Film & TV3 min(s) read
Published 12:58 08 May 2026 GMT
Virgin Island sexologist Joy Rigel has revealed why she chose not to return for the hit show's second season, despite praising the series for tackling intimacy and shame in a way she believes is “really important work.”
The Channel 4 docuseries returned last month following the success of its debut season, once again following 12 sexually inexperienced adults as they travel to Croatia alongside a team of sex and relationship experts.
Across the series, contestants take part in workshops and emotional exercises designed to help them build healthy relationships and potentially experience intimacy with surrogate partners.
Speaking exclusively to VT, Rigel explains that while she still supports the programme, she stepped away because she felt the emotional intimacy side of her work was not fully represented on screen during season one.
“I did not join for this season because I didn't want to do surrogacy on the show,” Rigel says. “I have frameworks that I've developed that I think are really important that weren't shown.”
Rigel appeared in the first season of Virgin Island as an intimacy coach, helping contestants navigate connection, vulnerability, and sexuality.
The first series sparked major discussion online, particularly after 24-year-old accountant Dave became the only contestant to lose his virginity on screen during an intimate session with surrogate partner Kat Slade.
While Rigel says she still enjoys watching the show, she admits she was disappointed by the edit she received during season one.
“I just feel like they took the least important things that I said, and used that to create my story,” she explains.
The sexologist says she wanted viewers to see more of the emotional groundwork behind the connections formed on the show, rather than focusing mainly on erotic experiences.
“What the producers might be missing is a highlight on emotional intimacy,” Rigel says. “Some people don't connect automatically to erotic energy.”
She continues: “I feel like throwing people into erotic energy is a lot, and it might be nice to highlight some basic, plain, friendly, fun, not sexualized human connection, because I think that's what we're all missing.”
Rigel, who specializes in emotional intimacy, sensual mindfulness, and relationship coaching, also opened up about how her own experiences led her into the profession.
“I just wasn't feeling connected with the people I was having sex with. I wasn't orgasming, and I was like, 'What's happening? Why, why? What's wrong with me?'” she tells VT.
Over time, she realized her struggles were connected to emotional safety and connection rather than simply physical intimacy.
“It was a long journey of self-exploration,” Rigel explains. “I saw that I could help people settle into deeper connections, and that many people were afraid of emotional intimacy.”
Rigel has more than two decades of experience in somatics and mindfulness and says her work focuses heavily on helping people reconnect with their bodies and emotions.
Although she no longer works as a surrogate partner as regularly as before, Rigel confirmed she still occasionally takes on clients she feels are the right fit.
“It's a giant space to hold,” she says. “I have to be just right to do that. And it's just a lot to ask of myself.”
She also revealed that working with virgins can differ significantly from working with older clients who may carry “more trauma" and "more shame.”
Despite stepping away from Virgin Island season two, Rigel said she remains supportive of the show and plans to keep watching.
“I think it's really important work,” she said. “I'm happy to see it happening.”
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