It's official: TV phenomenon Love Island is making its way to American shores.
But don’t expect the same wild high jinks of the UK version, complete with thirsty influencers in barely-there bottoms (for both men and women) desperately attempting to find love and sponsored content deals by whatever means necessary. Early reports suggest the US version will be a far more G-rated affair.
If you’ve never seen Love Island you can hit Hulu immediately, which has all of the past seasons available to browse - bar the current one.
Think Bachelor in Paradise, only the contestants don't even pretend to be looking for love. Instead, they focus on what really matters: “coupling up” with the hottest person on the island.
Like The Bachelor's racier spin-off, Bachelor in Paradise, aspiring influencers have to stay in a relationship to stay in paradise. But on Love Island, single Islanders “couple up” with each other based on looks alone.
Host Caroline Flack encourages the Instagram models and fitness gurus to “step forward if you fancy the look of someone," without even saying hello.
Based on that first impression, they’re coupled up if they match - and must sleep in the same bed, in the same room as everyone else. Throughout the show, they go on to re-couple during dramatic ceremonies around a fire pit, compete in challenges where they can vote each other off, read mean tweets from people watching at home, and meet new Islanders, who come in regularly to “shake things up.”
On July 9, the reality show will premiere on CBS, which isn’t exactly famous for its uncensored content. After all, this is the network behind The Big Bang Theory.
Who is hosting the US version of Love Island?
The US version will be hosted by former Vine star and actress Arielle Vandenberg. She told People she's a "huge fan of the show."
Producer David Eilenberg, who previously worked on highly competitive reality shows, including Hell’s Kitchen, The Voice, The Apprentice, and Shark Tank, is behind the American version.
“We have to conform to broadcast standards, so what happens with language and — to some extent — what we see visually will be a little different because of the platform we’re on,” Eilenberg told Entertainment Weekly.
Eilenberg said that while the US version is going to try to stay faithful to the original version it won’t be as raunchy, which means no F-bombs, full coverage bikinis, and less risque competitions. Prepare for a long, lukewarm summer.
Who's in the Love Island US cast?
Unfortunately, there are no rumors yet about what influencers could be making their way to the US version - but watch this space to stay updated when the key players are announced.
When is the release date for US version of Love Island?
Mark your calendar and prepare to crack on. Love Island premieres on July 9 and will run through August 7. Tune in for hourly episodes five nights a week on CBS at 8 pm.
