Before stepping onto the sun-soaked terrace of the Love Island villa, many contestants were hard at work leading surprisingly normal lives. The allure of reality television draws viewers across the globe, but have you ever wondered what these stars were doing prior to their fame? It turns out, they held down jobs like accounting, make-up artistry, and construction. Welcome to Love Island All Stars, where the stories of familiar faces reveal the diverse and intriguing backgrounds of its contestants.
Take Luca Bish, for example. Before gracing the screens as part of Love Island's ninth season, Luca was something of a catch—operatively indulging his family’s fishmonger business, MCB Seafoods, which has been thriving for 25 years. This role as the middleman connects local fishermen with high-end restaurants, showcasing the clamoring demand for fresh seafood.
Then there's Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu. Long before she gained fame as one of the most talked-about contestants, Ekin-Su had already made her mark on television back home, mesmerizing audiences with her performances on the Turkish series Kuzey Yıldızı İlk Aşk. Juggling small modeling gigs and more serious roles—such as portraying a serial killer on another Turkish soap opera—she was also no stranger to the spotlight.
Grace Jackson stepped onto the scene with her own social media management agency, blending her entrepreneurial spirit with some high-octane events and modeling experiences. Ron Hall, on the other hand, took a more conservative route; he worked as a financial advisor before the villa, running his firm RH Wealth Management, but has since transitioned to podcasting and social media influence.
Meanwhile, Tina Stinnes exhibited her business-savvy by launching her sustainable swimwear brand, Litora Studio, after her studies. Her work has even landed her features in prominent publications like Vogue and Tatler, which undoubtedly complements her island experience. Similarly, Casey O’Gorman, who once toyed with recruitment consultancy, has transformed his talent for matching people with partners to romantic pursuits on the show.
India Reynolds enjoyed modeling before coupling up with Ovie Soko, gracing the covers of men’s magazines like Nuts and Zoo. There's also Marcel Somerville, who boasted of fame as part of the UK hip-hop group Blazin’ Squad well before he entered the villa, cementing his celebrity status post-Show.
Elma Pazar and Catherine Agbaje offered contrasting careers as well—while Elma was engaged as both accountant and eyelash technician, Catherine had climbed the ranks as an accomplished commercial real estate agent. Olivia Hawkins, prior to her reality TV stint, focused on social media influencing—an occupation not too far from her current exploits as she garners even more followers.
Ronnie Vint’s background as a semi-professional footballer allows for some colorful anecdotes about balancing sports and fame. Scott Thomas, among celebrity circles, spent his pre-fame years as a club promoter, constantly engaging party-goers and event enthusiasts.
Gabby Allen’s vibrant energy had her dancing and instructing fitness classes before she hit the small screen, aligning her interests seamlessly with her current life. Curtis Pritchard has often been flagged as a star on both dance floors and reality shows; he worked as both dancer and choreographer long before he enchanted viewers on Love Island.
Finally, Kaz Crossley’s early endeavors as both model and makeup artist put her on the path to success by associatively working with well-known figures, including Stormzy. With all of these diverse experiences, it’s clear contestants from each season of Love Island All Stars have not only charm and good looks but also unique professional histories.
The transition from typical nine-to-fives to the bright lights of fame can be astonishing, showcasing the varied journeys from ordinary to extraordinary. And as viewers witness these dynamics, it raises questions about the nature of celebrity and influence. So, as fans watch the ensuing drama and connection, one can't help but admire the distinct performances cultivated by each islander marking their territory on this notable dating show.