Hated to icon: The biggest Love Island girl redemption arcs ranked by how legendary

Another season of Love Island has come to an end, so it’s time to look back on some of the most iconic Islanders. All these girls stirred up trouble in their seasons, which made people dislike them at some point. But things can change quickly during the eight weeks in the villa, and they won our hearts in the end.

Here’s a ranking of all Love Island’s biggest redemption arcs – no arguments allowed.

6. Harriett Blackmore

Credits: ITV

On both the 2024 season of Love Island and the second season of Love Island All Stars, Hariett caused drama everywhere she went. People accused her of being a hypocrite for kissing guys who were coupled up and then kicking off when anyone did the same to her. But one thing we can all agree on is that Harriett was entertaining. I respect her commitment to being messy, she was great TV.

5. Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu

Credits: ITV

Ekin-Su has a big personality, and that’s hit or miss on Love Island. In season eight, she made viewers and Islanders sceptical with her dramatic way of speaking and emotional outbursts. Some of the girls thought she was fake, and we all remember Davide’s speech, when he called her an “actress” and a “liar”.

But Davide and Ekin-Su’s love-hate relationship had me on the edge of my seat. Their combined charisma made me like Ekin-Su more and more, until I was basically just watching the season for them. The British public was rooting for the pair, and they finished in first place that season. What a rollercoaster.

4. Chloe Burrows

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Credits: ITV

Before she entered the villa, Chloe was already a topic of discussion. In her introduction video, she spoke about drunk calling a co-worker with a wife and kids most weekends – which did NOT go down well on Twitter. Her posh accent and confidence put a lot of people off.

Once the season actually started, she had too many iconic moments to count. The arguments involving her up-and-down relationship with Toby still come up on my TikTok feed four years after their season ended. They finished in second place, and Chloe is still loved today.

3. Maura Higgins

Credits: ITV

Season five was iconic for many reasons, and one of them is Maura. The ring-girl from Ireland shocked everyone when she went straight for Tommy Fury, who was already coupled up with Molly-Mae. Her flirting style was a bit too full-on for some people, and her habit of stepping on toes made her unpopular in the villa.

But Maura is just way too funny not to love. She also proved herself as a girl’s girl when she immediately told Anna that Jordan was cracking on with another girl only two days after making things exclusive. To this day I use the term “fanny flutters” because of her.

2. Yasmin Pettet

Credits: ITV

Yasmin is one of the most unique Islanders to grace our screens. As a bombshell, her job was to cause chaos, and that’s exactly what she did. From making jokes about threesomes with coupled-up Dejon to bragging about splitting up marriages, people hated Yasmin at first.

In the end, her uniqueness is what made her loveable. People started calling her YasGPT, poking fun at her very monotone and direct way of speaking, and her incredible posture. By the end of the season, Yasmin finished third place with Jamie at her side and a completely different image.

1. Amber Gill

Credits: ITV

If you watched season five of Love Island, you’ll remember the dramatic opinion change on Amber. As an OG Islander, she had her pick of the boys but came across as rude. Her high standards and low tolerance for nonsense meant she was always in one argument or another.

We saw a different side to Amber when she coupled up with Michael. They seemed to bring out the best in each other and would have probably won the series together – if it wasn’t for Casa Amor.

I still remember where I was when Amber came back alone and Michael had partnered up with Joanna Chimonides. From then on, Amber became the nation’s sweetheart. She went from hated to season five winner – which is why I have to put her at the top of the list. If we’re being real, no one voted for Amber and Greg O’Shea as a couple. Amber was basically a solo winner.

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Featured images by: ITV

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