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THE RUNDOWN
- Love Island Australia 2026 premieres today, Monday, October 2026, at 10 am AEDT on 9Now and 8:30 pm AEDT on Channel 9.
- This year, 14 contestants are taking over the famous Love Island USA villa in Fiji.
- Sophie Monk is returning to host the series for the show’s eighth season.
- There are ten starting islanders this season who will be joined by four “bombshells” as the series progresses.
- An exclusive companion series: Love Island Australia: Unseen. Uncut. will premiere on Stan Monday, October 26 offering unfiltered, realtime footage of the islanders.
- “Power Couples”, ie. previous successful Love Island couples will be voting in the villa.
Love Island Australia will be returning to our screens on Monday, October 26, 2026 with host Sophie Monk, and the Nine Network has just revealed the cast.
To be honest, for someone who writes a fair bit about reality TV, I’ve never been much of a watcher. Love Island is the one series that has thoroughly charmed me. Where else can you find Big Brother–level surveillance with The Bachelor–level washboard abs, hair extensions, and sexual tension?
Related: Where (And When) To Watch ‘Love Island’ Australia 2026 Today
Each year across 26 countries, hundreds of islanders head to villas around the world in search of fame and — sometimes — love. Love Island Australia, which started in 2018, is still getting its sea legs. Controversially, unlike other franchises in the 11 years since Love Island first launched, it doesn’t film live. But this year, it has dialled up the heat by transporting the cast members to the most famous (or infamous) villa in the franchise: Love Island USA’s legendary Fiji resort.
Well also see a few familiar faces return to the villa as part of “Power Couples.” Returning alumni include: Claudia and Austen (season four winners), Kale and Tyra (season five winners), Georgia and Nate (season five), Eric and Kaylah (season six), Kye and Yana (season seven winners) and Connor and Isabel (season seven).
As always, Love Islanders will initially couple up based on attraction (or be matched with each other if nobody chooses them). As the series progresses and bonds deepen, depending on the islander in question, we’ll see love, a desire to win $50,000 and/or the ultimate Love Island trophy, a seven-figure follower count, guide their hearts.
Will this be the year Love Island Australia mint a reality TV star? Fingers crossed. We have the first fourteen cast members, so let’s put on a skimpy bikini and dive in.
Skip To: Love Island Australia 2026 Cast
- Jarrar, 22, Diesel Fitter
- Keanu, 25. Tradie
- Phoebe, 23, ‘Funemployed’
- Amanda, 26, Part-time jeweller & model
- Lachie, 26, Chiropractor
- Natalie, 23, Airline Ground Crew
- Jack, 24, Tradie Trainer
- Oli, 26, Personal Trainer
- Shawnee, 27, Online Fitness Coaching Business
- Layla, 22, Global Learning Manager & Pilates Instructor
Bombshells:
Who Is the Host of Love Island Australia?
Sophie Monk is returning as the host of Love Island Australia, having helmed the series since its first season back in 2018.
Monk carries on the rich Love Island tradition of having an experienced agony-aunt reality TV vet play host to the islanders. She first rose to fame in 2000 as a winning member of the pop girl group Bardot in the inaugural season of the Australian reality TV series Popstars. While Popstars and Bardot didn’t last, Monk’s charisma and good looks have made her an Australian reality TV mainstay. In 2017, she starred in the third season of The Bachelorette Australia. Monk has the perfect résumé for a Love Island host: extensive reality TV experience and a very public dating history.
Meet The Love Island Australia 2026 Cast
So who are our soon-to-be love-struck islanders? Meet this year’s bronzed gods and goddesses below. And of course, our list will be added to as bombshells enter the villa.
Jarrar
From: Wollongong
Age: 22
Occupation: Diesel fitter
Instagram: @jarrarhaidar
Jarrar is a FIFO diesel fitter (a profession I had to Google) who has the distinction of being mistaken for rugby league stud Reece Walsh so frequently that the boys call him “Temu Walshy.” According to Nine, Jarrar is “cheeky and confident”—two qualities that, on the field, mean he will “happily bark at attractive women walking past.” His explanation is that while women receive endless compliments about being gorgeous, they rarely get barked at. He may be overestimating the quality of the dating pool, but given it’s a long wait between now and Robert Eggers’ The Werwulf is, I personally can’t wait to see Jarrar in action.
At only 22, Jarrar apparently has three “long-term” relationships under his belt, and his dream girl is “hot, energetic, and has a great butt.” The trifecta.
Keanu
From: Sydney
Age: 25
Occupation: Tradie
Instagram: @keanuwainohu
A Kiwi in Sydney, Keanu moved here to play for the North Queensland Cowboys and later the Newcastle Knights before picking up the tools. He counts a sense of humour, dimples, and high energy as being among his strengths on the island. As for his type? “A brunette with pretty eyes and an athletic build.” He’ll find plenty of joy on the island, we suspect. Keanu says that while he has some “red flag energy” he would actually describe himself as a “quite soft-natured” mummy’s boy. That could be the worst of both world’s but we’ll see.
Phoebe
From: Adelaide / London
Age: 23
Occupation: Funemployed
Instagram: @febejamieson
Bringing the “fun” to unemployed is Phoebe! A self-described trust fund princess (one of the only ways to make unemployment genuinely fun), Phoebe attended undisclosed elite private schools. While she holds a commerce degree, she isn’t too good at managing her money, reportedly blowing a $70,000 inheritance from her grandmother in just six months. That’s a lot of sequined bikinis. Phoebe describes herself as a “boy crazy” romantic who falls hard and fast “all the time,” which is both a strength and a liability on Love Island.
Phoebe apparently manifested her Love Island season; we’ll see if there any “be careful what you wish for” lessons for her to learn this season.
Amanda
From: Sydney
Age: 26
Occupation: Jeweller and model
Instagram: @amandaboue
In my book, Amanda has already won best swimsuit, but we’ll have to see if she wins hearts. Described as “beautiful, strategic, emotionally intelligent, and persuasive,” I suspect Amanda falls into the group of islanders who treat finding love on the island like The Hunger Games — i.e., strategically and aggressively. Amanda is apparently arriving in Fiji hot off the breakup of a five-and-a-half-year relationship, which is the best impetus to sign up for a nationally broadcast reality TV dating show! Amanda doesn’t want a smart guy. “I want a himbo, someone who looks good but is a little bit dumb.” She might be in the right place.
In terms of her type, she is looking for someone tall with dark features, tattoos and maybe even a “slutty little hoop earring.” She also hates nonchalance, maybe she’ll be charmed by Jarrar’s barking!
Lachie
From: Sydney
Age: 26
Occupation: Chiropractor
Instagram: @lachiecubis
Asked for his selling points Lachie says: “I’ve got the body, the business, the wealth, the charm, I’m the full package.” Despite his many blessings, Lachie admits he’s found himself “in hot water” before for posting his opinions on TikTok where he moonlights as a content creator. We’re unsure what this means, but his dating requirements are fairly prescriptive (“fit, slim, and take care of themselves”), so we have our suspicions. Oli says he’ll definitely be the alpha in the villa because “I’m not a boy I’m actually a man.” We’re grateful for the clarification.
Natalie
From: Gold Coast
Age: 23
Occupation: Airline ground crew
Instagram: @__nataliemaree
Natalie is described as a “fiery pocket rocket” who spends a lot of time dealing with angry travellers whose flights have been delayed, so presumably, she’ll have plenty of stamina for the inevitable island feuds. “I am brutally honest, and it can upset some people; if I say nothing, my facial expressions will say it all — even though there’s botox there.” While she’s possibly not suited for customer service, we’re sure she’ll have plenty of stamina for island feuds.
Natalie has resorted to reality TV because she’s fatigued by commitment-phobic Gold Coast men. Like the best Love Island contestants, she falls “hard, fast, and often” (if you only have the first two, things can get tedious and sad fast). She has two serious relationships under her belt, both lasting three years, but she wants her next to be forever.
Jack
From: Gold Coast
Age: 24
Occupation: Tradie trainer
Instagram: @j.wheldon
Jack has a background in business and sales and now coaches tradies on how to improve their presentation and become more profitable. No doubt he’ll have some tips for the boys on the island. Like the best salespeople, Jack has “the gift of the gab” and is a self-described bad boy who “absolutely loves talking to women.” Jack says while he aspires to be a one-woman man, every time he thinks he’s found his girl, “someone too good-looking comes along and ruins it for me.” At least he’s self-aware (ish). Jack is a rugged guy who likes surfing, 4WD adventures, camping, and boats. So far, the women on this season aren’t exactly screaming “outdoorsy,” but we’ll wait and see.
Oli
From: Perth
Age: 26
Occupation: Personal trainer
Instagram: @oliverspitteler
Oli thinks his biggest issue with dating is that he’s “too tall and handsome,” so we already know the 6’6 personal trainer is someone audiences will find entirely relatable and non-problematic. Oli says that he gets told he looks like Tarzan “every day”, but other doppelgangers include “Aquaman and Jesus.” Can relate! His prior relationships include dalliances with international models and global influencers, but despite being a big hit on Raya, he’s resorting to Love Island to find his forever and, presumably, fame.
He says that despite his high standards, women have told him “I’m the most emotionally available guy they’ve ever met” and he absolutely “loves talking about my emotions.” Combining extreme confidence with sensitivity, we’re eager to see how things play out for this merman on dry (island) land.
Shawnee
From: Gold Coast
Age: 27
Occupation: Online fitness coach
Instagram: @shawnee.schien
Shawnee has, shockingly, just split with a previous islander, Callum Hole, so she’ll have plenty of insight into how the game is played. Hot off a breakup and with a tendency to overshare and a self-described “jealous b*tch” who “doesn’t like to share”, we’re sure the virtual personal trainer will bring plenty of drama to our screens.
Layla
From: Canberra
Age: 22
Occupation: Pilates instructor
Instagram: @laylaawilsonn
Another girl coming off a breakup, Layla’s last relationship ended when her boyfriend dumped her a week before their planned European vacation and took the holiday without her. She hasn’t let that mess with her confidence, describing herself as “the hottest girl you’ve seen from Canberra.” Layla says she expects to be treated like a princess in relationships and is used to helicopter rides and having doors opened for her. She seems like she has dating figured out, so it’s anybody’s guess how she ended up on Love Island. Her dream is a “tall, ethnic 10/10 man” with a good career and energy to match hers. We wish her luck!
Bombshells:
Zel
From: Gold Coast
Age: 28
Occupation: Model
Instagram: @merizel_dossantos
Zel was a professional footballer in the West Ham development squad before moving to the Australian league, before injuries ruled him out. He was also meant to be on Love Island UK but, for unspecified reasons, has had to resort to Australia. Zel now works as a model and speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. I have a sneaking suspicion he won’t have that many people to practise with on the island, but let’s find out. He says he’s searching for the perfect mix of “chaos and calm” — aren’t we all? Zel describes himself as “tall, dark and handsome” and alluded to his “third leg, if you know what I mean” in the official promo trailer. At least he’s putting all his cards on the table.
Ava
From: Perth
Age: 24
Occupation: Traffic controller
Instagram: @ava.toulson
Ava swapped Newcastle, UK, for sunny Perth, and I suspect she has the best hair extensions of any traffic controller in Australia. Ava says she’s never been rejected and she has a theory as to why: “I have the personality, and I’ve got the boobies.” There’s a first time for everything.
Ava has three serious relationships under her belt and takes playing the role of “woman scorned” seriously: when she caught her last boyfriend cheating on her, she put dog poo in his letterbox and slashed his tyres. While this kind of behaviour doesn’t go down well with law enforcement, it does go down well on reality TV, so I’m sure she’ll be a hit. Ava is looking for a man who can make her laugh, match her energy, and stay loyal—and she may find two out of three on the island.
Jordan
From: Canberra
Age: 24
Occupation: Airbnb owner
Instagram: @jxrdankaho
Jordan is a premium nepo baby! The son of the former Prime Minister of Tonga, he’s well-travelled, charming, and a self-described “self-made international landlord.” Jordan owns a property portfolio in Tonga, where he rents premium apartments to diplomats and high-profile visitors. A well-travelled ladies’ man, he reportedly has “two girls in every port” and says “women usually fight over me.” The classic Love Island dilemma is that men like this end up with several girls in the same, very confined, port, so I have high hopes for the drama Jordan will cause on the island. He’s looking for a petite Latina hottie with a “big personality.”
Sammi
From: Whangārei, New Zealand
Age: 23
Occupation: Model and content creator
Instagram: @sammi.anni
Born in South Africa, Sammi moved to New Zealand later in life and won Miss New Zealand. But even with two islands and a crown, she’s found finding a boyfriend hard. Her last relationship was years ago, and despite flings with several All Black rugby players, she hasn’t been kissed in two years. She’s undaunted heading to the island—after beating out 170 women for the Miss New Zealand crown, she’s confident she can bat off a few bombshells for a man in the villa.
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