Monday, June 22, 2026
Spectator Sport
Pelé: The King
A Hesitant Hop...
I enjoy reality TV as much as the next guy. I watch Survivor and Below Deck, and used to really get into Big Brother, American Idol and The Voice in their first few seasons. I don't however, like reality shows based in love and romance. Although I'll dip into almost any show for an episode or two if there's a hot guy, or nude model being painted, but romance and reality just don't go together for me,
Like so many of you however, I have noticed all the social media posts about the guys on season eight of Love Island. I've watched a few episodes of Love Island before, but this 5 or 6 episodes a week stuff is just too much for me. Who can commit to so many episodes, especially with so much of it just flashback and filler. Still, although I'm not jumping on the bandwagon, I did have to take a 'hesitant hop' and checked out the first episode last night.
All the guys on the first episode were hot, with Sean being my initial favorite. Most of the fuss is about Zach and Bryce, and if either or both are gay. I didn't really see any signs last night, although most guys on reality ping my gaydar at one point or another. It was only the first episode however, so I know most of what people are seeing occurred in subsequent shows.
I did recognize Bryce however, from some images I had saved previously. I've been following his modeling career for awhile and had been planning a post prior to this season's Love Island beginning. From the little I saw, his comfort around other men, both gay and straight, may in part stem from his modeling career.
Men in the modeling industry can't be shy, around either women or other men. There's little time for shyness when a quick change is required and Bryce has also worked with Calvin Klein, and been a part of underwear campaigns. When modeling underwear, your junk is in focus and is heavily securitized by many sets of eyes before an image is approved for release.
As far as Zach goes, who knows, given he loves comics, and works in the health care profession, he could be gay, but the bromance might just be for the cameras, with the audience being punked. Time will tell, I may try another episode on the weekend, but until we have some confirmation, I saw the producers are doing a great job of selling a story for ratings. Certainly led me to check it out.


























