“Are you open or closed off?” A question host Estella Manneh asked Love Island USA fans as they entered Central Social Hall on Jasper Avenue for Edmonton’s very own watch party. After Central Social Hall agreed to host the event, Manneh posted an ad on TikTok and Instagram. Manneh said tickets started selling fast. “We sold out of all the entries at the door which was 130 people,” she told CTV News Edmonton. “Now we are over 150 people.” The watch party reserved the whole restaurant for fans to watch the latest episode. “It’s funny to be in a room filled with strangers all yelling at the TV,” said fan of the show Shayna Kozun. Love Island USA Season 7 premiered on June 3. Since the start of the season, the show has grown in popularity and is the number one reality show in America across all streaming platforms. Nielsen data says it has more than 434 million minutes viewed. Thursday night’s watch party gave fans in Edmonton a unique opportunity to engage face-to-face rather than online. “There’s a synergistic effect of the emotions and the energy that happens in a room when we’re all doing the same thing,” said registered psychologist Dr. Ganz Ferrance. “There’s a real sense of unity.” The latest episode spared no feelings as five islanders were dumped from the villa. Earlier in the week the islanders’ fates were put in the audience’s hands when they were tasked to vote for their favourite and least favourite girl and boy. Central Social Hall was witness to strong reactions as fans were pleased and disappointed with some results. Amaya Espinal was named America’s most trustworthy and genuine girl leaving fans all in agreement. The restaurant erupted when islander Taylor Williams was saved, leading to controversy. “Everyone’s engaged, having fun and having drinks. It’s a whole experience,” said another fan of the show, Cole Ewasiuk. After the episode finished, Edmonton had its very own tell all. A microphone was passed around the restaurant for viewers to make their opinion heard. “Who doesn’t love drama?” said Kozun. This won’t be the end for Love Island USA watch parties in Edmonton. Manneh plans to host another one later in the summer.
