The second season of CBS’ highly-anticipated Love Island USA is finally here! Although the “island” bit from the popular reality TV show is missing this time around, the singles of the season are at a resort seeking love. Love during lockdown in Las Vegas sounds like a great concept for Love Island, and the show's 11 attractive contestants are very appealing, including Justine Ndiba.
Love Island USA kick-started its new season with a two-hour season premiere last night. With a chance to find love, and a cash prize of $100,000, the singles on the show are competing at The Crownwell Resort amidst the coronavirus outbreak. If quarantine is an issue, so is the plot of Love Island, which makes the search for true love even harder, thanks to dramatic twists and high-tension turns. Based on the highly successful British Love Island, the first season of the CBS series didn’t really get great ratings, but now that it’s back with season 2, the expectations are rocketing sky-high. Love Island was supposed to be filmed in a wet and wild Fiji, but is making do with a safe Vegas villa and a superstar host, Arielle Vandenberg. Just one day since its premiere, Love Island is raking in the rave reviews for its offbeat premise and talented twenty-somethings, one of whom is go-go dancer Justine.
27-year-old Justine is a vision in neon green as she sets foot on Love Island. “Mom and dad, really sorry about everything you’re going to find out about me,” she says and confesses that even though she’s a billing coordinator, on weekends, she works as a go-go dancer. As per her CBS profile, Justine is a through and through Jersey girl staying in Rockaway, but was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Justine, a self-confessed Love Island superfan, immigrated to America with her family in 2001 after surviving the Rwandan genocide. Having just gotten out of a six-year on-off relationship, Justine is looking for “someone who’s not afraid to commit”. She also wants a partner who is tall, kind, humble, respectful, and (ideally) Christian, with a nice smile.
The Love Island resident’s OTP is John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, as they have a romantic relationship that's also a great “friendship.” Her dating profile states: “I'm a hot 27-year-old who's also got the brains. I take pride in my appearance, so working out is important to me, and would love someone I can work out with. My ideal date would be staying in, wearing pajamas while eating takeout and watching a movie in bed. I'm a very outgoing people-person, so I'd love a guy who is the same and can get along with all my friends and family because they are my ride or dies. If you're disrespectful and not humble, keep it pushin!" Justine, who with her finance degree feels like she’s the “full package” can be followed on her Instagram @justinejoy312 for updates.
Justine, who happened to be the only Black woman on Love Island’s first episode, has already sparked some heated conversations. With #JusticeForJustine picking up as a trend in tweets and IG comments, many fans called the CBS show out for colorism. Although she showed interest in Jeremiah, he picked her only after he’d paired himself up with Cely and was later replaced. Justine and Jeremiah fell into each other’s arms reluctantly, with an intention to couple up and avoid getting dumped off the island. Even though the mutually friend-zoned couple decided to continue, a preview of the CBS dating show showed Jeremiah going on a date with new girl Rachel and leaving Justine to fend off for herself on Love Island. Justine didn't feel any kind of connection with the other boys and this added to her troubles. She declared, “Love Island is betraying me” while wishing for new candidates to show up on the reality dating show. Your fans are all saying an “Amen” for you, Justine!
Love Island airs on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 pm ET on CBS.
Source: Justine Ndiba, CBS