Love Island UK star Sam mocked for hearing aid use, prompting deaf influencer to issue emotional plea
Moments after entering the Love Island villa this week, deaf contestant Sam Workman bravely opened up about his hearing aid use.
What followed on social media was an onslaught of cruel remarks and mockery.
Some trolls joked about 25-year-old Sam receiving tips from producers through his earpieces, slamming the series as 'rigged', while others accused him of 'making everything about his hearing aids'.
A number of X users even suggested the Dudley, West Midlands, islander hadn't been receiving the same female attention as his male co-stars due to his hearing devices 'subconsciously' unnerving the cast.
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"I feel like he hasn’t been given a chance, and he might be having a harder time because he’s deaf," another agreed.
According to one deaf influencer, however, even comments disguised as concern for electrician Sam are a form of backhanded ableism that many disabled people are forced to endure every day.
Charlotte Webb, a deaf activist and businesswoman, told Tyla: "As a deaf person myself, it’s been really disappointing to see some of the comments directed at Sam since entering the Love Island villa.
"Growing up, I rarely saw people like me represented on mainstream TV. I didn’t see deaf people on dating shows, in the media, or simply being visible in the same way as everyone else."
She added: "When you don’t see people like yourself represented, it can make you feel like you’re the exception rather than part of everyday life."
Speaking to trolls directly, she added: "To those criticising Sam because of his disability, I’d encourage them to ask themselves why. Disabled people deserve the same opportunities to date, fall in love, have fun and be visible as anyone else.
"Sam should be judged on who he is as a person, not on assumptions people make about his disability."
Having been deaf since childhood, Webb co-founded her very own talent agency, Filterless, which aims to connect disabled creators and media personalities with brands, putting diversity and representation at the forefront.
The online star continued: "That’s one of the reasons I co-founded Filterless. We’re passionate about seeing more disabled people represented across media, advertising and entertainment because visibility matters.
"People like Sam shouldn’t be seen as unusual for being on a show like Love Island; they should be seen as normal. The more representation we see, the more younger disabled people can grow up knowing they’re not rare, they’re not alone, and that there is a place for them in every part of society."
She lastly admitted: "If I’d seen more people like me on TV growing up, it would have made a huge difference."
Prior to entering the villa, Sam told Tyla about his hearing aid use, revealing he first received them at four years old.
"They are really a big part of who I am," the ITV star continued. "I would say that it's helped me with confidence going through school. Obviously, you get people who will always say things.
"I always say that if I were to get them at this age now, then I would feel very self-conscious about them. But it really gave me tough skin."
Sam continued: "It would be nice for people. I know there are a lot of people who have them and don't want to wear them because they're maybe self-conscious about them.
"I should look at me on TV and think I can wear them and then not be embarrassed about anything."
Topics: Love Island, ITV, Entertainment, Reality TV, Celebrity
Rhianna Benson