Why Love Island viewers are concerned for Shaughna’s mental health

Unbeknownst to Shaughna, her partner Callum is moving on with somebody else – and fast. Love Island viewers are worried this heartbreaking revelation will hurt her mental health

Love Island‘s Shaughna Phillips has been open about her insecurities since she first entered the villa in January, even describing herself as “an insecure Ian”. While the general consensus among viewers is that she’s smart, funny and beautiful, the Londoner has struggled with body confidence and self-esteem for years.

Not only did Shaughna work hard to lose four stone in weight since 2016, but she has also had a breast lift and lip fillers. What’s more, she regularly talks about feeling “ugly” and often criticises herself for having “spots” and “eating crisps”.

The 25-year-old has also been seen comparing herself to other girls in the villa, which leads her to feel down about herself. When Geordie girl Rebecca arrived on the scene and took Shaughna’s man Callum for a date, Shaughna said, “She’s an absolute Greek goddess. What is there not to visually enjoy of her? Have you seen her? She’s a stunning girl. I’m such an insecure Ian.

“I feel like such a mug…” she went on. “He said she was hot, and he wasn’t talking about me and he wasn’t talking about the weather.” It took many days for the Democratic Services Officer to finally feel reassured in her coupling again.

That is until Callum left the main villa for nearby Casa Amour without saying goodbye. While all of the other boys left a token of affection on their girls’ pillows, Callum left nothing for Shaughna. “Every single bed had stuff on it apart from mine,” she said through tears. “I go for the idiots all the time. I just feel like it’s happening again.”

Callum and Shaughna

‘Hurt before’

It’s clear to anyone watching Love Island that Shaughna has been more invested in her relationship with Callum than he has. He’s rarely affectionate with her, and when he is, it’s because she instigated it.

After three weeks of getting to know one another, she has fallen for him hard, even admitting to the girls, “I really did not think I’d be missing him this much.” Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for him.

In the 24 hours that he’s been away, Callum has admitted to the boys that he has “no sexual attraction” to Shaughna, but that he has intense sexual attraction to new-girl Molly. He has already kissed her numerous times, shared a bed with her, and said, “Every time I look at Molly, I’m like: ‘Wow.'”

Callum and Molly

Viewers are worried this will break Shaughna’s confidence (and her heart). The Londoner has already said, “I just don’t know what I would do if he comes back with a girl… I would not be able to live in this villa” – but that scenario is looking increasingly likely.

One viewer tweeted, “You can tell Shaughna has been hurt before by the fact she’s already preparing herself for Callum walking back in with someone else. I wish she knew how much the public is rooting for her.”

You can tell Shaughna has been hurt before by the fact she’s literally already preparing herself for Callum walking back in with someone else. I wish she knew how much the public are rooting for her #loveisland

— Harriet Wright (@wrightharrietx) February 4, 2020

‘Take Shaughna out of the villa’

Given Shaughna’s issues with self-esteem and confidence, Love Island viewers are dreading the moment she realises Callum has left her. Some are even calling on producers to remove her from the villa before he gets back, in an effort to ease her heartbreak somewhat.

“They should just take Shaughna out of the villa before Callum returns. I don’t want to see her heart/confidence get ripped to shreds. This is gonna be so bad.”

They should just take Shaughna out of the villa before Callum returns. I don’t wanna see her heart/confidence get ripped to shreds. This is gonna be so badddd #loveisland

— Nola Thee Journalist (@NolaMarianna) February 4, 2020

Others are saying producers should warn her, and/or offer her emotional support in advance of the inevitable. Many say she “deserves more” and “better” than to be led on by someone who obviously isn’t feeling it.

While everyone understands Callum can’t force himself to feel something that’s not there, they’re annoyed by the way he went about it – especially given everything Shaughna’s been through this season. It isn’t the first time he has let her down over the past few weeks, but hopefully, it will be the last.

Photos: Love Island, ITV

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