THE Love Island final is just days away and Liz Evans is one parent who will be tuning in to see this year’s winners – along with her 13-year-old daughter Millie–Jayne.
While some parents wouldn’t dream of letting their child watch a bunch of scantily-clad twentysomethings parading around in skimpy swimwear and “cracking on” in bed together, Liz sees nothing wrong in it.
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Her daughter Millie-Jayne, 13, who goes by the nickname MJ, has tuned in every night for the past seven weeks.
It’s her plan to go on the show when she’s old enough and she has her mum’s full backing.
Despite this series racking up 3,600 Ofcom complaints in one week, with viewers calling out “misogynistic” behaviour, Liz says: “It is what it is,” and she sees the show as being an important learning tool for her teen.
The mum of one, who lives in Luton, Beds with Carl, 52, a catering manager, says: “I know many parents might be horrified that I let MJ watch but if parents want to be prudish that’s fine.
“We’re all so excited about the final and we’re behind Ekin-Su and Davide to be crowned the winners.
“I’ve raised MJ to be open about sex and ask questions and some of the issues faced by couples on the show have prompted frank chats between us.
“When the girls did lap dances wearing sexy themed dress- ups we talked about how important it is to own your own body, whatever shape or size you are.”
Liz, 46, says putting a viewing ban on the show would only lead to MJ watching it in secret — something she is keen to avoid.
“Parents are fooling themselves if they think stopping a child from watching Love Island will work and it’s asking for trouble — they’ll just watch it behind their backs anyway on YouTube or elsewhere,” she explains.
“The show is rated PG and I’d rather be sitting beside MJ to answer questions that come up.
“The show isn’t just about a group of men and women wandering around in skimpy swimwear. It’s an educational tool and a snapshot into real life and what some men and women are actually like.
“MJ has been quick to work out which contestants are playing the game and realises some people are on the show to make a name for themselves or cash in with social media followers.”
For some parents, it would be toe-curling to watch the show’s risqué challenges with their teen — especially the heart-rate challenge, which saw the contestants perform a provocative show for each other.
But Liz says: “MJ laughed at the girls’ attempts to be sexy. She isn’t embarrassed by the show’s more provocative elements and she says if she gets to go on the show when she’s older, she’d do better.
“She’s opinionated and isn’t scared to talk about sex — good for her.”
Liz is also convinced that MJ would have the confidence that’s needed to be a contestant.
“I know she’d be fantastic and would mix things up,” she says.
“She’s smarter than many of the contestants too and she isn’t ashamed of her body. Wandering around in a cheeky bikini on national TV doesn’t bother her, or me.
“It’s a great stepping stone career wise. It would hopefully open doors to potential acting roles and she’d definitely stand out.”
Liz is also laid back with her parenting when it comes to MJ’s school work and sleep, which she says gives her daughter no reason to rebel.
It’s a great stepping stone career wise. It would hopefully open doors to potential acting roles and she’d definitely stand out.
Liz Evans
She says: “Trust is critical with teenagers today and I trust MJ unreservedly. She has always had more freedom than her friends and no reason to rebel.
“Even on a school night, we leave MJ to chat on the phone, do her TikToks and watch YouTube, and she decides when she goes to bed.
She is normally asleep by midnight but the latest time on a school night has been 2am.
“It makes no sense to force a child who isn’t tired and ready for bed to try to sleep, so she decides herself.
“I’ve done that since she was little and other mums thought I was asking for trouble.
“MJ knows if she’s gone to bed too late because she’s tired the next day — and she still gets great grades at school.
“She makes her own choices about what homework she does and doesn’t complete, and when she does it.
“Curfews aren’t necessary. She was out one weekend and ended up at a party. I didn’t tell her what time to be home because I trusted her. One of her friends’ parents dropped her off just after midnight.”
While Liz says MJ would like to go to college and university, she says being academic is not the be all and end all as her heart is in reality TV and acting.
She says: “MJ has done acting classes since she was four and at nine played Katie in School Of Rock in the West End.
“She was living in a house with the other child stars with chaperones and was on the stage until 11pm each night.
“Nailing an audition on Love Island when she’s older would be a real coup for MJ.
“Many parents are too scared to trust their kids and give them freedom. They need space to make mistakes and learn from them.
“MJ is a smart, intelligent and well- mannered girl so we are definitely doing something right.”
MJ says: “Love Island is amazing and I’m determined to go on it.
“My parents have always trusted me and I’d never let them down. Other friends who have strict parents are the ones who rebel.
“My mum and dad are totally cool.”
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