Winter Love Island fans have accused Shaq Muhammad of being insecure due to his recent behavior. Shaq started his journey as one of the original Islanders in the South African villa of Winter Love Island 2023. The season started frantically, with many Islanders forming quick connections, and some even got caught in complicated love triangles.
Meanwhile, Shaq mostly steered clear of all the drama in the villa and quickly settled into what appeared to be a stable relationship with Tanya Manhenga. Away from his relationship with Tanya, the 24-year-old airport security was a calming presence in the villa. Shaq also won many fans over due to his positive attitude and penchant for always calling out bad behavior in the villa. Fans particularly praised Shaq after he called out Ron Hall over his poor treatment of Lana Jenkins earlier in the season. He also called out his villa buddy Tom Clare when he felt he stepped out of line with the girls in the villa.
At some point, Shaq and Tanya seemed to be coasting to the finals — but that was until Casa Amor “happened” to their relationship. Tanya’s betrayal during Casa Amor saw the couple’s popularity take a massive hit. On March 1’s double elimination episode, reality set in for Shaq and Tanya after they were named as one the couples with the least votes. Since surviving the double dumping, Shaq’s behavior has been quite unbecoming, and many of the show’s fans are now accusing him of being insecure.
Shaq’s Comment on Ron and Lana’s Relationship
Following the double eviction that saw Olivia, Maxwell, Claudia, and Keanan leave the South African villa, Shaq has been quite antagonistic toward some other couples still on the show. Shaq has been especially critical of Ron and Lana’s relationship in the last few days. Recently, he raised eyebrows when he claimed that Ron only asked Lana to be his girlfriend because everyone likes her. Shaq’s statement left Winter Love Island viewers disappointed in him, with many of them taking to Reddit to lash out at the airport security. One of the Redditors wrote:
“I wonder if being in the bottom 4 has rattled Shaq more than he’s letting on, and he’s throwing accusations at other couples now.”
Many fans agreed that Shaq was insecure and backed up their claims by pointing out how he has been unable to draw boundaries in his relationship with Tanya despite her Casa Amor betrayal. Another group of fans slammed Shaq for being a bad friend. They highlighted how he had recently been one of the biggest supporters of Ron and Lana’s relationship and wondered what had suddenly changed.
While commenting, one user said:
“What’s crazy is Shaq is meant to be Ron and Lana’s closest friend in there. He was the happiest for them every step of the way but suddenly says this?”
Fans Think Eviction Fears Rattled Shaq
Shaq was one of the calmest characters on Winter Love Island for large parts of the season. Even when Tanya returned to the villa with Casa Amor boy Martin Akinola, Shaq kept his emotions in check. However, since he survived eviction only by the whiskers, he has appeared frantic. Winter Love Island Fans are beginning to see a new side to Shaq and feel he is venting his frustrations about the public voting for other couples in the villa.
One Redditor noted:
“I think Tanya and Shaq are equally rattled by being in the bottom but are projecting it in different ways. (ie. Shaq throwing daggers at secure/safe couples like Ron & Lana, and Tanya taking zero accountability/thinking it has something to do with Martin).”
Another user agreed:
“He can say what he wants to, but being in the bottom rattled him. And taking it out on the wrong people.”
Although Shaq and Tanya spent much time emphasizing how they were not bothered about the voting, fans feel it is quite the opposite. However, the show’s viewers think the two have expressed their insecurities differently. Despite the backlash, some fans were more empathetic to Shaq’s feelings. While putting all the blame on Tanya, one particular fan explained:
“It has to hurt because they were safe prior to casa, but now after, they aren’t. The thing is, people didn’t turn on Shaq or think Martin was the better man. They are more upset with Tanya.”
The results of public voting most times come as a surprise to contestants, so Shaq’s reaction is not out of place. However, fans will like to see him return to his old self and put up a good fight to stay in the game while he still has the chance.
