The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived: Casa Amor is here and the couples of Love Island are about to be put through their biggest challenge so far…
Before we see it all take place on the small screen tonight however, we thought we’d break down the six new boys and six new girls that will be vying for the attention of the Islanders already on the show. Will any of them make a good enough impression to be kept around?
Without further ado, here are the Casa Amor Bombshells!
Salma Naran, 20 from Dublin, Model and Influencer
Admitting to have "never been in love", Salma is hoping that the villa will be the "perfect atmosphere" without "outside world distractions" to try and find the one. She describes herself as "the bubbliest person in the room" and thinks she'll bring "a lot of vibrant energy" to the show.
"I can be shy at times if I don't like the energy," she says. "I do pick up on energies a lot. I don't like confrontation. I am a very fiery person but I would never start something just because. If I'm confronted then I probably would get fiery. I don't bother people if they don't bother me.”
Harry Young, 24 from Glasgow, Car Salesman
Harry is the first ever Islander to be recruited for the show directly through Tinder, which he's been using throughout the pandemic because it was "easier to start off an initial conversation online, because pubs and clubs were closed.” Now, he’s heading onto the biggest dating show in the country.
As a fan of the show, he's been watching and says, "Kaz has always been in my top three", before admitting that once he's "in there and speaking with people, it could change." Unafraid to step on toes "or ruffle a few feathers", Harry says that he's the person who "if I'm on a night out or at work, I'm there for a laugh and the banter. People say they can hear me before they can see me." Let's hope he brings plenty of laughs to the Villa!
Mary Bedford, 22 from Wakefield, Model
"I always get dragged into the same circle of boys," says Mary, who adds that when it comes to the men in her life, she has "the worst luck ever". Having been watching the series so far, she says she's got her eye on Liam, who she describes as "beautiful", but she's not opposed to getting to know Teddy and Toby, either.
Will she step on toes to get what she wants, though? "I'm just going to get in there, see how Liam actually is feeling about Millie really and then reassess," she says. "I'm definitely not one to lay it on thick. I'll just do a bit of flirting and see how it goes. That's the whole aim isn't it? If I go in there and I really like Liam I'll have to step on Millie's toes. If all the boys are coupled up you will be stepping on toes.”
Medhy Malanda, 24 from Belgium, now living in Luton, American Football Player and Model
Having been single for four years, Medhy says he "loves a good challenge" along with "temptation", so when he was asked to be a part of the show this year, he thought "why not?” Already interested in getting to know both Kaz and Millie, he’s not afraid to cause some divisions to get exactly what he wants.
"Stepping on toes is not even a question," he says. "It's part of the game, if you're not happy to have your toes stepped on then don't come to the show; especially when it comes to Casa Amor. I'm here for that."
Kaila Troy, 28 from Dublin, International DJ
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Kaila was working as a DJ all around the world, where she says she met a lot of "interesting characters". As for dating however? She says in the real world, it hasn't "been doing me any favours at all.”
Though she hasn't named anybody specifically she'd like to get to know, she does say she is "really looking forward to meeting everybody and finding somebody.” With such a positive attitude, we hope she finds exactly what she’s looking for when she hits Casa Amor!
Matthew Macnabb, 26 from Belfast, Strategic Marketing Consultant
"My family would describe me as very relaxed and laid back, positive and optimistic," says Matthew. "And my friends would describe me as very adventurous and very positive.” Then describing himself as "laid-back in the sense I like to laugh and I don't care too much about what people think,” it’s clear that Matthew is simply going into the Love Island Villa for a good time.
"I won't have much of a problem with [stepping on toes]," he adds. "The guys haven't known the girls that long so it's not really a huge issue. I'm sure if they have a problem they'll approach me." Sounds like fighting talk! We can't wait to see how this goes down…
Amy Day, 25 from Surrey, Performer
This self-described “girls’ girl” is going onto Love Island without having her eye on anyone in particular, instead interested in getting to know everybody and seeing “what the vibe is”. "I will step on toes if needs be," she adds, "but that's obviously not my aim. But they might also realise what they had was just because that's all they had.”
In the real world, Amy sings, dances and acts. "When I work on a cruise ship it's very beautiful costumes, stunning and just feeling glamorous all the time," she explains. "To be able to perform and make a salary - I've been very lucky.”
Dale Mehmet, 24 from Glasgow, Barber
"I'm the kind of person who is super chilled," says Dale, who wants "to meet someone I like and can move forward with". As for who that might be? "I like Faye's attitude and personality. I feel like we would get on.” As part of the Casa Amor twist, he’ll have to step on some toes if he wants to make a move.
“It is what it is, isn’t it? I'm not a bad guy who is going to steal somebody's girl. But if I want something then I'm going to pursue it. I would go about it all in the right way. Everybody would be well aware of what I was doing."
Clarisse Juliette, 23 from London, Brand Owner and Influencer
"I'm bored of hugging my pillow," says Clarisse, who’s hopeful that the men on Love Island are actually going onto the show to find a relationship and settle down. With her sights set on Teddy however, who she describes as “tall, confident and smooth”, she may have some work to do, as he’s currently happily paired with Faye.
Asked about stepping on toes, she says: "It's about getting to know them more. I'm going to try to talk to all of them and see what they're saying about the current situation. I'm a good judge of character so I'll be able to judge with what they say and how they act with the other girls.”
Jack Barlow, 26 from East Sussex, Racing Driver and Coach
Having been single for two years, Harry says he's ready to "meet the one". He continues: "I'm very much a connection type of person so I'll be able to tell more in person. From what I've seen and going off their energy, Chloe has been top of my list. It's been nice to see her be herself and not care what anyone thinks. I think she'll be a lot of fun.”
As for going into Casa Amor? "I'm naturally a respectful guy," he claims, "so even if I needed to step on someone's toes, I'd go around it in a respectful way. I appreciate that I'm going into Casa Amor so I don't have that opportunity but I'm there for myself and I'm trying to find love. My competitive nature will come out when I'm there."
Lillie Haynes, 22 from South Shields, Trainee Accountant
"Usually I'm very loyal and I meet one guy, date him, date him only and then I end up being his girlfriend and it never works out," says Lillie. So, she's joined the show "to meet loads of different people that I wouldn't normally come across and date them all essentially and then pick who I like from that bunch rather than sticking with one and rolling with that.”
Excited to enjoy a bit of “variation” in her dating life, Lillie could cause some problems for Jake and Liberty if she has her way. “I’ve definitely got my eye on Jake,” she says. “He's 100% the type of boy I would go for at home. It's too good of a match not to just go far.” She also describes Liam as a “dark horse” and “like James Bond”; so will either of the guys leave their respective couples to date her? We’ll soon find out…
Sam Jackson, 23 from Clitheroe, Maintenance Engineer
Having always watched the show and saying that all the ladies in this year's series are "stunning girls", Sam is looking forward to "getting to know them all", unafraid of stepping on toes to "get what I want”.
Despite that, he says "I am looking forward to meeting the boys as well, I'm a proper lads' lad. I see myself getting on with the boys as well - it'll be good to meet some new people and get a few bromances going!"
Love Island continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox.
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