It's all happening—another summer of grafting, recouplings, and fake tans is upon us. That’s right: Love Island is here, and ITV has officially confirmed the Love Island 2024 contestants who have entered the villa. (The show is currently airing in the UK on ITV; US viewers can watch season 11 starting June 8 on Hulu.)
Read on to find out a little more about the men and women who will be on the hunt for love (and maybe an incidental Boohoo deal, too, who’s to say?) this summer—including the shock arrival of Joey Essex, who made a surprise appearance during the show’s launch episode. Here's the Love Island 2024 cast in full.
Joey Essex
Age: 33
From: Essex
Job: Reality TV star
Instagram: @joeyessex
Joey, who is being touted as Love Island’s first-ever celebrity contestant, is a seasoned reality star—having found fame on The Only Way Is Essex back in 2011, he has since starred on Celebrity Ex on the Beach, Celebs Go Dating, and its spin-off, Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion. He has also appeared on other reality shows, including Dancing on Ice, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and I’m A Celebrity.
He spoke to The Sun ahead of his surprise entry to the villa, saying: “I’m extremely single right now, so I’m praying that I’m going to walk out of the villa hand in hand with the love of my life. That’s my main aim and all I care about.”
Harriet Blackmore
Age: 24
From: Brighton
Job: Dancer and personal shopper
Instagram: @harriblackmorex
Fresh out of a three-year relationship, Harriet is looking for “boys, entertainment, a bit of fun and flirting.”
“Being a bit of an It girl in Brighton, I’ve done personal shopping for the rapper Arrdee and one of my best friends is Saffron Barker the YouTuber.”
Nicole Samuel
Age: 24
From: Aberdare
Job: Accounts manager
Instagram: @nicolesams123
As Nicole told ITV, she has a “big personality” and she is always “upfront” in her conversations.
“I’ve been enjoying single life and the attention of different boys, it’s fun,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed being able to go on holiday with the girls and not having to worry about someone back home. All the girls are there texting in their room and I’m out till 4 in the morning living my best life.”
Sam Taylor
Age: 23
From: Chesterfield
Job: Hair stylist
Instagram: @samtaylorhair
What makes him a catch? “My personality and chat, I’d like to think I’ve got lots of depth and substance, which should hopefully help me out when trying to find a connection,” he said to ITV.
His type on paper? “Margot Robbie because she’s my dream woman, Megan Fox because she’s hot and Yung Filly to make me laugh.”
Samantha Kenny
Age: 26
From: Liverpool
Job: Makeup artist
Instagram: @samanthakenny.xx
On her decision to join the Love Island 2024 cast, Samantha said, “I’m ready to settle down and Love Island is an amazing opportunity to meet someone that isn’t from my area,” she told ITV. “I love a cockney boy so I’m hoping there is one in there for me.”
She added, “Tall, dark, and cockney is my type.”
Ronnie Vint
Age: 27
From: South East London
Job: Semi professional footballer
Instagram: @ronnievint
Ronnie joins Love Island after two serious relationships in the past.
“I’ve always thought about Love Island but now that I’m 27 it feels like the right age for me to be serious about finding someone and settling down,” he said.
Munveer Jabbal
Age: 30
From: Surbiton, Surrey
Job: Recruitment manager
Munveer comes to the villa after exhausting the London dating scene. “The opportunity to be surrounded by good-looking people in a villa under the sun is an absolute no-brainer!” he said. “I’m 30 years old, and I need to start thinking seriously about the next step, and what better place?”
Patsy Field
Age: 29
From: Orpington
Job: Office administrator
Instagram: @patsylouu
Another self-proclaimed “big personality,” Patsy is proud of being “loud” and “bossy”—as she told ITV, her family say she “rules the roost.”
“I’ve got something very special about me which is my disability. It’s a condition I was born with called Erbs palsy,” she explained. “It doesn't define who I am, but it makes me a little different, although I’ve learned to get on with it and it’s never held me back.”
Jess White
Age: 25
From: Stockport
Job: Retail manager
After all of her friends settled down, Jess is ready to find her match.
Love Island 2024 contestant Jess says: “I think I’m single because I don’t underestimate the fact that I’m hard work.
“I know what I want and I’m not easily pleased. When you’re a loud, outgoing woman, sometimes it can intimidate men—men don’t always want that. I think that can sometimes put people off me because I am quite loud and you can hear me before you see me. Some men love that though.”
Ayo Odukoya
Age: 25
From: Canning Town
Job: Model
Ayo Odukoya is a model and ex-footballer for Redbridge who is joining the villa after never having seen the show in the past.
“For me, I haven’t watched the show,” he told Closer. “I’m not so into the mix of the show and what’s going on. I’ve of course had a look at a few seasons as I was going through the process, just to have a look.”
After being approached by the team, he couldn't say no. “It seems like something to have a go at,” he said. “Of course, you can’t go wrong trying to find that love again—that is something that would be amazing to find if possible. I don’t really like being outside too much, I’ve been outside recently and it’s not fun outside! I do prefer to be indoors chilling with that person I can do stuff with. It would be nice to have that with somebody again.”
Mimii Ngulube
Age: 24
From: Portsmouth
Job: Mental health nurse
Instagram: @mimiitafara
On her decision to join the Love Island 2024 cast, Mimii said: “The pool in Portsmouth is not giving,” said Mimii. “I’ve tried dating, speaking to people on social media, and it just hasn’t been successful. Applying was a spontaneous thing. I didn’t expect to get here!”
Ciaran Davies
Age: 21
From: Pencoed, South Wales
Job: Surveyor
Instagram: @ciarandaviesss
Ciaran believes he’ll bring “a lot of energy, laughs, and good vibes” to the villa.
Plus, he’s clearly a big fan of the show. “When I was in Malia on a boys holiday I pretended to be Liam Reardon from series seven to get into a club because they wouldn’t let us in,” he said. “It worked and we ended up getting a private booth and free drinks all night.”
Sean Stone
Age: 24
From: Hertford
Job: Sweet salesman
Instagram: @seanstone__
Love Island contestant Sean, who actually sells sweets for a living, describes himself as “5’11, tall, dark, and handsome. Not quite 6 foot.” Oh, and he also has a “discreet” third nipple.
As for his personality? “Very loving, caring, and thoughtful. I’m the kind of guy that if you broke down on the motorway and needed your tire changed, I’d be there at any time of night.”
This post was originally published in Glamour UK.
