Even though “Love Island USA” has officially wrapped its seventh season, fans are still talking about it on their timelines. But it’s not the winners that are taking over the conversation, it’s contestants Olandria Carthen and Michelle “Chelley” Bissainthe.
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More specifically, Carthen and Bissainthe’s appearance on the show has renewed conversations about racial bias and highlighted the disparities in dating when it comes to darker-skinned Black women. At least that’s the notion being put forth by a recent NBC article published on Monday (July 14) and fans online can’t help but share similar sentiments.
If you’ve been tuning in, then you know part of the chatter centered around the fact that both Carthen and Bissanthe were confident, dark-skinned girls and that some folks watching had a problem with them because they didn’t shrink themselves or fall into stereotypes.
“Let’s wake it up and talk about how mad y’all get when a black woman is confident and loved. Y’all just don’t like that Olandria stood ten toes in who she is. The gag is… she ain’t do nothing but exist. A loved, unbothered dark-skinned woman? That’s what really got y’all pressed,” wrote one user on X.
Added another, “It’s like y’all were desperate to watch Olandria and Chelley lash out so you could call them every slur under the book and they didn’t give you that.”
Other users pointed to the fact that both Carthen and Bissainthe’s actions, words, and micro-looks were often taken out of context and blown disproportionately in comparison to the other, fairer-skinned women. In a post from TIME magazine published on Tuesday, they misquoted Bissainthe and attributed a rude remark to her, citing it as an example of “toxic interruptions” on the show. Thankfully, fans were quick to call out the platform and demanded an apology on her behalf.
“Lying on Chelley when you can literally watch the episode back is weird. ISSUE HER AN APOLOGY. She exhibited mature communication because she chose to wait to have a conversation until she had calmed down so she wouldn’t say anything hurtful to her friend,” wrote one user on TIME’s Instagram post sharing the article.
“Feeding into this weird narrative about Chelley is WEIRD. And your even weirder for publishing this,” said another.
“Constantly keeping Chelley, Olandria, and every other black women that’s been on that show in my prayers. The absolute GRACE that they have showed despite being critiqued for being human is impeccable,” wrote one other user on X.
“i will forever defend chelley and olandria. the way these news outlets are speaking about them, especially chelley is sick,” said another.
What both Carthen and Bissainthe have been subjected to on the show during their search for love isn’t too different from the perceptions they and other Black women have had to battle in real life. Though the bias may be implicit and not as overt as others, it’s a pattern many Black viewers have consistently picked up on from the show and the fandom season after season. Whether or not the producing team behind the popular show will do anything to combat or address it remains to be seen. But it’s clear when it came to these women, art was imitating life at an astounding and sadly relatable level.
We do hope, however, that Bissainthe, Carthen and all the other Black girls watching know that they are loved, desirable, and that they don’t have to water themselves down for anyone in order to find a partner. In the spirit of Eartha Kitt, keep falling in love with yourself. You’ll eventually find someone worthy enough to share you with in due time.
Straight From 
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