‘Wasn’t shocked’: Tina Provis slams mainstreaming of anti-Asian racism

Reality star Tina Provis is calling out the widespread acceptance of anti-Asian racism, sharing her personal experiences of growing up feeling “unattractive” and ashamed of her identity - and why she’s done brushing it off.

Love Island Australia alumni Tina Provis has opened up about her experience with anti-Asian discrimination after a current contestant was booted off the show for using racially-charged language.

Provis publicly criticised fans defending Love Island USA contestant Cierra Ortega on Monday, after old social media posts emerged where Ortega described her own appearance using racial terms, calling her eyes “chinky”.

Ortega was confirmed to have left the show yesterday.

Speaking to Confidential, Provis, who won the 2021 Australian season of the romance show, claimed she spent years feeling “very insecure”, and grew up constantly reminded her appearance was seen as unattractive.

Provis recalled being teased in school, including one incident where a boy chased her around the playground while pulling back his eyelids.

Former Love Island Australia winner star Tina Provis says she’s done brushing off racism. Picture: Instagram

“Growing up, I felt constantly reminded that my features were not attractive,” she said.

“Taking group pictures … there was always one person who would declare how bad they looked in the picture because they looked Asian.

“I would join in on the joke and even try to get to the punchline before anyone else in an attempt to brush it off, but now, I see how damaging it is to accept racism because it does not create safe spaces for (multicultural Australians).”

Provis stood by her decision to call out fans defending Ortega’s online posts.

“It feels like a no-brainer, it is incredibly derogatory to reference features of an ethnic group as undesirable or unattractive,” Provis told Confidential.

“I wasn’t shocked to see a lot of people online defending Cierra’s use of the slur. It’s a clear example of how anti-Asian racism is far more tolerated and accepted than it would be in other communities.”

The 29 year-old said she felt she had to speak up so other young Asian women didn’t share her experiences.

“Years of overlooked racism and microaggressions led me to reject parts of my identity.

“I don’t want young people to make my mistake and think that it’s normal.”

Provis said she wanted to see more action across the board to ensure different cultural communities feel “safe” and “seen”, especially within entertainment and reality TV.

Former Love Island Australia winner star Tina Provis says she’s done brushing off racism. Picture: Instagram

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