{"id":1968,"date":"2025-05-29T16:50:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T15:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unglossedmag.co.uk\/?p=1968"},"modified":"2025-06-04T12:19:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T11:19:08","slug":"love-island-instant-attraction-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jusmedia.co.uk\/unglossedmag\/2025\/05\/29\/love-island-instant-attraction-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Island and physical attraction, is it everything?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The premiere episode of each Love Island<\/a> season gives us the infamous first coupling. After enjoying a glass of prosecco, contestants take a quick glance at their options, and choose who they will share a bed with that night. And they say romance is dead! But is it actually possible to build a relationship just off of one look at one another?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ammanda Major, Head of Clinical Practice at relate.org<\/a>, and licensed relationship counsellor and sex therapist says: \u201cWe’ve probably all heard that phrase: \u2018their eyes met across a crowded room\u2019. We’re biologically primed to notice people or feel attracted to them, and that’s obviously often the very first point of contact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First impressions are crucial on a show like Love Island, where contestants frequently discuss their \u2018type\u2019, and what they find attractive in a partner. \u2018Tall, dark and handsome\u2019, is among some of the most commonly heard phrases on the show, along with \u2018I\u2019ve got a text\u2019, and \u2018Can I pull you for a chat?\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These conversations generally take place in the earlier episodes, as longer-lasting couples have more time to explore deeper layers of their relationship further along in the season. However, it goes without saying that discussing physical attraction is a key component of the show, and this ultimately ends up forming some of the relationships we see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ammanda says: \u201cIn reality TV, the hoped for outcome is something dramatic and spectacular. There can be pressure to behave as if you’re finding somebody attractive or you may not be sure whether you find them attractive, but you feel under pressure to behave as if you do. In the real world, actually there is a bit more time and space to decide: what do I like about this person?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for reality shows to sell the idea of \u201cinstant connection\u201d between people (I\u2019m looking at you, Married at First Sight), but that does not always translate well into a genuine relationship. A lack of real connection and shared experiences can be difficult for a couple to stay together even after the cameras are gone, which could explain why so few of the Love Island couples stand the test of time in the real world. While the villa provides the perfect setting to get to know someone and spend every day with them, it struggles to mirror real life, presenting real challenges and putting the new couples to the test as they evolve and work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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