Love Island’s twelfth series has been nothing short of dramatic, but perhaps no storyline has gripped fans more than the deepening divide among the female contestants. As tensions simmer and alliances fracture, viewers have witnessed what many are calling the most bitter feud the villa has ever seen, splitting the girls into two clear camps led by Meg Moore and Helena Ford on one side, and Shakira Khan, Toni Laites, and Yasmin Pettet on the other.
The origins of this clash seem to trace back to the very start of the series. Fans on Reddit and social media have pointed to the moment when Dejon pulled Shakira aside for a chat, which sparked immediate hostility from Meg. One Reddit user wrote, “It’s crazy to think that Meg and Shakira literally walked in together for them to just not get along. I purely blame Meg. I think it’s her being jealous of Shakira. All Meg has done is make snarky comments about her from day one, especially day two.”
Another fan noted, “Meg instantly said ‘Shakira stole my man’ from day one,” highlighting how quickly the tension escalated. This sentiment was echoed by others who observed that “all the boys standing up for Shakira on day two cemented their jealousy,” suggesting that Shakira was doomed to face opposition from the outset simply for forming connections as expected in the villa.
Lauren Wood, a recently dumped Casa Amor bombshell, confirmed the divide during a recent chat with heat Towers. “I think there’s definitely a divide between the girls. I think there was a divide because of the couples situation. For me, there was a divide because Toni was friends with Shakira and Yas and I was never going to be close to Toni. It’s definitely safe to say there was a divide,” she said.
Andrada Pop, another Casa Amor participant, added her perspective, explaining, “When we [the Casa Amor girls] did go into the villa, there was a little bit of a divide and I kinda got closer to Shakira, Toni, Yas and Billykiss [Azeez]. That was my little group. Coming out on the outside, me, Lucy [Quinn] and Lauren have been really, really good friends. We’ve stayed in touch and we had a great time together. They would be my girlies.”
But the fissures within the villa have only deepened since. Thursday night’s episode, which featured “The Grafties” awards show, brought the simmering tensions to a boil. A clip aired showing Toni and Shakira making less than savoury comments about Meg, leading to a tearful Meg accusing them of being “fake to her face.” Shakira responded bluntly, “We said what we said, it was after Movie Night. I don't know why it's so surprising, we had a scrap that night.”
The episode’s portrayal has sparked an outcry among viewers, many of whom have taken to social media to defend Shakira. Numerous fans expressed concern for her wellbeing, calling the episode “cruel” and worrying about the mental toll the show’s editing and narrative framing might be having on her. One viewer commented, “Anyone else feeling genuinely uncomfortable watching this episode of Love Island? It’s actually just cruel now.” Another wrote, “Just caught up with Love Island—I hope Shakira is okay, she is such a genuine soul deep down, and I hope her mental health is okay… she isn't herself in there.”
Critics have accused the producers of selectively editing footage to villainize Toni and Shakira while ignoring harsh remarks from other contestants. “The Love Island producers are so mean for painting Toni and Shakira as gossipers when Meg, Dejon, Harry and Helena have been gunning for them since the beginning,” one social media user said. Another added, “Love Island producers, why are you doing Shakira so dirty? Do you want her to crack? Do better.”
Despite the negativity, Shakira has earned praise for her authenticity and maturity. Fans have called her “the most self-aware, mature person in Love Island history,” and applauded her decision to be genuine rather than play the game strategically. “You can't say Shakira is a game player,” one fan noted. “She could have faked it with Ty and Conor to get to the final and potentially win, but she didn't.”
The emotional strain on Shakira was made evident earlier this week when she had a meltdown in the beach hut after ending her relationship with Conor over lingering feelings for Harry. A source revealed, “Shakira has been through the wringer and was already at breaking point over her heartbreak by Harry. When Harry made it exclusive with Helena, everything unravelled and she realised she wasn’t ready to be with Conor properly.”
Shakira’s distress led her to seek support from the show’s 24/7 duty of care team, even asking to leave the villa. Thankfully, the team helped her through her emotions, and she ultimately decided to stay. This incident highlights the pressures contestants face behind the scenes, often hidden from viewers.
Meanwhile, the fallout from “The Grafties” also saw Helena confront Harry over his behaviour. In a tense exchange by the Firepit, Helena accused Harry of failing her and not taking accountability. “I've backed you the whole time I've been in here, and you've failed me every single time,” she said. Harry, unfazed, replied, “I’m not going back on anything I’ve ever said.” Helena challenged him further, “Why are you even with me? You clearly don’t like me.”
Conor also sought answers from Harry, questioning his motives for flirting with Shakira despite being with Helena. “Is it just the thing of, you want what you can’t have?” Conor asked. “You know by flirting with her what you’re doing, you’re prodding her, what is that for? Just think about what you want… You’ll end up with nobody,” he warned.
Adding to the controversy, a domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid, criticized this year’s series for showcasing toxic male behaviour. While not naming individuals, the charity accused some male contestants of “lying, manipulating and covering for each other” and “treating relationship boundaries and women like a game.” They also highlighted instances of “gaslighting” and dismissing emotional boundaries, raising concerns about the messages such portrayals send to viewers.
Since the series began on June 7, 2025, Ofcom has received over 3,000 complaints about Love Island, with many focusing on the treatment of Shakira. On July 11, Ofcom noted receiving 266 complaints related to her portrayal during “Movie Night.” In response, Love Island producers have emphasized their duty of care procedures, which include 24/7 support, social media suspensions, and ongoing welfare measures before, during, and after filming. They have pledged to review these policies after each series, incorporating feedback from former Islanders.
As the series continues to unfold, the villa remains a hotbed of drama, fractured friendships, and emotional upheaval. Whether the rift between the girls will heal or widen further remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Love Island 2025 is delivering its most intense and polarizing season yet.
