A private school headteacher recently said at a national headteachers conference that she didn’t believe people could be a supporter of #MeToo and be a fan of the ITV2 reality show.
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Dani Dyer
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
Jane Lunnon, head of the London-based private Wimbledon High School, said: “If we want to be taken seriously – the #MeToo debate, hear us, we have agency, we have a voice – can we also be saying this trivial nonsense matters?”
She added: “Love Island’s message, it seems to me, is conform and look beautiful otherwise you are not worthy of being loved.”
Responding to the comments in an interview with ITV News, ‘Love Island’ winner Dani asked: “What’s the #MeToo movement?”
After having the movement against sexual violence explained to her, she continued: “If you enjoy watching ‘Love Island’, watch ‘Love Island’. You can support what you feel’s right.
“I think ‘Love Island’ is something that people come home from work to and watch and enjoy.
“I don’t think everything on the TV has to be strong minded and opinions. We have so much of that.
“I think those sort of shows, just take them with a pinch of salt, have a laugh with it, you haven’t got to take those shows seriously.
“She might not like ‘Love Island’ – maybe her husband’s watching it,” she added.
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The cast of this year's 'Love Island'
ITV/REX/Shutterstock
After Jane Lunnon’s comments made national news earlier this week, many people have since aired their views, with many divided on the topic.
London-based youth campaigner, Adam Bradford, told HuffPost UK he agreed with the headteacher, saying: “This over-sexualisation on television is dangerous for young people, who are already obsessed with their smartphones and becoming the envy of their friends. Reality television is sadly not ‘reality’ and the abuse of women on the show further plays into the degradation of the premise of the #MeToo movement.”
However, Martha Nahar, a 24-year-old communications officer from London, disagreed, saying: “The last series of Love Island was interesting because women on the show embraced their sexuality and were bolder than ever, which is always frowned up but actually shows progress!”
'Love Island' 2018 contestants
Dani Dyer(01 of11)
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Age: 21
Occupation: Barmaid
From: East London
She says: “Dating has never been great for me. It’s such a personal thing but you’re doing it on national television. Falling for someone, not liking someone, letting someone’s feelings down. I’m the sort of person that would rather be hurt than have to tell a boy I don’t like them.”
Claim to fame? She is the daughter of ‘EastEnders’ actor Danny Dyer, and also appeared on ‘Survival Of The Fittest’ earlier this year, but was forced to pull out after just a day due to a shoulder injury. (credit:ITV)
Samira Mighty(02 of11)
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Age: 22
Occupation: West End star
From: London
She says: “Everyone in the West End knows everybody. So it will be a big shock when they see me on this show.”
Claim to fame? Definitely the shows I was in – ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Dreamgirls’. (credit:ITV)
Eyal Booker(03 of11)
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Age: 22
Occupation: Model
From: London
He says: “We can’t ignore the fact I have curly hair and people seem to like that. I train pretty hard so I’ve got a decent body. Hopefully I’m just a funny person that people like.”
Claim to fame? “I was in a pop band once called EverYoung. We had small time success and toured the country, built up a little fan base and there was fan girl hysteria. They’d follow us around and come to our gigs and stuff so that was a little taste.” (credit:ITV)
Dr Alex George(04 of11)
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Age: 27
Occupation: A&E doctor
From: Carmarthen, west Wales
He says: “You’re recorded 24 hours a day and I just want to make sure that I behave in the right way. I absolutely love my job, I’ve worked since the age of 13 to get here and I go to work every day and I genuinely enjoy it. I would probably go back and do it part time, if I could mix it with TV work I would. I think there’s probably room for a new TV doctor!” (credit:ITV)
Hayley Hughes(05 of11)
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Age: 21
Occupation: Model
From: Liverpool
She says: “I’ve only been in one relationship, and only slept with one guy. I was with him for five years. We got together at such a young age, when I was 16. You just grow up, and grow apart. It’s still quite raw.”
Claim to fame? “I’ve modelled for some fashion brands, and I did an advert for ITVBe. I’ve modelled full time now for two years. I did a pageant, which I won, and then got scouted by an agency in Manchester. I go to drama school as well.” (credit:ITV)
Kendall Rae-Knight(06 of11)
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Age: 26
Occupation: Retail manager
From: Blackpool
She says: “This time last year I was in a five year relationship, I was engaged, had a house, and I was all settled down ready to have children. He proposed in the June and then three months later said he didn’t love me anymore. He left. Now, seven months down the line, I feel like I’m ready to move on and start dating.”
Claim to fame? “I won Miss North West. I represented the whole of the North West in the Miss England final, which was in 2015.” (credit:ITV)
Laura Anderson(07 of11)
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Age: 29
Occupation: Cabin Crew
From: Stirling, Scotland
She says: “I like a rugged, real man. And someone that knows what they want. Age isn’t a big deal at all. Some 22 year old guys are very mature and know what they want. My ex was 38 and had no idea what he wanted, so you can’t discriminate against age.”
Claim to fame? “There are loads of celebrities that have flown on our airline who I have served. I once served Channing Tatum.” (credit:ITV)
Adam Collard(08 of11)
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Age: 22
Occupation: Personal trainer and gym director
From: Newcastle
He says: “I’m very loyal to my friends. I think you’ll be surprised, I think there’ll be a bromance as much as there’ll be a romance.” (credit:ITV)
Jack Fincham(09 of11)
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Age: 26
Occupation: Stationary sales manager
From: Kent
He says: “When I walk into a room I always make a statement. Not necessarily on purpose, I’m just so clumsy so I’ll walk in and knock something over. Everyone knows ‘Jack is here!’” (credit:ITV)
Niall Aslam(10 of11)
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Age: 23
Occupation: Student and construction worker
From: Coventry
He says: “I am looking for love mainly. Obviously I’m looking for a fit girl but I’m assuming pretty much all of the girls in there are going to be fit and above my level anyway. I’m going in there with an open mind to find love.” (credit:ITV)
Wes Nelson(11 of11)
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Age: 20
Occupation: Electrical and nuclear systems design engineer
From: Staffordshire
He says: “I’m looking for someone I can settle down with and tame my wild lifestyle. I am 20 years old but I’d say I am ahead of my age in terms of maturity and in terms of who I am and my mannerisms.”
Claim to fame? “My Instagram. A few of my videos went viral when I was kickboxing and I’ve got a large Instagram following. I’ve dated people who are Instagram famous but no actual celebrities.” (credit:ITV)