The former Bachelor star has weighed in after the Love Island Australia contestant criticised Ava’s looks during a conversation with the man at the centre of their Villa tension.
As highlighted by Chattr, Shawnee briefly said she was joking before continuing with comments about Ava’s body, including “fake lips, fake tits, fake everything”.
Abbie’s response takes aim at the idea that making a romantic rival seem less attractive will make anyone feel more secure.
Abbie Wants The Focus Off Ava’s Body
In her Instagram response, Abbie argued that ranking another woman’s features also accepts the idea that women’s value can be measured that way.
She said that approach gives a partner permission to judge women on the same terms, while leaving the relationship problem untouched. In her words, “you are only doing yourself a disservice”.
Rather than directing that frustration towards Ava, Abbie questioned the role of a man whose behaviour was allowing the insecurity to grow.
Her caption also widened the conversation beyond this particular couple. She described it as her opinion on a pattern she sees repeatedly, rather than a message only about Shawnee and Lachie.
The Villa Tension Has A Backstory
Lachie’s interest in Ava had already left Shawnee upset. After kissing Ava during the challenge, he wanted to explore the connection while keeping open the possibility of returning to Shawnee.
Shawnee made it clear that being treated as his fallback was her worst nightmare. Ava, meanwhile, had her own difficult challenge moment when Keanu turned a dare into a joke at her expense.
There is plenty to argue about in that triangle without adding a running assessment of anyone’s body.
Some Viewers Want Education, Too
The replies beneath Abbie’s post included support for her argument and calls to give women room to learn. One commenter wrote: “There’s no shame in it. Just education.”
Another suggested showing grace towards women who had not yet recognised the pattern. There was disagreement, too, with one reply questioning Abbie’s analysis and her emphasis on men’s role in the situation.
Abbie has put the question back on the relationship: why compete over whose body is better when Lachie is the one keeping his options open?