The Only Way Is Essex‘s female cast members have defended their male co-stars, after some viewers accused them of “abusive” behaviour towards women.
Following Sunday night’s episode of TOWIE (September 9), Courtney Green, Chloe Meadows and Amber Turner spoke to Heart on the subject, with Courtney saying some of the uncomfortable scenes were in the “heat of the moment”.
Amber Turner said: “I don’t think they feel as though they can talk to women [disrespectfully].
“I think that in any relationship or heated argument someone is going to raise their voice, whether its a boy or a girl – this time it just happened to be Myles [Barnett] and Lockie [James Lock].
View this post on Instagram
We are backkkkkkk and stronger than ever. Brand new @towie tonight 9pm on @itvbe
A post shared by •COURTNEY GREEN• (@courtneymegz) on
“This doesn’t mean they’re abusive, everyone raises their voices in arguments.”
Courtney added: “After filming, the boys completely regret it. I think in the heat of the moment you just say it and you don’t actually mean it and then after you think, what I have I done?
“I know that from Myles’ point of view he felt sick at himself after he’d did that.”
Chloe continued: “I’ve had arguments with Myles and Lockie [about the way they talk to girls], it’s not like we all sit there and accept it.”
Back in April, The Only Way Is Essex came under fire from domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid, which accused the show of normalising “toxic masculinity”.
“The first two episodes are demonstrations of really nasty, potentially abusive behaviour by some of the central characters towards their girlfriends,” Women’s Aid campaign manager Sian Hawkins told the BBC. “As part of a pattern of behaviour, it signals danger.”
View this post on Instagram
Press day at ITV for the new series of @towie
A post shared by •COURTNEY GREEN• (@courtneymegz) on
A spokesperson for TOWIE previouslytold Digital Spy in a statement: “The Only Way Is Essexreflects the real lives of the cast. The producers strive to portray the whole story without censorship or comment whilst being aware that behaviour should not go unchallenged.
“This is an on-going series and we follow developments with our cast and their relationships, but in the episodes that have aired, there have been scenes that showed fellow cast members’ criticism and also reflection and apologies from those involved.”
The Only Way Is Essex airs on ITV Be.
Source: Read Full Article
