As Love Island is rocked by claims of toxic masculinity, one man has been seen to rise above the villa’s sexist double standards.
Deji Adeniyi, one of six lads brought in to turn heads in Casa Amor, has won over viewers with his sweet nature and for sticking up for the girls.
Pal Jay-Sim says being a gentleman and showing respect to women is exactly the kind of man Deji is.
He says: “From what I’ve seen, I’d say he’s just being himself. Everything so far is what I’ve expected from him.
“He’s been true to himself, and his calm but funny character has been shown on the show. As far as I’ve seen, people see him as respectful.”
Musician and producer Jay-Sim, whose full name is Jordan Simbarashe, has been pals with Deji for eight years.
And he says he has been there for the 25-year-old account manager when he has had his heart broken in the past – and he hopes his friend now finds true love in the villa.
Jay-Sim says: “Like a lot of people, you have situations and relationships in the past that have hurt you… and that can cause you to want to avoid being hurt again.
“But Deji always seems to have an open mind about settling down and just has to be with the right person.”
In Friday night’s recoupling, Deji was picked by new bombshell Lacey Edwards – after the pair had shared a kiss on a picnic date soon after her arrival this week.
During the date Dancer Lacey, 25, told Deji they would be “really good together” before recalling a brief peck she had given him the night before during a game of Truth or Dare.
Lacey asked him: “Are you upset I didn’t kiss you properly last night?” then explained, “I did have a red lip on.”
Deji responded: “You can make up for it though… you can redeem yourself from last night” – prompting the pair to lean in for a 16-second smooch.
So does Jay-Sim think she could be the one? He admits: “The two looked like they got on well and had some banter, which is important to Deji.
“As he said on the show, ‘If the vibes don’t bang, we can’t hang’. I think vibe and personality is a big thing in terms of who he’ll settle down with.”
Before going on the show, Deji said he hoped to find long-term love, explaining that he decided to apply because “my sex life is amazing but my love life is awful”. He said: “I’m the master of failed talking stages. So one night I decided to apply for Love Island. Now I’m here!”
Jay-Sim admits he is glad the public are seeing the fun side of his pal. He says: “My favourite moments are his random dancing highlights and his facial expressions when it’s awkward around him.
“You know when something awkward happens and you have that friend you shouldn’t look at because you’ll burst out laughing?
“That’s us. He doesn’t have that person to look at in there, so he’ll do it to himself or towards the camera.”
Backing Deji all the way, Jay-Sim smiles: “Just keep doing what you’re doing my boy!”
