‘She’s too young!’: Love Island fans call for a higher minimum age on the ITV dating show as they express shock over Gemma Owen revealing she is 19
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Love Island fans have called for a higher minimum age to be enforced on the ITV show after expressing their shock over Gemma Owens only being 19 years old.
The daughter of footballer Michael Owen revealed her age while introducing herself to her fellow Islanders during Monday night’s debut episode.
During the episode, the contestants took part in a ‘dares’ challenge which saw Gemma asked to kiss the ‘boy she fancied the most’ in the Majorcan villa.
Surprise: Love Island fans have called for a higher minimum age to be enforced on the ITV show after expressing their shock over Gemma Owens only being 19 years old
She was coupled up with Liam Llewellyn, 22, but leaned in for a peck with Italian bombshell Davide Sanclimenti, who is 27 years old.
But the moment left fans divided as many took to Twitter to call for a higher minimum age to be enforced on the show, as it currently stands at 18 years old.
Viewers offered their opinions on what they thought the show’s minimum age should be as they claimed Gemma was ‘too young’ to appear on the dating programme.
One person wrote: ‘She’s too young for Love Island. The age limit should be 21. A teenager trying to get a 27 year old man to show an interest in them doesn’t sit well with me at all!’
Young: The daughter of footballer Michael Owen revealed her age while introducing herself to her fellow Islanders during Monday night’s debut episode
Another penned: ‘Sorry age limit for love island should be 21.’
A third tweeted: ‘Should be an age limit on entering #LoveIsland 21+.’
And a fourth commented: ‘Up the age limit on this show. For people who have genuinely had love but it didnt work out & for people who are genuinely looking for it.
’25 is an age most people are starting to get in serious relationships. These people are too young & just want the plt deals.’
While a fifth said: ‘I feel like there should be an age limit of AT LEAST 21 on this show because 19 is just mad.’
Challenge: During the episode, the contestants also took part in a ‘dares’ which saw Gemma asked to kiss the ‘boy she fancied the most’ – leading her to kiss 27-year-old Davide
Criticism: But it left fans divided as many took to Twitter to call for a higher minimum age to be enforced as it currently stands at 18 years old
A sixth added: ‘Gemma is too young, there should be a lower age limit on this show…22/23 maybe.’
And another wrote: ‘The age limit should be starting at 21 minimum.’
It comes after it was revealed that Gemma’s Instagram following was boosted after the debut episode of the eighth series aired on Monday.
She went from 42,400 followers when she was revealed as a contestant, to 78,000 on the morning of the opening show, to a whopping 138,000 the morning after the first episode, according to BoyleSports.
This marks a rise of 76.92 per cent rise after the show was aired, and a 225% from being on the series so far, making her the most followed Islander this year by far.
Success: It comes after it was revealed that Gemma’s Instagram following overnight after the debut episode of the eighth series aired on Monday
With recent reports that Molly-Mae Hague, 23, has raked in a staggering estimated net worth of £4.5million, it seems Gemma is hoping to take the same path.
MailOnline spoke Jonathan Shalit OBE, chairman of InterTalent Rights Group, who said that Gemma stands to make as much money as followers, if she can get her numbers to rise further.
He said: ‘Gemma’s family history makes her an immediate star who will be a great attraction to many brands.
‘Her social media numbers though do need to improve as relatively low, considering her profile and parentage.
‘If Gemma can get past 500,000 Instagram followers, I would expect her to make around half a million pounds. Then more than a million pounds if she gets over a million followers.’
Island riches: Gemma (left) could be set to follow in the footsteps of Molly-Mae Hague, 23, (right) and her £4.5m riches as she bids to take over as Love Island’s most profitable star
Proud dad: Gemma is daughter to former England striker Michael Owen, with her profile already prominent in the public eye due to the famous connection
Gemma is already the owner of swimwear brand OG Beachwear, which she created in 2020 – and opened another company just last month in preparation for her villa fame.
Listing it as a ‘media representation company’, Gemma set up OG Promotions just weeks before the launch of Love Island – seemingly getting prepared for a storm of fame.
The businesswoman, who previously told The Sun that she is inspired by Kylie Jenner, seems to be hoping to emulate the success of Molly-Mae – who came runner-up in the show – who is now Creative Director of PrettyLittleThing and owns company Filter By Molly Mae.
Gemma is also daughter to former England striker Michael, with her profile already prominent in the public eye due to the famous connection.
Unhappy: But others thought her famous roots didn’t serve her well on the debut episode, branding her ‘stuck up’ and ‘rude’
Her rise to the top comes despite viewers less than favourable Twitter reception to Gemma, where she was branded ‘stuck up’ and ‘rude’.
One wrote: ‘Gemma Owen is either way too young to be on Love Island or is just extremely stuck up. She needs to leave.’
Last year’s contestant Chloe Burrows even joined in on the action, writing: ‘Gemma ur attitude STINKS mate’
Gemma seemingly got off to a frosty start on Monday night, as she coupled up with Liam in the show’s first episode, but struggled to hit it off after being paired up in the public vote.
LOVE ISLAND 2022: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Paige Thorne
Name: Paige Thorne
Age: 24
Location: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Who is their type on paper? ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find.
I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!
‘I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys. Then I was like, ‘Ok, I’m bored now’
Indiyah Polack
Name: Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
Location: London
Occupation: Hotel waitress
Who is their type on paper? ‘It’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that.
Love Island is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one.
I don’t think I have ever been out with two guys who are quite the same.’
Tasha Ghouri
Name: Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
Location: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and dancer
Who is their type on paper? ‘My dating life has been a shambles.
This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time.
I’m definitely ready for a relationship. I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone and travel with them.’
Gemma Owen
Name: Gemma Owen
Age: 19
Location: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘I am open to finding love, I’m wanting to have a really fun summer.
I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest.
If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.
Andrew Le Page
Name: Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
Location: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Who is their type on paper? ‘When I’m with someone I’m very loyal.
I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them.
I’m actually single for once, so I thought why not?
This is the best time to give it a go.’
Luca Bish
Name: Luca Bish
Age: 23
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Who is their type on paper? ‘I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it.
If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going – then I won’t be throwing out dates.
Dami Hope
Name: Dami Hope
Age: 26
Location: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Who is their type on paper? ‘I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some.
When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing.
I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. I’m really good at being in a team’.
Liam Llewellyn
Name: Liam Llewellyn
Age: 22
Location: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Masters Student
Who is their type on paper? ’22 is a really nice age to meet someone, you’ve got your years ahead of you so you have time to grow together.
Love Island is a great opportunity to meet someone, you’re in with a load of different types so you can get to grips with what you really like.’
Davide Sanclimenti
Name: Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
Location: Rome (lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘A lot of English girls actually love me.
They love to be around me and I love to be around them. I want to find my soulmate.
Find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family. ‘
Ikenna Ekwonna
Name: Ikenna Ekwonna
Age: 23
Location: Nottingham
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Who is their type on paper? ‘I’ve only been in one past relationship but now I think I’m at the age where I could find someone.
Hopefully, I’m going to bring spontaneity and excitement.
I’m not really shy to speak to people I don’t really care too much about what people think.’
Amber Beckford
Name: Amber Beckford
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Nanny
Who is their type on paper? ‘I don’t like guys that show off.
I don’t like flashy guys – just have a personality and make me laugh.
There was this one guy and he was trying to purposefully show off his car keys and we were literally in the middle of a restaurant!’
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