DIVA chats to this Irish footballer about her time in the Masseria
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY BBC / TWO FOUR
I Kissed A Girl (IKAG) summer has officially started! If you’re like us, then you’ve already watched all the episodes currently out, followed the cast and maybe developed a parasocial relationship with this year’s housekeeper, Flavia.
While 10 singletons originally headed to the Masseria to find true love with just one kiss, they quickly had to make space for three new arrivals. And let’s just say, they all caused quite a stir. Irish heartthrob Blessing had heads turning when she entered the Masseria, and quickly caught the eye of Lindsey.
Following the first four episodes dropped this week, we caught up with Blessing to find out more about her time in the Masseria.
Why did you want to go on IKAG?
During the week of the application process, I had seen everyone on TikTok posting that they were applying for IKAG. My friend from America sent me the application and told me to do it. I didn’t think I would get picked!
What was it like going into the Masseria as a new arrival?
As an athlete, I have experience coming into high-stakes [environments] and rising above! I was thinking, “This is a big opportunity, just make the most of it.” Coming in with my buddies, Almayra and Kayleigh, made it so much easier. Coming in as a new arrival, I was ready to shake things up and just go after what I wanted.
What did you learn about yourself on the show?
Two major things I battled with on the show were being vulnerable and my relationship with physical touch. I’m not used to crying in front of people. It was daunting at first because I really had to wear my heart on my sleeve in front of the world. I had to learn along the way that it’s powerful to be vulnerable, because that’s where the real you shines.
Why is the representation on IKAG so important?
Growing up as a queer person, you really seek comfort. I feel like it can be such an isolating experience, battling what you’re feeling on the inside. When you see other people who have gone through that process themselves, and they’ve arrived at who they are confidently, it can be so fulfilling to see them do it so naturally. Unless you see it, you can’t really be it or feel the courage to go and do it. It’s an amazing feeling to be a Black masculine lesbian from Ireland on TV because it’s something that I never saw growing up.
There is so much good masc representation this year. Could you tell us a bit about your own personal style journey?
All my life, I’ve been a tomboy. I’ve always dressed in tracksuits as an athlete. It wasn’t until I went to America [for college] that I started to draw influence from the fashion scene over there. It was really about finding new patterns, new prints, and statement pieces. All the mascs on the show have their own distinct style. We were swapping clothes the whole series! Growing up, we had to find our own style alone. On the show, embracing each other’s style together was an amazing feeling. I’ve never been happier with how I represent myself.
What would your younger self have felt if you’d had this show growing up?
I would have loved it! It would have done wonders for me. It’s a really important show for young people. If my younger self could have seen me on TV, I would have thought I was the coolest person ever. Right now, in my adult life, I live for my younger self. My younger self was too shy, too scared, too meek. Adult me wants younger me to feel like they belong. If I saw myself on TV as a child, I would have felt like I belonged.
Four episodes of IKAG are available on BBC iPlayer now. Following this, two brand-new episodes will be available every Tuesday at 6 am on iPlayer and 9 pm on BBC Three.
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