Love Island’s Rachel Finni Has Had Her Say On Those Apologies

On Jun. 8, four Love Island 2021 alumni took to Instagram Live, with the screen recorded clip showing them mocking fellow Islander Rachel Finni. In the clip, you can hear Brad McClelland, Tyler Cruickshank, Jake Cornish, and Aaron Francis all laugh at Finni being described as a “bombshell,” referring to the fact she was one of the bombshells to enter the villa in their series. McClelland says: “Rachel, yet again, not a bombshell,” with the boys all continuing to laugh.

Taking to Instagram Stories afterwards, Finni wrote: “Today is the first day I’ve had a feeling of regret when it comes to appearing on the show... [A year] later and I’m still being bullied/taunted openly for all to see.” The ex-Islanders in question have since put out various public apologies and have also limited comments on their Instagram accounts.

But this isn’t the first time that Love Island has courted controversy in the treatment and reception of Black women on the show. Yewande Biala — whotook part in the 2019 series — revealed that fellow contestant Lucie Donlan had repeatedly mispronounced her name, and even called her by a different name weeks into filming. In a Twitter statement posted in January 2021, Biala wrote “Being black on TV means not rising [sic] your voice, not being too defensive, because you don’t want to create the narrative of being an angry black woman or being a bully.” Biala had faced unfounded accusations of bullying from Donlan.

Finni’s Statement On The Apologies

Days after the clip surfaced, Finni took to Instagram Stories to slam the apologies from those involved.

She said: “I want to make something very clear right now… these statements that have been put out is just to save your backs. How dare you make it seem like… you’ve apologised and it’s been accepted.”

““I am not right with anyone that’s been involved in anything that’s been said about me. I never will. You can apologise but it can’t be received. I’m not receiving any of these apologies. I’m not taking any of these false statements.”

McClelland and Cruickshank publicised statements on Instagram, but at the time of publication, Cornish and Francis have yet to respond.

McClelland & Cruickshank Respond

McClelland put out a statement on Instagram Stories saying that he has “reached out to Rachel personally and apologised for any hurt that I have caused.”

Cruikshank put out a similar statement on his Instagram Stories, stating that the is “sad and disappointed to understand that my reaction to the comments made during an Instagram live with three fellow islanders have upset and offended another individual.”

Faye Winter & Sharon Gaffka Also Comment

Sharon Gaffka, who appeared on Love Island with Finni, said on Instagram that “I feel very strongly that Rachel’s feelings of hurt are completely valid. Words can cut and feelings can be hurt; especially in such a public setting. This incident needs to be taken as a lesson learned for all involved.”

Faye Winter also weighed in, but from a somewhat different perspective. Winter had an explosive argument with boyfriend Teddy Soares on the show, which sparked 25,000 Ofcom complaints. Alluding to alleged threats and comments the boys have received sine the video surfaced, she wrote on Instagram Stories: “I hope that the individuals involved have learnt from their comments as I have but I also hope that everyone learns that two wrongs do not make a right and cancel culture is being taken too far.”