- Leandie du Randt is the host of the first-ever season of Love Island SA.
- In this Q&A, the actor talks about what to expect from the show.
- The reality dating show debuts Sunday, 28 February on M-Net (DStv 101) at 20:00 with a special 90-minute episode.
Sunday nights on M-Net are about to steam up the screen as Love Island SA premieres on 28 February.
A group of Islanders – men and women - will set out to find true love, and at the same time, try to bag R1 million in prize money.
On this journey to finding love is host Leandie du Randt, who will introduce the show's twists, plots and matchups, and voice-over artist Warren Robertson.
In this Q&A with Leandie, she talks about what to expect from the reality dating show and stays mum on the Islanders.
Before signing on to host the show, did you watch the show's international versions? What did you think about it?
My friends were religious supporters and always talked about this entertaining show, Love Island! So they introduced me to it and kept me updated if I missed something important.
It's the first season of the local version; what are you most excited about?
I'm excited for South Africans to be introduced to the local version of this entertaining show for the first time. I'm so grateful to be the host of this very popular and well-produced show. I am also looking forward to seeing what our multicultural and fun South African citizens will be bringing to the show while being stuck in a villa together for six weeks.
Have you seen or met any of the Islanders? And what were your impressions?
My lips are sealed! All I can say is get ready to be entertained.
South Africans can be very conservative. How do you hope viewers will receive the show?
That is actually one thing that I am interested in seeing, especially with the more conservative viewers. Luckily these are more modern times, and I think that they are going to be surprised with how easily they will start buying into these Islanders' lives and stories. Eventually, the viewers will start rooting for them to really find love and their perfect match that will stand the test of time.
Over the years, reality dating shows have become very popular. What do you think is the secret ingredient in dating shows that make people addicted to them?
For one, I think that people just love, love! If we don't look for it in real life, we watch movies about it or listen to songs about it. So if you can watch a show where real-life people start falling in love and go through ups and downs getting to know each other, we inevitably get hooked as most of us can relate to that and the rest aspire to it. I think we also like escaping from our own lives after a hard day's work and to-do lists. So, people enjoy watching something where they don't have to think too hard but can just relax and have a laugh or two.
Watch the special 90-minute episode of Love Island South Africa on Sunday, 28 February at 20:00 on M-Net (DStv 101)