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“I remember there was a scene where we all got to phone home,” Wokoma explained. However, Love Island producers deliberately didn’t include Samira’s night in the Hideaway even though many viewers and contestants longed to see her in a happy couple from the very first episode.Īs a response to Samira’s treatment in the villa, actor and writer Susan Wokoma spoke out on Twitter about her portrayal as a black woman on reality TV. For example, every single couple that got to spend a special intimate night in the Hideaway was always edited into episodes because it was deemed a special romantic occasion. Instead, she didn’t get as much airtime as her white counterparts. Despite not having much luck with finding a partner on the show, she still maintained a largely gleeful personality and as such it would have been difficult for producers to frame her to fit an “angry black woman” stereotype. Look at the treatment of Samira Mighty on Love Island for example. And why would I go on a show that could potentially be of this nature? Or I could hardly get any airtime at all because I don’t strictly fit Western beauty standards. My behaviour could be faultless but still somehow get edited to fuel negative racial stereotypes. I never considered the fact that perhaps I was being naive. Up until this point I never saw it this way. I remember seeking advice from my mother (who sometimes acts like my momager) and she immediately said: “Why would you risk producers potentially framing you to live up to negative stereotypes about black women? Why would you put yourself in a position where tabloid newspapers like the Daily Mail could get fuel from reducing your strength and passion to the rambles of an “angry black woman”?”
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It was about how black people, particularly black women, are represented on reality TV as a whole. However, what made me pull out of the process was bigger than me and my confidence as an individual person. I remember seeking advice from my mother and she immediately said: “Why would you risk producers potentially framing you to live up the negative stereotypes about black women?” After all, as a news personality and broadcaster it’s my job to be brave and know that people will always judge me and criticise me anyway. I accepted this from the beginning and throughout the whole casting process, I planned to just enter the show with my happy, loving, authentic self. You’re entering a world where drama sells, where tears sell and where hate gets more airtime than love – even on shows about finding love. Generally speaking, on reality TV you are already subject to criticism regardless of your race. Maybe I’ve been looking in all the wrong places but I thought at least this show could broaden my bisexual dating experience.
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I don’t actually have much experience of bisexual dating at all because I rarely come across other bisexual women. I found out about The Bi Life earlier this year after stumbling across a casting call on Instagram and was instantly excited about it because I’d never heard of a dating show that was so perfectly tailored to me and my sexuality. As this is an entirely new show I could only predict what it would actually be like based on other reality TV shows. I was one of the first people to be shortlisted for the show but decided to pull out of the process at the last minute for political - not personal - reasons. I also admire the fact that the show fosters a more supportive environment in the villa since contestants aren’t competing against each other. As a bisexual woman, I don’t often see representations of my sexuality on other mainstream dating shows. People have said things like “when I watched Love Island I really wished there was an equivalent where more sexualities were expressed… my wishes have been granted!” The Bi Life ’s dedication to being inclusive when it comes to sexuality really appealed to me. The show first aired on E! a few weeks ago and it’s already had some great feedback. What’s more, The Bi Life also provides visibility to the gender queer community via its presenter Shane Jenek (otherwise known as drag queen Courtney Act ). A 2017 study revealed that “bisexual individuals are at a higher risk of poor mental health outcomes compared to heterosexual, lesbian and gay individuals” so it’s a relief to see a show where bi people can explore their sexuality without need for justification. For the bisexual community, who are often erased from the world of reality TV dating, the show has been hailed as somewhat of a breakthrough - an opportunity to break down damaging stigmas about those who date more than one gender.
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The Bi Life is a brand – new British dating show set in Barcelona that follows the lives of a group of bisexual singletons on their quest to find love.