The return of the show Island of Attraction to Telecinco for its sixth edition was complicated by a fresh wave of online hostility aimed at a participant. Keyla, one of the season’s singles, revealed in a TikTok video that she faced transphobic comments after becoming the first transgender woman to appear in Spain’s reality TV history. She stated, for the first and last time, she would allow herself to become visibly moved in response to the abuse.
In her post, she explained that she would curate the images she shared, avoiding the harsher ones because platform limits could remove the video. The remarks she faced ranged from questions about her identity to dismissive and cruel comparisons, such as comments implying she would bring a problematic twist, insinuations about gender, and derogatory insinuations about anatomy. These are examples of the hateful commentary reported by viewers and later discussed by the show’s production team [Fuente: Telecinco].
Keyla acknowledged the sting of such language but also described a process of emotional recalibration. She said she understands that insulting words can wound, even if many people do not see the harm in their words, and she contrasted the behavior of unhappy individuals who hide behind screens with her own resolve to keep moving forward [Fuente: Telecinco].
Her message in the video was clear: the aim was to illustrate how online insults can be directed toward someone who is not emotionally resilient, and how such comments can have lasting consequences in real life. She emphasized that the dialogue is not about a joke but about the impact of damaging remarks on a person’s mental health and daily life [Fuente: Telecinco].
The program’s team also spoke out against the hypocrisy apparent in some reactions to the situation. They condemned discussions that framed bullying as harmless or trivial, noting that the harm extends beyond a single moment online. They highlighted cases where individuals have reported severe emotional distress and, in extreme instances, tragic outcomes linked to bullying. The show’s representatives stressed that they stand with participants who face harassment and that resilience is not a license for cruelty. They affirmed their support for Keyla and reiterated their commitment to addressing and mitigating online abuse whenever possible [Fuente: Telecinco].
Keyla further reflected on the broader issue of social media culture, describing herself as mentally strong but affirming the importance of recognizing harm when it occurs. She expressed a determination to persist in her public journey, even as she processes the hurt caused by insults. The presenter and production team noted that insults directed at any contestant must be taken seriously, not dismissed as mere comments, because they reflect attitudes that can affect individuals long after the moment of broadcast [Fuente: Telecinco].
In closing, Keyla underscored a fundamental message: insults about a person’s identity, orientation, color, or appearance are not harmless. She urged viewers to consider the real impact of their words and urged others to avoid repeating damaging behavior online. Her stance is a call for accountability and a reminder that empathy should guide how audiences engage with reality television and the people who participate in it [Fuente: Telecinco].