As host of the new reality show FBoy Island, Abbie Chatfield says she is constantly asked one “misogynistic question” that undermines her professionalism and dedication to the role.
“It’s pretty hard to offend me personally in an interview, but there’s a pretty cooked and misogynistic question I keep being asked about my role as host of #FboyIslandAu both privately and in press and I just want to address it once. I can’t believe I even have to do this, but it keeps coming up,” Chatfield wrote in a post on Instagram.
“That question is ‘Were you keen on/did you want to f**k any of the contestants?’ ‘Were you tempted?’ ‘Did you use the show as your own way to meet guys?’
“The answer, clearly, is ‘No.’ As the host of a reality TV format, I would presume that is obvious. It is my job to host the show. No part of me enters that arena expecting a romantic connection.”
In case you haven’t heard, FBoy Island follows three women who are looking for love among a group of 24 men who are invited to an island. Half of these men are self-proclaimed “nice guys” looking for a relationship, and the other half are self proclaimed “FBoys” who are only there for the $150,000 prize money.
The show is expertly handled and hosted by Chatfield, who brings her signature charisma and wit to the role of host, making light of the show’s format in a way that begs you to keep watching.
“I am there to work, to control what is happening on set, and to gain the trust of the contestants and try to make them comfortable, as I have been a contestant myself. Potential love interests isn’t even a thought that crosses my mind for a moment,” Chatfield said.
“To be clear: I am not “resisting” a feeling, it does not exist. I am the host and I hold myself to level of professionalism that, IMO, is very basic: don’t try to/want to f**k contestants??”
Chatfield also said there was a clear power imbalance between herself and the contestants on the show, and to suggest she would pursue any of them romantically is an insult to her professionalism as a host, and the hard work she has put in throughout her career.
As Chatfield rightly pointed out, Osher Günsberg, the host of the Bachelor and the Bachelorette, has never been asked if he is romantically interested in the contestants on the shows he hosts. Why should it be different for Chatfield?
“I’m a young woman who speaks openly about sex,” Chatfield said. “That doesn’t mean I’m some sort of fiend always on the lookout for my next f**k, regardless of where it comes from. I’m a professional, despite my age and gender.”
“I’ve never heard any other host be asked this question. Osher is never asked if he’s been “tempted” by contestants even before he was married. Even typing that sentence feels absurd.
“So, I’m making it clear now. I was not, and will never be so unprofessional to have even an iota of a thought that contestants on a dating show are anything close to a romantic interest. Please. Stop. Asking.”
On her Instagram post, Chatfield was supported by Masterchef host Melissa Leong, who said: “It’s ridiculous that you have to spell it out like that. Being open and articulate about sexuality and being a professional are two separate concepts, end of conversation.”
Meanwhile, Mel Schilling, an expert on Married At First Sight, said: “Bravo Abbie 👏🏼 I’ve been asked this absurd question before too and your response here is perfect. We are professionals who happen to work in the ‘dating industry’ which doesn’t mean we participate in the dating. Well said.”