Islander Introduction - love island dr first interviews
(format and question inspo from @belamourmoon)
oh my gosh this is really happening!?!
hi! i'm mary, i'm 23, and i currently live in chicago. i work as a content writer for this really cool travel magazine - i originally interned for them in college - i basically get paid to galavant around the world and put what i see to paper...er, screen, technically. i've been to over a dozen countries, and almost every u.s. state. my passport sees more action than i do at this point.
How would people typically describe you?
i'm always the incessant optimist in every situation. some call it a strength, some call it an annoyance. i just find that it takes less energy to be positive and happy, than negative and grouchy. i'll almost always have a smile on my face, it's like my default facial expression. i would definitely categorize myself as outgoing, being a retired theater kid absolutely helps in that area. my friends poke fun at me a little bit, but i'm always humming or breaking out into song if someone says a lyric out of context. and if there's music playing somewhere, anywhere, i'm gonna dance a little bit.
How long have you been single?
i've been single for well over a year and a half. my last relationship very unceremoniously fizzled out so i've been trying to really build up my confidence.
Why did you choose to come on love island?
the dating scene in chicago is genuinely a dumpster fire. you're either getting a west loop finance bro or spoiled rich boy from the suburbs. and both will be against commitment and ghost you without a second thought. if i wanted that, i'd be a ghostbuster. plus, it's difficult to try and built a foundation with someone when you're always on the move. so i figured going on a dating show was the next logical step.
How would you summarise your dating history?
uhm...not cute. i've only been in two relationships and a handful of situationships, which honestly has my sanity hanging on by a thread. i'm a lover girl, y'all! i want to be swept off my feet and have that rom-com kind of love!! like is it really that hard to find a guy who isn't shared shitless of commitment?
Have you ever been in love before?
i want to say yes, but the one relationship i had that was serious enough to warrant falling in love was when i was quite young so i don't know if it was really love, ya know? i've always wanted to fall in love, and be in love, but i just haven't found the right guy where i'm comfortable to really let myself feel those types of things.
How would you describe your type on paper?
ooooh. well i need a guy who is kind. that sounds like such a basic answer, and maybe i'm just jaded, but whyyyy is it so damn hard to find a guy who's nice. because so many guys who label themselves as "nice" are only "nice" because they find you attractive. no, i want a guy who is kind to everyone. you're not just a gentleman to me, you're a gentleman to every woman you interact with. i like my guys nerdy, too. like please talk my ear off about your interests. i hate a guy who is nonchalant about everything, like you gotta give me something because i am the opposite on nonchalant, especially the things that i love. i also really value intelligence. i want someone to go on museum dates with. looks wise, i love a guy with pretty eyes but i don't really have a specific physical type. if you're pretty, i like you, like it's as simple as that.
yo this setup is so cool.
hey i'm stephen, i'm 25, and i'm from columbus, ohio. i'm a professional photographer. i mainly specialize in nature landscapes, and i've even had my photos published in like national geographic and the new yorker. i made my mom really happy with those. i'm looking for my muse...oh my god that was so cheesy, please cut that out i'm begging you!
How would people typically describe you?
my friends have basically labeled me the de facto life of the party. i travel a lot, and have seen and captured a lot of cool things, so i've got stories for days. i'm pretty adventurous, and i'm always down for any kind of activity - whether that's a hike or just trying a new restaurant. i am a bit of a flirt, i can't lie, but the second i'm building something serious with a girl that part of me is reserved exclusively for her. but when i'm single? i'm chatting up everybody.
How long have you been single?
oh gosh, too long. my last relationship ended like two years ago? i've gone on plenty of dates here and there, but they never grew into anything more.
Why did you choose to come on love island?
what's the point in seeing all of these breathtaking wonders of the world if you're by yourself? i want to find my person, especially someone who is down to drop everything and go somewhere beautiful for the weekend. i feel like if someone is down to come all the way to fiji to find love, they'd be down for something like that.
How would you summarise your dating history?
i'm definitely a relationship kind of guy. i've been in three over the course of my life, my last one lasted for almost my entire time at college and was pretty serious, but we ended it because we we're going in different directions - lowkey literally and figuratively. i don't really see the logic behind a situationship, if you like each other...date? like why would you waste each other's time if you don't want the same thing, and if you do - make if official.
Have you ever been in love before?
i have, and it's the most amazing feeling in the world, but it's soul crushing if it fades or the other person doesn't feel the same. ask me how i know. i don't throw out "i love you" randomly, it takes a lot for me to gather the courage and the confidence to express that to someone.
How would you describe your type on paper?
i love someone who is creative, or who at least has an appreciation for the arts. i'm a big movie buff, so if you're down for a movie marathon or movie date i'm already down on one knee. I love someone who is down to explore, like i gotta have someone match my energy for that. i look for a person with a nice smile and a good energy, honestly. i've dated and been in relationships with like everyone under the sun so i don't really have a concrete physical type. if you're beautiful on the inside, chances are i'm gonna find you beautiful on the outside.
xo, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫
get your library card here
okay me timing this to post on the same day at the first episode of s8 is kind of iconic on my part