Table of Contents
Isan Elba Calls Love Island a “Humiliation Ritual” After Turning Down Show Offers
Isan Elba, Sir Idris Elba’s daughter, has shared that she has declined multiple offers to be on Love Island and has called the ITV2 dating series a “humiliation ritual”.
The 24-year-old— the Luther actor and his former wife, Hanne Norgaard’s daughter—confessed that she has no love for the show as she describes herself as a “man hater” and thinks that the reality program would not be a fruitful career move for her.
“It’s been a continuous pattern where I have been asked to be on Love Island for the past couple of years,” Isan said. “They even offered to save me the queue and take me straight to the final interview. That’s the exact reason why I would never go on Love Island.”
She even slammed the show’s notorious games and tasks, saying, “Those challenges are a humiliation ritual. There’s absolutely no way I could be almost naked, making out with different people in front of millions of viewers… I am such an awkward person that I can’t even kiss someone on camera, let alone give lap dances.”
Isan Elba Prioritizes a Career in Production Over Reality TV
Isan Elba clarified more about her choice not to appear on Love Island, mentioning that it is a matter of her personality and how she currently sees dating.
“Number two, I’m a man hater,” she said jokingly. “The way things are with the men on that show, there is no way that I would be putting up with their stuff. I would be cursing and shouting at everybody, and that is not good for the brand. You need a very specific type of personality to be able to go on that show.”
As she is consciously staying away from reality TV, Isan is happy to carry on her father’s legacy in the entertainment industry—only she is planning to be behind the camera. During an interview with Tatler in 2023, she revealed that she was planning on becoming a producer.
“I am going to be a producer. I literally grew up on film sets and I have been exposed to that all my life so it was more or less obvious,” she told the magazine. “When I was very little I thought I wanted to be a vet, but once I figured out what my parents did—and you know, they are my heroes—I realised that I actually want to be in the film industry.”
Besides Isan, Idris Elba has two more sons from different relationships: Riaze Foster, 32, and Winston, 11.
Isan Elba Reacts to Her Father Being Named “Sexiest Man Alive” and Their Working Relationship
Isan Elba has expressed her feelings about her father, Idris Elba, being voted People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2018.
“It is [cringe]. I try to ignore it. Sometimes I have nightmares about it and I wake up in cold sweats,” she joked.
While jokingly teasing her father, Isan has also benefited greatly from her daddy’s guidance in the professional sphere. “He has always taught me the importance of acknowledging everyone around you because you never know who you are going to meet. They could be your next best friend!” she revealed.
Nevertheless, their professional relationship has had its ups and downs. Idris disclosed that Isan refused to talk to him for three weeks after she was not cast in his 2022 film Beast.
The star told that it was producer Will Packer who had to tell her that she was not cast as his daughter in the film. On The Breakfast Club, Idris admitted that despite their real-life father-daughter relationship, the chemistry between them “wasn’t right” for the film.
Idris Elba Reveals Why Chemistry Was a Problem for the Film Role His Daughter Wanted
Idris Elba has revealed more reasons why his daughter, Isan, was not cast in his film Beast—although she had auditioned for it.
“The relationship in the film and the relationship between my daughter was… the chemistry wasn’t right for the film. Strange, right?” Idris said.
He further shared that Isan remained silent for about three weeks after she found out through the producer Will Packer that she hadn’t been given the part. Packer said that he called Isan personally because he had known her for years.
“When I called, I spoke with her, and I have known her for a very long time… I am like, ‘Uncle Will,’” Packer said. Moreover, he mentioned that Idris was hard on Isan during the auditions and that the final call had to be what was best for the movie.
Packer said that Isan was “very good” and was quite close to getting the role.
Idris then explained that they forgave the disappointment and complimented Isan on how she handled it. “She gave up graciously and we got through that,” he confirmed while also mentioning that he was glad she went to the premiere even though she was not cast.
