Did he really gaslight Alexandra?
Last night’s breakup on Love Island was one of the most interesting we’ve seen this series.
Alex and Alexandra might never have been the perfect match but watching them split was still sad, not least because of how inevitable it felt after the pair grew more and more distant over the past few episodes.
It was also interesting given that they both had different takes on why their relationship went the way it did.
Alex maintained that he was honest about how he felt but Alexandra said she thought he’d been lying the whole time they were together, even when the lie detector test revealed the truth.
Oh hell. That didn’t go down well! Is it all over for Alex and Alexandra?! ? #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/94jTL9j6vE
— Love Island (@LoveIsland) July 26, 2018
Viewers have been taking to Twitter to applaud how Alexandra carried herself during their conversation – and to accuse Dr Alex of trying to gaslight her.
Gaslighting refers to when one partner in a relationship manipulates the other so that they question their own perception and memory of reality.
Alex is a master manipulator, look at the way he’s trying to gaslight her #loveisland
— Danielle?? (@DaniCocoa) July 26, 2018
It’s funny because Alex was acting entitled when other girls said they weren’t feeling him.
Now he’s trying to gaslight Alexandra.#LoveIsland— Elizabeth ∆ (@ButWhyLiz) July 26, 2018
Alex is such a waste ; how he has managed to confidently accumulate and feed so many lies, attempt to gaslight Alexandra by saying “ YoUr MoVinG tO FaSt” and exert nothing but indecisiveness in his relationship.
ALL WHILST STAYING IN THE VILLA I DON’T KNOW— Childish Cindino ???✨ (@cindyluta) July 26, 2018
Alex tried to gaslight her and she was having none of it, you better stand in your truth Alexandra you flame you??? #loveisland
— SatinBonnet (@LeloNaturally) July 26, 2018
You might remember that it’s the same kind of behaviour that former Islander Adam Collard was called out for earlier in the series.
His treatment of fellow contestant Rosie Williams displayed “clear warning signs” of gaslighting and emotional abuse, said Women’s Aid chief executive Katie Ghose last month.
“In a relationship, a partner questioning your memory of events, trivialising your thoughts or feelings, and turning things around to blame you can be part of a pattern of gaslighting and emotional abuse.”
To accuse someone of manipulation or even emotional abuse is a big deal – do you reckon Alex did gaslight Alexandra?
