In this 28th edition of “Koh-Lanta,” “The Relics of Destiny,” candidate Ulrich is attracting a lot of criticism due to his misogynistic and sexist comments.
All adventurers, but not on an equal footing. Since the beginning of the 28th season of “Koh-Lanta,” “The Relics of Destiny,” the episodes have been punctuated by criticisms from viewers about the misogynistic remarks and sexist behaviors of some of the adventurers. This is not a first for the TF1 adventure game show. But this time, it goes a bit further.
From the first episode, some viewers were concerned about how the yellow team leader, Paul, pointed out Clemence when forming teams: “We’ll focus on Clemence but we need to set her straight right away,” he said before choosing the young woman, deemed too fiery.
Since then, examples have multiplied, and the female contestants no longer hesitate to speak out once their elimination is known to all. Like Karine, a specialist in Polynesian canoe (but whose advice on rowing was barely listened to before a male contestant took the lead, she was even judged “too directive”). She later revealed to “20 Minutes” that it was “very difficult to progress in Koh-Lanta as a woman over 45.”
There is also Nora, the latest eliminated contestant on Tuesday, March 31. A candidate who felt compelled to lie about her age to avoid becoming a target. She also told Le Parisien, “Howling with the wolves is a bit easy. And so, it dilutes and masks the true subjects of misogyny, more insidious than it seems.” A direct reference to Ulrich, whose comments on differences between women and men have shocked viewers.
Ulrich in the eye of the storm
This candidate is attracting numerous criticisms this year. “Koh-Lanta is not for the weak (…) Physically, I would be above average,” he claimed while lifting tires in a gym in his profile. The big guy of this edition is not comfortable in the water. To the point that others have to help him carry his bag to facilitate the crossing of a river. Playfully mocked upon arrival at the camp, he was never really worried.
On the other hand, he forgives no mistakes. Clemence paid the price after panicking during a diving challenge. Despite apologizing to her fellow contestants, Ulrich continued to criticize her. “She is useless. She spends the whole day chilling on the beach. She’s only good at talking and laughing loudly,” he whispered behind her back. Hurt by his behavior (which he later pretended to apologize for), Clemence was eliminated shortly after.
The Ulrich case has taken on new proportions with a food sharing incident, a recurring issue on “Koh-Lanta.” “Women don’t eat as much as men. Men spend three times more than women,” he said without filter around the campfire. This disheartened Clemence Castel, a viewer of the show and a double winner of “Koh-Lanta.” “Completely disagree,” she replied from a distance on social media, while also mentioning Ulrich’s weaknesses in the water. The exchange turned into a venting session against Ulrich.
Violent enough to prompt a response from the production: “When respect values are not respected, ALP and TF1 immediately remind these essential principles to all parties involved,” this was simply stated in a timid statement relayed by Le Parisien.
Trivialization of masculinist discourse
13 women to 15 men have already won a regular season of “Koh-Lanta.” Proof that gender has little to do with a final victory. But according to essayist Valerie Rey-Robert, author of “Reality TV: the manufacture of sexism” (Les Insolentes editions), there are objectively sexist elements inherent in the TF1 program.
“The challenges are primarily designed for men with short tests of strength and endurance. Women are systematically disadvantaged,” she points out. “Of all the seasons, 113 challenges were won by women compared to 60-70 by men,” defended the producer Alexia Laroche-Joubert as early as 2020 when her show was criticized for sexism in a report from the High Council for Gender Equality.
On the other hand, the expert points out another problem, “the obligation for women to wear two-piece swimsuits,” highlighting the mental burden of the risk of having the swimsuit come off during a challenge.
Another issue highlighted by Valerie Rey-Robert, especially obvious this season, is “the reflex of women wanting to keep men, even the most useless ones. And especially the fact that women’s strategies are always seen as more perverse. Women are cunning, men are intelligent,” she says. And conversely, men have the reflex to eliminate women first, always judged weaker. Since the beginning of this season, four women have already been eliminated, compared to only one man.
But what is more concerning today is that it seems more complex. Like the trivialization of masculinist discourse on social media. Whether intentional or not, Ulrich takes advantage of a significant platform to deploy sexist remarks, while intentionally provoking the subject online, responding to a follower with “No, I am a Pro Max misogynist, it’s a step above.” The essayist regrets these slips. “It’s the return of the current backlash with guys who openly claim their masculinism. It has always been the case, but in our era, it shocks us even more,” she judges.
Contacted by Le HuffPost, the production of “Koh-Lanta” did not respond to our requests. However, it would have been pertinent to hear from them about the importance of prevention around this family program, the attention paid during casting to certain types of behaviors, or the preparation of future selected adventurers in terms of equality. It would not be surprising to see Denis Brogniart remind the contestants of certain rules of community living and food distribution, whether in front of or away from the cameras, to set some things straight – even if watches are not allowed on “Koh-Lanta.”
