It’s here, and it’s the last one. I Kissed A Girl returns to BBC Three and iPlayer on Tuesday 23 June, and this series closes the book on the whole I Kissed franchise. Four series of putting queer dating front and centre on British telly, and this one’s the send-off. Dannii Minogue is back on cupid duty, Charley Marlowe is narrating (and, this time, actually setting foot in the Masseria), and ten queer women are heading to that Italian farmhouse to kiss first and ask questions later.
So before the connections form, the situationships brew and the group chat becomes unusable, let’s meet the women bringing the energy this summer.
Imogen, 21, she/her, Manchester
A 5ft 1 proud femme lesbian who happily calls herself a princess, Imogen falls for love bombing but struggles to find someone who can match her energy. She’s drawn to dominant characters but still wants to wrap them round her little finger, and she’s so picky she keeps a running list of icks on her phone. She’s after a “pretty girl in boys clothes,” and after years of men assuming she’s straight, she can’t wait to live her best queer life in the Masseria.
“Viewers will either love me or hate me! I can be quite fiery and I’m known to not really think before I speak which sometimes gets me into trouble but don’t let my attitude fool you I’m a huge cry-baby really. I’m bringing ultimate fem energy, I genuinely don’t think I could get anymore girly if I tried!”
She’s also clear on what being part of it means: “I have always silently struggled to find a place in the community being such a feminine presenting lesbian, I’ve always typically been told I look too ‘straight’ to be a lesbian and it must be a phase. If I could’ve seen someone like myself on the tv growing up I think it would’ve made me feel so much more comfortable coming out.”
Renee, 25, she/her, North London
The joker of the pack and a self-confessed daddy’s girl, proud to have grown up in a large Caribbean family who accept her sexuality. People often read her as a stud because she leans masc, but she’s a stem through and through, switching between full masc and full femme – gold grills always present. Single for a year after a string of relationships (an engagement included), she falls deep and fast, and she falls deep and fast, self-certified ‘gold star lesbian’ who is hoping to meet a “pretty black girl” who won’t dump her for being too short.
“What you can expect from me on the show is a whole bunch of laughter, a whole bunch of drama, a whole bunch of tears, and a whole bunch of emotions – a real good time and a real unforgettable show.”
On the experience itself: “It was really special being able to share our experiences, connect with one another, and build such genuine relationships in that environment.”
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Elise, 24, she/her, Essex
A born-and-bred Essex girl with the gift of the gab, Elise calls herself “a bit of a gent in female form.” She’s a softie who’s put her player days behind her and wants a good old-fashioned romance. Most of her friends are straight – to them she’s “Elise, the lesbian” – so she’s ready to find a queer community of her own in the Masseria. She’s after an edgy femme with a sense of humour, because “I don’t want to tell the jokes all of the time.”
“I couldn’t help but have this overwhelming feeling of being the luckiest person every minute I spent in the Masseria. Coming from a very straight area, to then being surrounded by incredible queer people, it was surreal but in the best way.”
And on Dannii? “My absolute diva! Dannii cannot be faulted, forever the queen of the show.”
Nikita, 24, she/her, Leeds
Adventurous, silly and driven, Nikita recently swapped a corporate finance career for sustainable fashion. Of Indian heritage, she’s queer and falls for the person rather than the gender. She applied looking for adventure, community and “her person,” and she’s a slow-burn dater who likes her space – “I’m a lover girl but a lover girl with boundaries.” She’s after a mix of masc and femme energy, and great eye contact.
“What I loved most about my time on I Kissed a Girl was getting to live my hottest, gayest summer yet! Expect lots of fun, flirty chats and a few ups & downs!”
On why it matters: “I think it’s super important to be that queer representation – especially when all we see on screen is heteronormativity (eye roll).”
Tyra, 24, she/her, Moray, Scotland
Small-town girl Tyra says growing up in the Northeast of Scotland made it hard to find likeminded lesbians, so she’s after both love and a queer community of her own. After one serious relationship and four years single, she admits a talent for falling into situationships with emotionally unavailable women. She’s got a soft spot for a cute brunette with a nose ring and someone she can have deep chats with – ready for something a little less “are we or aren’t we?”
“The highlights for me were being introduced to a new community of queer people, and the way they embraced me and made this wee shy girl from the highlands feel like she finally belonged.”
As for the series: “Viewers can expect tears, tans and teasing, babes! They are in for a rollercoaster this year! Expect the unexpected!”
Ebony, 22, she/her, Newcastle
A Newcastle lass and self-confessed golden retriever, loyal and affectionate with a heart of gold. She’s a proper pub girl who loves her mates and the gym, a huge flirt who’s hoping to put her wild single days behind her and find someone to hike with her four dogs. Green flags? Good communication and a sense of humour to match her cheekiness.
On Dannii: “The mother of the queers, bringing sassy diva energy to the table no questions asked!”
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And on what the show stands for: “We will always have to fight for representation, and I think to be able to showcase so many different queers from different backgrounds is super important to the community as it makes people feel not so different and alone.”
Elisha, 22, she/her, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Welsh sweetheart Elisha grew up in the Valleys feeling like “a gay girl living in a completely straight world.” A self-confessed raging lesbian, she’s tired of being mistaken for straight – even in a gay bar. Often labelled a blonde Barbie, she’s unashamedly nerdy, loves a crime thriller and is studying forensics. The peacemaker of the group, she’s femme for femme and after someone ambitious to share a wardrobe with.
“Being a part of this show wasn’t just about dating. As a girl who is quite introverted and has struggled with anxiety my whole life, going on national television is honestly terrifying, but it’s also something that I will be forever proud of doing.”
On the series: “Expect a season full of emotion, chemistry, chaos, and a lot of personal growth. There’s a lot of laughs, drama, and heartfelt moments, but also a real sense of people discovering themselves and embracing who they are.”
Faye, 24, she/her, Warrington
A fun-loving yapper and big lover girl who puts her flirting down to being a sexy Sagittarius. She’s got no verbal filter and a talent for chaos, and after a year single she’s after a tall, tattooed soft masc who can make her laugh. A creative hippie at heart, she’s often at an open mic or karaoke – just hasn’t found the perfect duet partner yet.
“What’s more liberating than being a big lez on the telly? Lesbians are here, we exist and we matter. The majority of us didn’t have anything like this show to see ourselves reflected when we were discovering who we were, so to be that outlet for a younger queer audience is a huge slay.”
On Dannii: “Not exactly the soft masc I’m looking for but those blue eyes are enough to make me rethink my type! 10/10, no notes for Miss Minogue, the mother of all mothers.”
Ashlea, 25, she/her, Bedford
An out-and-out U-hauler who’s rarely single and now wants her wife for life. She falls hard and fast – she once had an ex’s initials tattooed on her wedding ring finger after a month of dating. She has a big friendship group but no one queer, and admits she doesn’t know what the queer scene even looks like. At 5ft, she reckons all good things come in small packages, and she’s hoping to meet an Ibiza Final Boss to go raving with.
“I loved being around such beautiful and unique people, coming from all different walks of life with our own stories to tell but all coming together as one and making bonds for life.”
On Dannii: “An absolute dream, it felt like she knew us all personally and was sooo invested in us!! She was serving motherrrr for sure.”
Lindsey, 25, she/her, Buckinghamshire
No Insta embed for Lindsey, sorry – her Instagram’s set to private, and we respect the mystery.
A dom femme who loves to command a room and refuses to stick to one aesthetic. She’s never been in love and has had a tumultuous relationship with the apps, preferring to meet in real life. Single for three years, she’s ready for her lover girl era – she doesn’t struggle to meet people, it’s the keeping hold of them that’s hard. She dates any gender and loves a tall, masc-presenting cutie with femme energy.
“I’m an enigma not to be understood but to be experienced. Viewers can expect shenanigans, mess, lesbian chaos and a lot of laughs along the way.”
And on representation: “I’m proud to represent the queer black femmes in the UK who aren’t often highlighted or celebrated the way they should be. I’m proud to represent Côte d’Ivoire. And I’m honoured that I was given the platform to do that on this show.”
I Kissed A Girl lands on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday 23 June, with new episodes following every Tuesday.
Nonchalant x
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This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
