"what an opportunity to represent South Asian queers."
BBC Three’s I Kissed a Girl comes a year after its predecessor made headlines as the first gay dating show in the UK.
Ten contestants go to a remote Italian villa and are introduced with a kiss.
Newport’s Priya Sohanpal is one of the contestants and she revealed that she initially hid her application from friends and family.
When she was approached, the 23-year-old was in two minds about appearing on the show, thinking:
“What business do I have being on a reality TV show?”
She said in many South Asian communities it is taboo to talk about being in a relationship let alone being gay, and she was worried about her family’s reaction – but they were very supportive.
Priya decided to go on I Kissed a Girl, adding:
“I wasn’t expecting much.
“The next thing you know, I’m packing my bags and going to Italy.
“I wanted to do it because I was like, why not? It’ll be life-changing, and what an opportunity to represent South Asian queers.”
She admitted that she was worried about what her friends and family would think.
“I remember I had a Zoom call with someone from production, I told my family it was a job interview.
“I told them towards the end of the process and they were fine about it.
“Ever since the show came out they’ve been super supportive, all my friends are kind of gagged by everything.
“They saw the first two episodes and said they could never do it.
“They said they didn’t know how I had the confidence to kiss someone in front of a million cameras.”
Priya’s decision to appear on I Kissed a Girl has received positive feedback so far.
She continued: “Plus, I’ve had messages from South Asian queer women saying thank you for representing South Asians, because in our community, it’s taboo to talk about being in a relationship, let alone being gay.
“I’m proud to have this chance to be able to represent queer South Asian girls in Wales.”
Priya came out as a lesbian to her parents in 2020.
She recalled: “I only recently came out to my family. I was definitely nervous about telling my dad because he’s an old Punjabi man.
“I didn’t know how to tell him, but it ended up being really easy because I had my ex-girlfriend over.”
“I was like, ‘oh dad, by the way, this girl who’s been coming round, she’s not my friend. She’s my girlfriend’.
“He just said ‘okay’ and walked off. I didn’t make a big deal about it.”
When Priya told her extended family, they were initially shocked but her mother was very supportive.
“She was really happy for me.
“I’m so lucky to have such a supportive family because I know not every South Asian queer woman has that experience and may not have a safe space.
“I think it’s really important for people in my community to talk about it more so it becomes less of a taboo.”
She admitted it has been difficult to date in Newport.
“I have never dated anyone from Newport, because I have just never found anyone.
“I’m very proud to be from Newport, I just haven’t found people from here that I relate to, especially being a minority.
“I was like one of very few South Asian people in my school. So I grew up in a very white environment.
“When I went to university in Birmingham, I found more people that were my type.
“But then when I came out as gay, it was so hard. I think the closest thing I could get near me were gay clubs in Cardiff.
“Everywhere else, I just couldn’t find anyone. So I went on (dating app) Hinge, I’d swipe all the time and then even put my location in America, because why not? Go to a different country. Try somewhere else.”
On growing up, Priya recalled: “I got bullied in school because of my race.
“Wales hasn’t always been the kindest to me, but it’s fine.
“I’m still proud to be a Welsh South Asian girl.”
I Kissed a Girl is a female version of 2023’s I Kissed a Boy.
Hosted by Dannii Minogue, the series features 10 lesbian and bisexual contestants.
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