When Virgin Island first aired last summer, it sparked controversy, with critics calling it 'exploitative', a 'public health danger', and 'a new low for Channel 4'. But for 26-year-old virgin Marianne, the show represented hope. 'When I watched it, I said, "Oh my god, this is something that could really help,"' she tells Metro.
Six months later, Marianne found herself on a Croatian island, being guided by world-leading sexologists Celeste Hirschman and Dr Danielle Harel. Their unconventional methods have drawn Ofcom complaints, but for Marianne, the experience was transformative. Each day presented new challenges: workshops where she confronted her deepest fears about erotica and desire, from genital fondling to re-enacting the Kama Sutra.
The show is surprisingly heartwarming, and the methods clearly work. Holly Stark, a participant from season one, is now pregnant 11 months after her series aired. Marianne insists she is a completely reformed woman after a month of immersion. 'It was amazing, you really activate a different part of your brain,' she says. 'You just realise how long you've gone without actually listening to your body.'
A Journey Through Childhood Trauma
Growing up in South Africa, Marianne was one of only three mixed-race pupils in her school. This had a lasting impact on her relationship with sex. 'Obviously, there's racism everywhere, but the racism in South Africa is very in your face. No one wanted to date mixed-race people; it was not a thing. I wasn't black enough, I wasn't white enough, I didn't know who I was.'
She moved to London hoping for a fresh start, but 'I just found the same thing. People just wanted me as a token.' On the island, she was the only person of colour in the cast. Production assured her that others had been cast but dropped out last minute. 'I suddenly felt like I was being surveyed. I got back to my childhood.'
Despite the isolation, Marianne stayed for herself and her twin sister, who shares similar traumas. 'My twin has the same... things. She also found that me on the show has helped her. She was like, "You have to tell me everything, take all the tight notes." That's helped her with the shame aspect.'
Life After the Island
Six months after filming, Marianne's life is transformed. 'I've been on a couple dates, often it's been really nice, and I've felt way less anxiety. It's been such a great peace of mind.' She encourages others to listen to their bodies and seek safe environments for sexual exploration.
Virgin Island airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 9pm on Channel 4 and is available to stream online.
