Love Island UK returned to ITV on June 9 for its twelfth season, but within minutes of the premiere, the show found itself at the center of yet another racism controversy. The uproar began after contestant Blu Chegini told Alima Gagigo—one of the season’s most striking newcomers—that she wasn’t his “type,” prompting an immediate backlash from viewers who saw the comment as racially charged.

Alima, a 23-year-old graduate from Glasgow and the only Black woman in the villa, had boldly chosen Blu based on his dating profile in the opening coupling. Blu didn’t match Alima’s confidence. When Maya revealed their pairing, he gave a vague compliment to “every girl” instead of acknowledging her directly. Later, he told Alima in private that she wasn’t his “usual type.” Alima responded with a calm and dignified “Of course.” Viewers, however, reacted with outrage. Within hours, social media exploded with criticism, accusing Blu of dismissing Alima based on her race and questioning why the show continues to marginalize Black women in the name of entertainment.

Related | Media Cropped Out The Only Black Woman In The Love Island Finale. Fans Noticed.

Viewers Call Out Racism and Colorism in Season Premiere

Posts on social media quickly gained traction as fans called out the remark. Some viewers said Blu’s words reflected a deeper problem within Love Island—contestants often use the phrase ‘not my type’ to sideline Black women. One viral post read, “See now why the f*** is there only 1 Black girl… I can just SMELLLLL the colourism and racism ALREADY.” Others accused the show of practicing tokenism by placing Alima in a lineup that already limited her chances of success.

Some users claimed Blu’s comment was more explicit than aired, alleging he said, “You’re BLACK and that’s not my type.” ITV has not confirmed that version of the remark, and neither the network nor the contestant has issued an official statement. Still, the outrage highlights a recurring frustration. The show often puts Black women in situations that isolate, reject, or reduce them to one-dimensional roles. Fans have already threatened to report the episode to Ofcom, echoing last season’s 3,600 complaints over racism and bullying.

Related | Whitney Adebayo and the Reality of Being a Black Woman on UK TV

Love Island UK’s Track Record With Black Women Draws Renewed Scrutiny

Alima’s treatment on the first night follows a pattern familiar to longtime Love Island viewers. Contestants like Samira Mighty, Yewande Biala, and Kaz Kamwi all entered the villa with confidence, only to find themselves left unmatched or paired last. Audiences embraced them, but the show portrayed their experiences through rejection and stereotypical editing. Viewers praised Alima for handling Blu’s dismissal with calm, but her response also reminded them how often the show expects Black women to stay graceful despite facing disrespect.

The show’s structure doesn’t help. With only one or two Black female contestants per season, the odds are stacked against them from the start. The format relies heavily on initial attraction, leaving little room for deeper connection or redemption arcs if the first impression fails. Meanwhile, viewers are left watching the same cycle play out: Black women arrive, get sidelined, and exit early—while the show deflects criticism by pointing to its “diverse” cast.

Until ITV addresses these structural issues, Love Island will continue facing backlash from audiences who are tired of seeing Black women tokenized, dismissed, and erased. Alima may have kept her cool, but fans are demanding more than poise—they’re calling for real change.

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