Love Island USA is slowly but surely following in the footsteps of Love Island’s UK version. Across the pond, an ITV commissioner named Amanda Stavri once described the inclusion of LGBTQ people into the Love Island format as a “logistical difficulty.” Thankfully, these days, the show is showing a truer representation of people trying to find love as it includes queer Islanders. Here’s a comprehensive rundown of all the Love Island USA contestants who identify as LGBTQ+.
Kyra Green
@kyra212green Replying to @leeyuh
Love Island USA season one dropped in 2016 and Kyra Green was not only the show’s first bombshell, but the show’s first queer contestant, too.
Kyra writes in her Instagram bio: “Biracial, Bicoastal, Bisexual.”
Speaking in a TikTok video, Kyra said: “Before going on the show, I knew I had to be honest with producers and I’d mostly just been with women, I’d never had a boyfriend… but I liked women and men.
“I wanted to be able to be my true self and choose whoever I wanted. I told the producers this, and they were like, ‘Yes, you are open to choosing whoever you want’.”
“I had the fattest crush on a girl named Emily from my season,” she continued.
Kyra later appeared on Love Island Games, where she said she found connections with co-stars Megan and Cely.
She also dished that she once shared a “steamy kiss” with Courtney from Love Island USA season four.
Leslie Golden
Leslie Golden had a brief spell of fame on Love Island USA season three. She said that she left the show for “personal reasons” via Instagram.
Although Leslie wasn’t a long-standing cast member, she had something to say about the show in a different IG post. She “threw shade” at a Love Island producer’s comment about casting LGBTQIA+ islanders back in 2021, per Screen Rant.
In the story, ITV’s commissioner Amanda Stavri claimed that LGBTQIA+ contestants would present a “sort of logistical difficulty” if they were to be cast in the series.
Leslie wrote on her Stories that she was “logically difficult and proud.”
Courtney Stark
Courtney was a Love Island USA season four star.
She was eliminated on day 24 and was coupled up with Andy, Felipe, and Chad during the season.
Courtney went into the show as an OG islander on Love Island USA who was open to dating both men and women, per Pride.
The outlet wrote: “Courtney does identify as bisexual and is very comfortable with the label.”
She said: “My relationships with my ex-girlfriends were actually some of the deepest and most amazing connections I’ve ever had in my life…”
Nicholas Birchall
Life After Coming Out on Love Island USA: Nicholas Birchall
What started out as a journey to find love on Love Island turned into a life-changing decision for the world to see.
Tap in for the Full Feature at https://t.co/YZHkqWk3tt @RaynbowAffair pic.twitter.com/AgNbjIlto3— DiamondKesawn (@DiamondKesawn) September 18, 2022
Love Island USA season four saw the arrival of Nicholas.
However, it turned out it wasn’t for him, and he volunteered to leave the show.
His Instagram page is now private, but, per Out, he wrote online at the time:
“Even though the villa didn’t ultimately end up feeling like the right place to say my truth, I still wanted to share it with y’all and take this weight off my shoulders. Bisexual men don’t have very much representation on TV and after being home with my family, I realized I still want to be that role model and use my given platform to encourage inclusivity in media. I’m excited to be that guy for every person who has ever felt uncomfortable/unhappy with who they are.”
Johnnie Garcia
During Love Island USA season five, Johnnie Garcia came out as bisexual.
Episode 31 saw her open up about identifying as bisexual, and she showed an interest in Kassy Castillo.
Johnnie and Kassy had an on-screen romance, but things didn’t last outside of the villa.
These days, Johnnie is loved-up with Cormac Murphy from Love Island USA season one.
Kassy Castillo
Kassy Castillo was a Love Island USA season five cast member.
She had a connection with Johnnie during the show. Kassy said that she hadn’t ever dated girls before but felt attracted to Johnnie. During episode 31, the two reality TV stars kissed.
Kassy ended up a runner-up of season five, leaving the show with Leonardo Dionicio on day 32.
She later appeared on season six, but was only in the villa for a few days.
Chelley Bissainthe
Bringing us right up to the current Love Island USA season, we have Chelley.
The season seven star explained she identifies as bisexual early on during the show.
She and Cierra Ortega shared a kiss during a challenge on the show’s June 12 episode.
Chelley is a model and day trader who’s based between Miami and New York.
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