Content Warning: The following article touches on the topic of domestic violence and abuse which may be triggering for some readers.
Five years ago, Abbie Chatfield attempted, unsuccessfully, to find love on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor. While she failed to win the astrophysicist’s heart, she did manage to kickstart what has been a jam-packed career. And her latest project is a very full-circle moment as she tries to help other young women find love!
Yep, the It’s A Lot podcast host has teamed up with streaming platform Binge to host their original reality television series, FBOY Island.
The reality series follows three Australian women as they navigate the dating pool to uncover who are the “Nice Guys” looking for love and who are the “FBoys” only there to play the game and take home the cash prize. And now, there’s a second season on screens.
Abbie is “thrilled” to return to host the series, saying: “FBOY Island Australia flips traditional dating formats on its head and amongst all of jokes, laughter and questionable behaviour it’s a show that challenges gender dynamics and encourages men to be accountable for their bad behaviour.”
So… where can you watch it? Who is the cast? And why was there drama surrounding FBOY Island? Scroll on for everything we know.
When does FBOY Island premiere?
FBOY Island Australia season one is available to watch now on Binge with all 10 episodes, so you’re going to want to sign up here for a 7-day free trial to watch it.
As for season two, the nine-part season returns on August 5 on the streaming service.
Who is the cast of FBOY Island?
Season one saw Molly O’Halloran, Ziara Rae and Sophie Blackley navigate the dating pool together, with both Molly and Ziara leaving the show having formed a genuine connection with their winning love interest.
Both couples are still in committed long-term relationships, but more on that here.
As for season two, we’ll see three new women attempt to find love, with 28-year-old Krystal Thomas, 27-year-old Ally Woodfall and 26-year-old Nicole Mitrov starring this year.
Where to watch FBOY Island?
You can tune in to the reality series on Binge, live and on-demand with a 7-day free trial. Start your free trial here.
Why was there controversy about FBOY Island?
You might want to grab a snack for this one.
Basically, it all started after Abbie called out fellow former Bachelor star Brittany Hockley for partaking in “slut-shaming” comments towards her while on the radio with Kyle Sandilands (more on that here). Brittany then released a statement which didn’t sit well with Abbie, who criticised the podcast host’s “internalised misogyny”.
Then, Brittany’s close friend, and co-host of the podcast Life Uncut, Laura Byrne chimed in to defend her friend and take aim at Abbie.
“Talks about dismantling the patriarchy,” Laura wrote on Instagram. “[But] announces that they are hosting F-Boy Island. A show that encourages men to lie to women and manipulate their emotions in order to win a cash prize.”
“That is enough internet for me today,” Laura added, before posting: “The absolute hypocrisy.”
She continued: “For clarity, F-Boy Island is a series that already exists in the US. The New Zealand franchise cast a man (because they didn’t do background checks) who suffocated a woman and lured her into his house to have sex with her. It doesn’t matter this is the AU version, it is a franchise I would never associate myself with – as a feminist.”
Abbie was quick to address the situation on her own stories, saying: “There are so many elements of the show that do not do that (encourage men to lie to women) – I can’t say what they are because they are surprises. But I can tell you, it is not that.
“I would not sign up for the show if that was the premise of the show, Laura. So I think you need to maybe address what your co-host did rather than trying to retaliate in this very passive aggressive weird way – at least tag me babe.”
She continued: “I can guarantee that this show is not about that. The FBoys will be in trouble from me and they will get what they deserve and also, hopefully, we will reform some FBoys as they have in the U.S. series multiple times.
Abbie then spoke to her followers, saying: “Don’t let the name fool you and don’t let someone who’s trying to retaliate fool you as well.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website.
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