The new arrivals are bound to shake things up as the ITV2 series rolls out its classic twist.

By Naomi Gordon

Published: Monday, 26 July 2021 at 12:00 am


The Love Island moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here!

Casa Amor – which will see the Love Island 2021 contestants split for a few days as the girls and boys are introduced to a new set of islanders – was confirmed on Friday, and now the newbies have been revealed.

From a 6ft 6in athlete (sorry Tyler and Liam!) to a couple of models, influencers and an accountant, meet all the bombshells, who could well be turning heads when Casa Amor kicks off tonight.

And it sounds like a lot of them aren’t worried about stepping on any toes!

This could get messy…

Amy Day

"Love
Love Island Casa Amor contestant Amy Day
ITV

Age: 25

Job: Performer

From: Surrey

Instagram: @___amyday___

Asked why she decided to sign up for the ITV2 dating show, Amy said: “I’m clearly not very good at dating myself. I’m looking forward to the experience and the potential of finding someone I might not have met.” We wonder whose head she’ll turn in the villa…

Clarisse Juliette

"Love
Love Island Casa Amor contestant Clarisse Juliette
ITV

Age: 23

Job: Brand owner/ influencer

From: London

Instagram: @clarissejuliette

Influencer Clarisse is “bored” of hugging her pillow at night, and wants to hug a Teddy instead.

“I’m bored of hugging my pillow… it’s time to find a boyfriend. I feel like guys are coming in here to actually find a girlfriend as well.”

Asked who she has her eye on in the villa, she added: “Teddy – he’s tall, confident and smooth. I don’t like horrible, cocky guys. If they are honest, that’s what I’d prefer.”

Lillie Haynes

"Love
Love Island Casa Amor contestant Lillie Haynes
ITV

Age: 22

Job: Trainee accountant

From: South Shields

Instagram: @lillie.haynes

Trainee accountant Lillie Haynes likes the look of two guys in the villa – Jake and Liam.

Ahead of her Casa Amor debut, she said: “I’ve definitely got my eye on Jake. He’s 100% the type of boy I would go for at home. It’s too good of a match not to just go for. Liam is definitely a dark horse for me, he’s like James Bond when you look at him, absolutely gorgeous. So he could be a very close second.”

Jake is now in a relationship with Liberty and Liam is coupled up with his “Millie Moo,” so how does she feel about stepping on the girls’ toes?

“I don’t mind stepping on toes. I’m there for the same reason they are,” she said.

Fair play.

Dale Mehmet

"Love
Love Island Casa Amor contestant Dale Mehmet
ITV

Age: 24

Job: Barber

From: Glasgow

Instagram: @dalehuncho

Self-taught barber Dale Mehmet isn’t putting too much pressure on his Love Island experience, saying: “I’m the kind of person who is super chilled. If I meet someone then that would be amazing. But I take everything as it comes. I’d like to meet someone I like and can move forward with, but I’ll just take it as it comes.”

He is looking forward to getting to know one girl in particular though – Faye Winter.

“I like Faye’s attitude and personality. I feel like we would get on,” he added.

Jack Barlow

"Love
Love Island Casa Amor contestant Jack Barlow
ITV

Age: 26

Job: Racing driver and coach

From: East Sussex

Instagram: @jackcbarlow

Having been single for two years, Jack is looking for “the one” and he thinks Chloe Burrows could be that special girl.

Speaking ahead of his villa debut, he said: “I’ve been single for about two years now. To be honest, I’m ready to meet the one. Not necessarily get married at this age but just experience life with somebody and start a new adventure. We’ve all been deprived of a bit of adventure over the last year.”

He continued: “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.”

Sam Jackson

"Love
Love Island Casa Amor contestant Sam Jackson
ITV

Age: 23

Job: Maintenance manager

From: Clitheroe

Instagram: @samjacksonn98

Sam Jackson is ready to bring his “chat” to the villa and he’s not afraid of ruffling feathers.

“I’m happy to step on someone’s toes to get what I want,” he admitted.  “If that’s what I’ve got to do, I’ve got to do it. 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!”

Salma Naran

"©ITV

Age: 20

Job: Model/influencer

From: Dublin

Instagram: @salma.naranx

Salma Naran says she’s never been in love, so this could be the perfect opportunity to meet someone, without the distractions of social media.

“What better place to have tunnel vision and really find your one? It’s the perfect atmosphere, you don’t have the outside world distractions. It looks like time moves fast in there in a good way – it’s like, do you actually like me or not? In the real world it’s so wishy-washy. With this, it’s just, you need to know.”

Mary Bedford

"©ITV

Age: 22

Job: Model

From: Wakefield

Instagram: @mary_bedford

Mary Bedford says her type on paper is Liam Reardon – who seems blissfully coupled up with Millie Court. Fans aren’t going to be happy if something comes between these two, but for sure they’ll love the drama.

“I’m just going to get in there, see how Liam actually is feeling about Millie really and then reassess. 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.”

Kaila Troy

"©ITV

Age: 28

Job: International DJ

From: Dublin

Instagram: @djkailatroy

Kaila Troy is definitely looking for love in the villa as she’s given up on dating in the real world.

“Real life dating has not been doing me any favours at all. I’ve had it. I’m really looking forward to meeting everybody and finding somebody. I’m really intrigued and excited about who I’ll meet in there.”

Harry Young

"©ITV

Age: 24

Job: Car salesman

From: Glasgow

Instagram: @harryyoung__

Harry Young signed up to the show through dating app Tinder.

“I’ve been single for a year and a half and previously went through heartbreak. I’ve had a bit of fun as well. Obviously, COVID then hit so I haven’t had the chance to date. It was through Tinder that I signed up. Over the past year it was easier to start off an initial conversation online because pubs and clubs were closed.”

Medhy Malanda

"©ITV

Age: 24

Job: American football player

From: Luton (originally from Belgium)

Instagram: @medhymalanda

Medhy Malanda – who can speak four languages (French, Dutch, English and Lingala) – has his eyes on Kaz Kamwi, who seems to have found her match with Tyler Cruickshank.

“Kaz’s personality is fiery, she’s got energy, she’s funny and she’s got a beautiful smile and she’s a nice girl in general. And Millie seems like a nice girl and she’s obviously good looking as well. I am a happy person, I’m a lot like Kaz.”

Matthew MacNabb

"©ITV

Age: 26

Job: Strategic marketing consultant

From: Belfast

Instagram: @mmacnabb

Matthew MacNabb is 6ft 6 – which is roughly around the same height as Liam and Tyler. Surely that gifts this series of Love Island the unusual accolade of “tallest ever contestants”? He also knows what he wants and is ready to mingle.

“I won’t have much of a problem with stepping on toes. 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.”

New episodes of Love Island are on ITV2 every night at 9pm, except Saturdays which is a catch-up. Episodes are available to stream on the ITV Hub. For more info check out InstagramTwitterTikTok and Facebook. While you’re waiting, check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.