Awkward reality TV moment Love Island Australia viewers can't look past

Love Island Australia fans are struggling to understand an awkward moment during Monday night’s premiere—namely when contestant Cynthia Taylu was snubbed by potential partners.

Despite her show stopping looks and bubbly personality, the 22-year-old model was picked last during the initial partnering, even after she stepped forward for Mattt Zukowski, who ended up choosing Vanessa.

In the series’ opening episode the female singletons line up in order for the men to take their pick.

If the girls like the look of a suitor they can step forward and even after being chosen, she can switch to another eligible bachelor if he seems more appealing.

Due to not being picked, Cynthia was paired with Sam Withers—as he was earlier dumped by Vanessa—in a match which some viewers labelled both ‘painful’ and ‘so awkward’.

Cynthia’s rough start

But the controversy didn’t end once the couple became official, with fans continuously pointing out Cynthia’s harsh baptism into the dating series.

“These blokes are obviously f***ing blind!” wrote one angered fan. “Do they not see Cynthia there in front of them.”

“The one woman of colour being chosen last by clones of the same looking guys,” quipped another.

“So glad everyone is tweeting about Cynthia. It's so hard watching shows like #LoveIslandAU as a black girl. Always last to be picked because these guys are all into the same looking bland girls.”

Others were quick to point out Cynthia’s role as Love Island’s only non-white contestant was an important one for representation in the largely non-diverse world of reality TV.

“This show is a sad indictment of Australian culture and the way difference isn’t embraced,” one user wrote.

Another discussed why fans should ‘rally behind Cynthia’ during her stint on the dating program, regardless of how she’s received by the other singletons.

“[She’s the only] black girl on the show who once again plays the role of token diversity inclusion to prove it isn't discriminating...even though it is.”

Army of supporters

But all was not lost, as many users were quick to offer the contestant advice and encouraged her to enjoy the experience regardless of whether she finds love or not.

“If I was Cynthia I would enjoy my free holiday and stay hydrated and moisturised,” one fan advised.

However, the potentially awkward debut ended up earning Cynthia a bevy of fans who pledged to back her stint on the series.

“All I know is I’m voting to save Cynthia no matter what and that’s on,” another viewer promised.

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