Love Island Australia is heading into its villain era and according to long-time host Sophie Monk, if you haven’t watched an instalment before the 2023 version, this is “the season to watch”.
During an interview with Mediweek before its 9Now premiere on Monday, October 30, Monk said: “It’s the most dramatic one I’ve seen. It’s hilarious, like laugh out loud. It’s so good. It’s really entertaining. If you like MAFS, you’re going to love Love Island.”
In addition to this, she added that people will be “hooked” from the very first episode.
“Once you start watching it, you won’t be able to stop. If you need a show to be hooked on, which I’m always looking for, it’s this one.”
Love Island Australia 2023 host Sophie Monk
Love Island Australia is in its “Villain Era”
Likening the series’ eras to that of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, the regular on The One Hundred with Andy Lee revealed that bringing in “villains” was a natural progression from last year’s “Love” season.
“The Villain Era is like, ‘Okay, we’re gonna throw some s**t at you’,” she said. “But it is true to real life like you bump into people you don’t want to and whatever. We throw it at them really quickly.
“[The Islanders] figure out whether they’re meant to be together or not, and don’t waste time. There’s just not one boring moment,” she said.
When asked if this meant the Islanders were more “brutal” this time around, she summed up her answer in one word. “Yes”.
“They’re also very strong, confident people that speak their minds, a lot of them,” she said. “And then you’ve got a few that are insecure, just out of bad relationships or haven’t really had love or whatever. It’s all just really relatable.”
Love Island Australia cast 2023
Producers vet the cast to ensure they’re there for the right reasons
While it’s no secret to fans that some cast members go on the show for an Instagram following, Monk admitted that producers vet the contestants carefully to make sure they’re on the show for genuine reasons.
“At the same time, even if they do go in for whatever reason, they cannot help but be tied into being invested [ in their love interest] because when they get rejected it makes them want that guy or more or that girl more,” she said. “It’s just such a primal show, your heart is invested in it because that’s all they can focus on in there.
“It doesn’t matter how cool you think you are going in, there’ll be like a bomb coming, and it changes your world and you’re out of control.”
Stream Love Island Australia from Monday to Thursday at 6 pm AEDT on 9Now.