THE STARS of Virgin Island have hit back as surrogates who helped 12 adults have sex for the first time were slammed.
The Channel 4 reality show follows 12 adult virgins as they embarked on a unique journey of self discovery.
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On the new show Virgin Island, the group – who are all aged between 22 and 30-years-old – travel to a luxury island in the Mediterranean to learn more about intimacy.
All the contributors will be tested in ways that they never have been before as they see if they can overcome the emotional fears that hold them back.
A range of approaches will be used on screen, which will include both group sessions as well as surrogate partner therapy.
The latter technique involves a certified surrogate partner who will help one of the contestants in cultivating meaningful connections in a supportive and safe environment.
READ MORE ON VIRGIN ISLAND
Meanwhile, Sexologists Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman – who co-founded the Somatica Institute – are also on hand to help the group of 12 lose their virginity on-camera.
The duo are the leading faces of the programme and they insisted that the show will help to change perceptions of how sex is shown on TV,
Celeste told Mail Online: “I don’t know if there’s too much, but the quality of sex on television is abysmal.
“It’s like three kisses up against the wall, pulling off the pants, sticking it in, and then it’s over.’
She wants to help create a ‘more realistic’ perception of intimacy that hasn’t been shown on-screen.
The expert continued: “So I feel like if they portrayed sex that was more realistic, more connected, more at a pace that is like what people actually do, then it might be a boon to have that much sex on television,’ Celeste explained.
“But if it’s just this c*** sex, then, yeah, I think it’s it’s not helpful at all. In fact, it’s quite harmful. It creates expectations that are ridiculous.”
Her co-star Dr Danielle was in agreement as she explained: “If you ask me, what’s better to see so much violence on TV or sex, I’ll choose sex any minute, especially if it’s shown in a much more realistic and connected way.”
Kat Slade and Andre Lazarus are the two trained surrogate partners who are tasked with helping the group tackle their issues around intimacy.
Celeste described the relationship between the pairing with the contestants as ‘authentic’ as she explained that it is a reflection on what would happen with real relationships.
The quality of sex on television is abysmal.
Sexologist, Celeste Hirschman
She said: “It is really an authentic relationship, so one thing that can happen in a relationship is that someone has performance problems, and so they would just communicate about it and say, ‘oh, you know, something’s not working here. Let’s take a break. Let’s try again.’
“That authenticity is what actually prepares people to have real relationships out in the world.”
She continued: “So it’s not just like trying to force something and a lot of times surrogates do work with people who have pretty significant dysfunctions, and so they need to work with those kinds of things, both in their clients and if it comes up in themselves as well.
“There’s a ‘triadic’ relationship between the client, surrogate and a separate therapist to help tackle issues, including if the client develops feelings.Â
Adding: “They have the therapist built into the relationship, because if feelings become developed, the therapist is available to talk the client through whatever feelings that they have around it.
“The therapist is there to keep that the container and the boundaries.”
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Virgin Island will premiere on Channel 4 on the 12th May at 9pm.