Love Island USA’s Ariana Madix revealed how she nearly spoiled season 7 for the Islanders while filming Casa Amor.
In a recent interview, Ariana was asked in regards to the balance of watching footage from the show while interacting with viewers on social media. The host proceeded to explain a recent slip-up where she referred to a viral moment while filming an episode.
“It’s funny. The opposite day, once I got here in for the introduction of Casa [Amor], and Nic [Vansteenberghe] and TJ [Palma] were the 2 guys stood there with no girls [on their hearts] on that first day,” Ariana told People on Tuesday, July 1. “And Nic’s [heart] was empty and I used to be like, ‘Oh no, not Mommy’s little meatball.’”
For individuals who may not remember, Nic won over the web when he wore a shirt to bed that read “Mommy’s Little Meatball.” Nic has since been known as that on social media, which isn’t something the Islanders would know as they proceed to be sequestered from the surface world.
“I had to recollect, like, ‘Wait, he doesn’t know that we’ve seen his Mommy’s little meatball shirt,’” she added. “He was like, ‘What?’”
Peacock’s hit dating show revolves around a gaggle of single individuals who live in isolation and are under constant video surveillance. They have to be coupled up to stay on the show and to face a likelihood at receiving the prize of $100,000. In an effort to keep the Islanders focused on finding a match, they haven’t any contact with the surface world until they officially leave Fiji. That’s after they finally receive their phones and get caught up on how the general public has reacted to their time on the show.
Season 7 has been one for the history books as a record variety of fans have tuned in to look at the Islanders find love. It has also resulted in some problematic behavior as viewers turn into more keen about the end result of the season.
“I do wish to say something to a few of those people who find themselves online,” Ariana said during an episode of Aftersun in June. “Don’t be contacting people’s families. Don’t be doxxing people.”
Ariana reminded fans to take a step back.
“Don’t be happening Islanders’ pages and saying rude things. You continue to have time to delete all of that since the Islanders don’t have their phones,” she noted. “So we’re providing you with a likelihood because this can be a fun, amazing and exquisite show. We needs to be thanking each considered one of these islanders each day for giving us themselves.”
Love Island USA‘s narrator, Iain Stirling, has since made a rare comment in regards to the controversy.
“A number of you might be saying a lot of nice things about Love Island this 12 months. I do really appreciate it. But there’s only one little thing I would really like to clear up,” he said in a June TikTok while clarifying he has “absolutely no control” over what happens within the villa. “In the event that they asked me to say it, I’ll say it. So please stop messaging me and asking me. I can’t. I wish I could aid you out, but I can’t.”
Latest episodes of Love Island USA are released six days every week — aside from Wednesdays — on Peacock.