“Love Island” presenter Sylvie Meis reveals what changes are coming in the new season and talks about her own single life.
The popular dating show “Love Island” returns after a break of over a year and starts on September 11th at 8:15 p.m. as the first dating format in Germany with a live show. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, presenter Sylvie Meis (45) reveals what else viewers can expect in the new season and what their own flirting mood is like.
“Love Island” is starting again, you’re there for the third time. Why are you staying loyal to the show?
Sylvie Meis: First of all, because I’m a huge “Love Island” fan and I was really excited when they asked me and I wanted to do it so much. I went through all the casting processes and was happy that I was chosen. And every time the season is a little different, this time we really took our time and we come back better than ever before. It will be more exciting and sexy, with a big live show. As a presenter, I think it’s great because I have a lot of experience with it and I love live. It will be very interactive, also for our audience, who can now use the free app to help decide what happens in the villa. And we are back in beautiful surroundings in Greece.
How will the concept work with the live broadcast?
Meis: Our first live show is planned for the start of the season on September 11th at prime time, when the Islanders’ entry into the villa will also be shown. In addition to the regular daily episodes, there will be a total of four live broadcasts on Mondays at 8:15 p.m., to which we will also invite prominent guests and old “Love Island” acquaintances. And I will have reinforcements at my side on Mondays, a moderation grenade (laughs) [Oli.P , Anm.d.Red.]. I’m very happy because live broadcasts are always about interaction and funny moments and that’s really nice when you can create that with someone.
Do you have any favorite candidates or highlights from previous seasons?
Meis: We were all so impressed with Adriano, the way he always came out there, with great expectations and he was so sweet towards me too. I just love it when we see real feelings, because that’s what we expect on Love Island. It’s about great love, it’s about being in love and big feelings. But also about humor. I’m a big fan of Simon as the voice of Love Island. I think this is always right to the point. Of course I’m happy when people stay together, but news of breakups after the show is also a normal thing. You first have to find your way around reality, away from the “Love Island” bubble. Bucci and Sandrine, for example, were beautiful together. I really feel like they loved each other sincerely and genuinely, but sometimes there are reasons why it doesn’t continue, for example the distance.
What can you reveal about this year’s candidates?
Meis: It’s a very exciting cast because we have people who bring something special to the table. For example, you can think of siblings or children of prominent people… And diversity is again very important, there are a wide variety of people there that you haven’t necessarily seen in shows like this before.
What does a perfect Islander have to bring?
Meis: Definitely authenticity, a good mood and the will to flirt. If I went in there, I would show myself in an enlarged version of myself. Just be in a good mood, open and offensive. That’s what you’re there for, you have to take advantage of the opportunity. The live shows and app get viewers even more involved, so there’s no time to waste as Islanders will immediately be confronted with how popular they are. That’s good for our show because they have to go full throttle right from the start. Otherwise they have to be able to take criticism so they can get used to what life is like as a celebrity (laughs).
Aside from your celebrity status, could you imagine taking part in a dating format?
Meis: Well, if I didn’t have a past like I have now and no conservative parents and no child, I would absolutely be there. I would flirt myself to death (laughs).
How did you experience filming in the past seasons?
Meis: It’s very intense. There’s a huge team behind it and it’s really extreme, even for me as a presenter, to see how a big village is being built next to the villa, where the show is produced and everyone sits in front of huge screens all day long. Everything is observed, everything is perceived and everything is documented. So it can happen that I get up in the morning and suddenly I get a call from production saying I’m going to the villa in the afternoon. So I always stay on standby and that makes it very exciting because I can watch everything from very close. The Islanders have always really grown on me and I’m really hoping for more great love stories this time. And lots of flirting, a bit of drama and funny games.
Do you have a connection to Greece?
Meis: Absolutely, it’s one of my favorites when it comes to vacation and in my opinion it’s the flirtiest, most romantic country ever. I had my best flirtations there.
Was flirting on the agenda for your summer?
Meis: I was definitely a bit flirty, laughed or waved or had a drink. But real dating hasn’t happened yet. I don’t think that’s bad either. I am very happy and am now looking forward to being able to experience love up close on “Love Island”. Of course, it can happen every day that I meet someone. But so far no one has been exciting enough for me personally to say that it goes beyond a drink, a meal or five minutes of conversation.
How can you be convinced?
Meis: You really have to catch me. I’m very impulsive, that’s just my character. I can suddenly find someone really great, but it can also go away very quickly. It doesn’t get any easier, but I’m trying to take it easier than before. And when it comes to dates, they have to take place in a private atmosphere and ideally in a dream setting. So far I’ve always been lucky with what was organized for me, I haven’t had any horror dates yet (laughs).
How did you otherwise spend your summer?
Meis: I had a few nice holidays and was out with friends and Damian. I was also with my parents and visited Holland. It was really a good mix and that’s the nice thing about being single, that I was able to manage it properly and enjoy the time for family, friends and my girls.
After Denmark, Damian now lives in Holland. Have you slowly gotten used to it or is it always difficult to say goodbye?
Meis: It’s difficult every time. Once he’s been with me or with me for three weeks, you get used to it very quickly and then it’s a real shame when he has to leave again. But still, he also has to work, train, I have to work, and then reality is there again. Luckily we can both flip that switch and do what we need to do. He really has it, he gets it from his father and me.
Do you talk about his future together?
Meis: He’ll be 18 next year and he has to find his way. And all I can say is that I’m really a proud mother because he does everything thoughtfully and talks to us a lot, which is all you can ask for as a parent. That you are allowed into the life of your teenage child. And he lets us do that. I am very pleased.