Ciara Miller and Tefi Pessoa, the new co-hosts of Love Island: Aftersun, have disclosed that producers frequently remind them to be less harsh on the male Islanders, admitting they can be particularly tough when discussing the villa's most significant relationship dramas.
Behind the Scenes of Aftersun
Speaking exclusively to People, the duo opened up about their dynamic on the Peacock companion series, where they analyze the week's biggest moments from Love Island USA. While they pride themselves on holding contestants accountable, Miller joked that production sometimes has to step in. “Production has to remind us to be semi-neutral and to not gang up on the guys. So we're doing our best,” said the Summer House star.
Pessoa echoed the sentiment with a laugh, revealing that viewers can often tell when producers have intervened. “It's because a producer said, 'Please be nice,'” she joked.
Humanizing the Islanders
Despite their candid commentary, both hosts stressed that one of Aftersun’s most important responsibilities is reminding audiences that the Islanders are real people navigating relationships under extraordinary circumstances. “I think also we need to remember the part that we love about Aftersun is that it's here to humanise these people,” Pessoa said, noting that every contestant is “someone's son” or “someone's brother.”
Miller agreed, adding that most of the Islanders are in their twenties and still learning how to communicate while their mistakes play out in front of millions of viewers. Miller said her own experience as a reality television personality helps her empathise with contestants. “When you're in it, it's like a pressure cooker,” she explained, saying she understands how editing and the pressures of filming can influence how situations unfold on screen.
Observations on Fan Culture
Pessoa, meanwhile, described herself as a keen observer of reality television and fan culture, saying she often recognises the narrative arcs contestants experience throughout a season. She noted that audiences frequently embrace underdogs before turning against them, only to sympathise with them again once backlash intensifies.
Friendship and Chemistry
The pair's chemistry extends beyond the studio. Miller and Pessoa first met at an event featuring Oprah Winfrey and then-Vice President Kamala Harris before becoming close friends. Their friendship has grown even stronger while filming Love Island: Aftersun together in Fiji, where they now spend much of the summer covering the hit dating series.
Miller and Pessoa were announced as the new co-hosts of Love Island: Aftersun earlier this year, succeeding Maura Higgins for Season 8 of Love Island USA. Their witty commentary and unfiltered reactions have quickly made them fan favourites, even if producers occasionally have to remind them to cut the villa's men a little slack.
