After “Love Island USA” Season 8 premiered June 2, some viewers have turned to social media to complain there’s “too much kissing”—from the nonstop make-outs to the audible and visible way contestants engage in challenges. Psychology professor Jean M. Twenge p
When “Love Island USA” returned for its eighth season on June 2, the format didn’t change: grinding, toe sucking, lap dances, and sexual intimacy captured by night-vision cameras remain part of the package.
But for a vocal minority of fans, the show’s pace and intensity—especially the kissing—has gone too far.
The backlash is playing out across social media with one consistent gripe: “There’s too much kissing.” In one challenge. each lingerie-clad woman crawls down a massive bed while blindfolded and kisses six men in succession to guess which one is her partner. In another game. all 12 people—who had met just days earlier—are kissing in various sexual positions at the same time.
For some viewers, the issue isn’t just the content. It’s the sound and the visibility. Others say they were put off by how visible Gabriel Vasconcelos’ tongue was outside of his mouth during a kiss.
Longtime fans also argue the show pushes intimacy before contestants have enough time to get to know each other. Some critics say the early episodes feel like kissing comes first, with conversation taking a back seat even outside the challenges.
Love Island USA Sean Reifel kissing backlash Gen Z Pew Research Center Jean Twenge reality TV social media sexuality in media