Love Island is back with a bang after the 2023 winter edition kicked off on Monday, January 16. Season 9 is taking place in South Africa in a luxury new villa and with Maya Jama at the helm for the first time.
As always the launch episode kicked off with a coupling up ceremony as the 10 new contestants were introduced to ITV2 and ITVX viewers for the very first time. Those in the original line-up include payroll administrator Anna-May Robey from Swansea, Michelle Keegan body double and Bond star Olivia Hawkins, farmer and TikTok star Will Young, and student and influencer Tanya Manhenga.
Also in the 2023 line-up are science and PE teacher Kai Fagan, makeup artist Lana Jenkins, financial advisor Ron Hall, hair stylist Tanyel Revan, airport security officer Shaq Muhammad, and TV salesman Haris Namani. You can see the original Love Island line-up in full here.
Read more: Love Island's Anna-May Robey shares glimpse of home life, with stylish living rooms and nights out
However, since the launch, many more contestants have been added to the line-up as bombshells, with plenty more late arrivals set to join the show. Here's everything you need to know about 2023 bombshells.
Casey O'Gorman, 26 & Jordan Odofin, 28
Casey and Jordan joined the villa together after a recoupling that saw Zara Lackenby-Brown leave the villa. Casey is a recruitment consultant from Tring and thinks he will be "cheekiest boy in the villa".
He said: "I'll be the cheekiest boy in villa I can definitely see myself kissing a lot of the girls in there! So I guess, lots of entertainment and lots of drama!" Meanwhile, Jordan is from London and he is a Senior HR Advisor.
He is hoping to find love and a "genuine connection" in the villa after focussing on his career. He said: "I’m looking to find a genuine connection with someone. Firstly, I’ve been busy and focused on my career and there've been lots of distractions with dating apps and meeting people on nights out. It feels like the right time for me to settle down."
Samie Elishi, 22
Samie joined the show during the episode that aired on Sunday, January 29. Her arrival was announced via text as Tom Clare read out: "Boys, grab a drink and head to the sundeck to meet Samie #HappyHour #GetOnJob."
Samie is Senior Estate Agent Coordinator from London. On why she decided to join the show, she said: “All my single friends are starting to settle down, so whenever I suggest a girls’ trip, everyone’s staying in with their boyfriends. I want someone to do that with, too! Honesty. I’m a really honest person and I have no filter,” Samie said on what she hopes to bring to the villa, “I won’t take rubbish from anyone, especially when it comes to guys!!
Discussing why someone should date her, Samie said: "I'm fun and I’m fit! I’ve got to back myself or no one else will!"
Ellie Spence, 25 & Spencer Wilks, 24
Ellie and Spencer joined the villa in a shock twist during a recoupling. Ellie is a business development executive at a law firm from Norwich and Spencer is an e-commerce business owner from Bournemouth.
Ellie said of joining winter Love Island: "I've been single for three years and the roster is pretty dry, it's been dry for the last year, I don't know what happened, it's just not been a great time for me so I'm ready to find my husband."
While Spencer added: "It’s a great experience and I’ll be out of my comfort zone, maybe I’ll find someone that I could be with forever and to share that experience with someone I think is quite unique. This is the only time I’ve been single, so it’s now or never really."
Jessie Wynter, 26 & Aaron Waters, 25
Jessie and Aaron were this year's big twist as they have previously starred in Australia's Love Island. Jessie is from Tasmania and living in Sydney as a personal trainer and influencer.
Talking before entering the show Jessie explained what went wrong in her relationship with Tom who she met on the Australian Love Island. She said: "I’d been on the show for quite some time before he came on, so I feel like the relationship was slightly unbalanced in that way - he knew a lot more about me than I knew about him. When we got out of the Villa I thought everything was great and fun, however I just don’t think we were both on the same page."
Aaron is a model and content creator from Melbourne. Aaron said: "In terms of dating, I’ve learnt that it’s not always what meets the eye. Attraction is one thing, but making a connection and being able to build something with somebody is another."
"When I was in the Love Island Australia Villa, I didn’t open myself up to other opportunities that I could’ve possibly had. This time around I want to be testing the waters by being open-minded and giving everyone a chance. In terms of my experience in the previous Villa, I went in there wanting to be myself and I can truly say I felt comfortable in myself in every way so I’d never change it."
Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown, 25 & David Salako, 24
Zara is a model and property developer from London. Before entering the villa, Zara said: "I've always loved being on stage and performing, I did musical theatre and performing arts at university. I'm fully trained in ballet, tap and jazz and have singing qualifications which led me to get scouted as a model.
"I've since gone onto do lots of modelling and dancing for music videos for UK and global artists, I've worked with people like Hardy Caprio, Headie One, Aitch, Tione Wayne and more." You can read more about Zara here.
David is a money advisor from Essex. On what he'll bring to the villa, David said: "Good vibes, energy, I’m very personable. I’m actually excited to meet new people, aside from a partner, friends as well."
On why he's still single, David shared: "I'm very picky - I haven't met the right one yet. The person you're going to meet is never going to be perfect, but I've got my standards, yeah." You can read more on David here.
Tom Clare, 23
Tom is a semi-pro footballer from Barnsley. He is a striker for Macclesfield and was the first bombshell announced for the 2023 series.
Talking about his claim to fame, Tom said: "Robbie Savage is the director of my football team. I just have such a good relationship with him. I see him as a mate."
Asked why he wanted to join Love Island, Tom said: "I want to meet someone. It’s good going out and having a laugh but I miss sharing stuff. Life’s too short. These opportunities don’t come around often. "
He added: "I’m a good laugh, a good vibe. I’m not snakey, I don’t like that kind of stuff. If I’ve got an issue with someone I’ll speak to them. " You can read more about Tom here.
Meanwhile, Tom was one of two bombshells who viewers were asked to choose between as the first bombshell to enter the villa. Business development executive Ellie Spence lost out to Tom but has still not appeared on the show depsite being heavily promoted by ITV2. Fans have now been left puzzled about her going 'missing'. You can read more about her here.
Love Island continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
Love Island's Anna-May Robey looked unrecognisable with blonde hair before ITV2 show
Love Island's Paige Thorne breaks down in tears during meltdown over haircut
Who is Zara on Love Island 2023? Bombshell's age, job, Instagram and celebrity connections
Love Island 2023: Who is Lana Jenkins? Age, job, Instagram, very famous ex and TV role
Win a £50 Just Eat voucher to celebrate the return of winter Love Island
