Love Island: All Stars viewers are questioning Shaq Muhammad’s behavior after he became very upset with Sean Stone. This happened when Sean pursued a connection with Belle Hassan, whom Shaq also liked. Fans watching at home found Shaq’s strong reaction confusing, as he seemed to feel betrayed by another contestant for doing exactly what the show is aboutโexploring new romantic possibilities.
The situation became more intense during a recent recoupling ceremony. Despite Shaq’s interest in her, Belle made the decision to couple up with Sean. Shaq, who had previously ended things with Helena Ford to focus on Belle, was left single after this choice. He later told Belle he would give her “space” but made it clear he saw himself as a first choice, not a backup option.
Shaq’s emotional response leaves Belle and fans in tears
The fallout from the recoupling was emotional for everyone involved. In a private chat after Belle chose Sean, Shaq became tearful. He told Belle, โI think Iโm gonna just give you a little bit of spaceโ and firmly stated, โIโm no oneโs second option.โ. He admitted the situation showed him how much he liked her, saying, โToday has shown me a lot, maybe I like you more than I thoughtโฆ clearly I do.โ.
Belle was also seen crying, both during the conversation and afterward in the Beach Hut. She explained she followed her heart but felt bad about hurting Shaq. Meanwhile, Helena Ford, whom Shaq had recently parted ways with, was also shown breaking down in tears, telling friends โThis always happens,โ referencing a similar love triangle from her past season.
Fan reaction to Shaq’s stance was mixed. Some viewers sympathized with his hurt feelings. However, many others online called his reaction over the top. A common sentiment on social media was that Shaq’s anger at Sean was misplaced. One fan pointed out, โShaq has no reason to be mad at all. Just because he chose to end it with Helena and wouldn’t be kissing anyone else doesn’t mean that is what Belle decided she wanted to do.โ. Others noted it was frustrating to see Sean apologize for getting to know someone, which is the core premise of the show.
Sean’s role and fan observations of his demeanor
While Shaq’s behavior drew criticism, Sean Stone also found himself under viewer scrutiny, but for different reasons. After coupling up with Belle, Sean was confronted by her when she learned he had told another islander he initially wished Helena had picked him. In a tense conversation, Sean admitted he was still interested in Helena and also in new bombshell Samie Elishi.
Fans watching noticed Sean’s body language during this chat with Belle. Many took to social media to say he looked nervous or even “terrified” of her reaction, noting he struggled to maintain eye contact. Comments included, โSean s**g it because he knows Belle can kick off bigger than she did with him!โ and โHe canโt even look at her.โ. Some viewers joked that Sean must not have seen Belle’s original season, where she was known for being strong-willed and from a tough London background.
Despite this shaky start, some fans believe Sean is showing a more mature side on All Stars compared to his original season. He spoke to Belle about his past breakup with Matilda Draper, explaining it helped him become more grounded in what he wants. This led some viewers on Instagram to call it a โmaturity glow-up.โ.
A wider villa conflict and accusations of unfair treatment
The tension between Shaq and Sean is part of a larger web of villa drama. Bombshell Scott van-der-Sluis has been a vocal critic of Sean’s actions. In a challenge, Scott directly called out Sean’s behavior toward Shaq, labeling it โsnakey,โ which left Sean feeling humiliated and close to tears. Scott later explained his harsh entrance was because he disliked watching Sean on TV during his original season.
However, the most serious criticism from viewers has been directed at how another islander, Whitney Adebayo, was treated during a group game. A detailed report from Glamour magazine argues that Whitney, a Black woman, was subjected to microaggressions and was unfairly labeled as “aggressive” or “shouting” when she simply defended herself or a friend. The article describes an incident where Shaq became angry with Whitney and accused her of shouting at another male islander, which she calmly denied.
This analysis resonated with many fans and past islanders. Season five winner Amber Gill commented on the situation, saying, โEveryone is allowed to have an opinion, and this girl [Whitney] puts her two cents in and everyoneโs jumping on top of her, attacking her.โ. The discussion highlights ongoing conversations about race and perception within the villa.
The history behind Shaq’s search for love
For Shaq, this All Stars journey comes after a highly publicized past relationship. On his original season, Season 9 in early 2023, he coupled up with Tanya Manhenga on day one. Their relationship was a major story, with them being the first couple of the season to say “I love you”. They survived a crisis during “Casa Amor” when Tanya briefly coupled up with someone else, and they ultimately finished in fourth place.
After the show, Shaq and Tanya moved in together and seemed serious, even sparking engagement rumors. However, they broke up in the summer of 2024. Reports suggested the split was related to Shaq’s behavior on a holiday to Miami, where he received a lap dance. On All Stars, Shaq admitted this incident to Belle, saying he fought for the relationship afterward but it ultimately ended.
Before entering the All Stars villa, Shaq stated his goal clearly: โLast time I did find love but it didn’t work out. This time round, I need to find a wife and give my mum some grandchildren!โ. This context makes his intense reaction to Belle and Sean’s connection more understandable to some, as he may feel added pressure to make a successful match this time.
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