetuating misogyny and sexism.
Jessye Werner, Communications Manager at Women's Aid, acknowledged the efforts production companies have made to highlight toxic behaviours but stressed that more progress is necessary.
She told The Tab: "Despite these positive steps, we still see unhealthy patterns of behaviour on these shows, showing just how steeped in misogyny and sexism our society still is.
'Women are often lied to, slut-shamed and manipulated, as well as laughed at behind their backs. Misogyny and sexism lay the foundation for the tolerance of abuse and violence – it reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls.
'More must be done to educate contestants on sexism and misogyny, and it is a great credit to viewers who take to social media, continuing to call out these behaviours as soon as they see them.'
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