The cast of BBC's I Kissed a Girl season 2 have defiantly declared that 'you cannot cancel lesbians' after the network axed the show due to 'funding challenges', making this season the final one. In an interview with Metro, the 10 contestants spoke passionately about the show's cancellation and its impact on LGBTQ+ representation.
Cast Reacts to Cancellation
Imogen, 21, led the charge, stating: 'You cannot cancel lesbians.' Tyra, 24, added: 'You can't cancel people. You can't cancel their stories.' Ebony, 22, affirmed: 'This whole cancelling thing, just pushes us to be more loud and proud. We won't go down without a fight.'
Faye, 24, expressed the community's anger: 'Everyone was angry because everyone loves the show, and it's like something is being ripped away from us. There's no queer representation on TV, especially not in the lesbian community, really, unless it's fetishised femme for femme.'
Importance of Representation
The series, which alternates with I Kissed a Boy, was the first gay dating show in the UK, premiering in 2023. Faye noted that had it been on screen when she was younger, 'I'd probably have come out a lot earlier. I mean, I wouldn't have had to Google girls kissing girls.' Elise, 24, who came out at age nine, reflected: 'To have been able to put something on when I was younger, and go: "That's what I'm going to be like when I grow up." It would've been nice.' Renee, 25, simply called it 'the best entertainment.'
Behind the Scenes
Each season begins with five couples, matched by Dannii Minogue, meeting for the first time with a kiss. Over nine episodes, they face romantic tests, friendship challenges, and 'kiss-offs' to reach the final. Renee described it as the 'lesbian Olympics': 'It's a high stress situation, it's very intense. Very competitive.' Tyra called it 'survival of the fittest.'
Addressing Stereotypes
The show delves into nuances often overlooked. Renee, after a difficult scene, asked: 'Where's the care and compassion to take care of my feelings as a woman? I feel like a lot of masculine women don't get that grace.' She added: 'At the end of the day, we're just women. Your label doesn't excuse you from any sort of accountability or responsibility for how you treat someone you're being intimate with.'
Personal Growth
The cast shared lessons learned. Elise said: 'I am very emotional. I could have handled myself better.' Renee noted: 'I learnt how to deal with rejection. We all have a social circle, but I was in a new circle where maybe I wasn't the top of the food chain. It's very humbling and I'm very grateful for it.'
Final Season
Despite the cancellation, Imogen declared: 'We just need to go out with a bang,' with Ebony adding: 'And just continue the bang, for the rest of time.' Episodes 1-4 of I Kissed a Girl season 2 are available on BBC iPlayer, with new episodes dropping Tuesdays.
