Ignore the Love Island photographer – here’s what the 2022 Islanders *actually* look like

There is one simple fact on this Earth, and that is that the Love Island photographer always does everyone SO dirty. Year after year, it never changes and the promo pics get, if anything, worse. Sorry but what’s with the flags in this year’s? What in the Les Mis is going on there? It makes me even miss the classic plain, bright backgrounds – seriously what happened to them??

So ahead of the launch next week of Love Island 2022 (I cannot believe this will be season eight), here’s everything you need to know about the new Islanders, their Instagram handles, ages, jobs, and what they actually look like in real life:

Paige Thorne

Age: 24

Instagram: @paigethornex

Welsh paramedic Paige is from Swansea, and she says she needs to “break out” and “broaden her horizons” by being on Love Island. From her Instagram, she loves a night out in a bodycon dress and a sunny beach holiday.

Paige apparently cooks a banging roast dinner: “I am a good cook and I’m quite mumsy so I’ll look after anyone that needs looking after. If I had to pick a signature dish, it would probably be a Sunday dinner. My roasties are up there, I think Gordon Ramsay would be impressed – I think he would be like ‘9/10 or 10/10’.”

Dami Hope

Age: 26

Instagram: @damihope

There’s no two ways about it, Dami is SO cool. He loves a bucket hat and tbh his entire Instagram is such a vibe. He’s from Dublin and is a scientist, a senior microbiologist to be precise. Fit and clever x

Dami is in to star signs – “I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. If they had something they wanted to do or something they were passionate about, I’d make sure that even if it’s something I’m not talented at I’d get talented at it just so it helps them. I’m really good at being in a team and actually looking after each other.”

Indiyah Polack

Age: 23

Instagram: @1ndiyah

Another incredibly cool Love Islander is Indiyah, one look at her Instagram and you want to be best friends with her. She’s a hotel waitress from London, and her Instagram says she’s also a fashion model.

She said she’s ready to bring “a lot of flavour and vibrancy” to the villa, adding that she’s down to earth and doesn’t really have a type. She’s looking forward to getting to know someone one-on-one and building “a real connection”.

Liam Llewellyn

Age: 22

Instagram: @liamllew_

Liam is from Newport in South Wales, and he’s a student, studying strength and conditioning for his Masters, so it’s no surprise that his Instagram features a LOT of gym shots.

“I wear my heart on my sleeve, I can’t hide how I feel about anyone. I’m probably quite emotional as well come to think about it,” he said. He said his mum would describe him as a “little sl*t” – okay then?

Tasha Ghouri

Age: 23

Instagram: @tashaghouri

Model and dancer Tasha is from Thirsk in North Yorkshire. She’s another new Islander who is SUCH a vibe, her Instagram is full of vibey outfits. Tasha describes her dating life as a “shambles” and is looking for someone she can travel with. “I’m definitely a party animal. I love my prosecco and to have a dance – I’m always on the dance floor,” she says.

She says she’s loyal and puts her friends and family before herself, saying they would describe her as a “nap queen”. Tasha also said her friends would also call her inspirational because of her hearing and my cochlear implant. “I inspire quite a lot of people because I’m really open about it,” she said. She has another Instagram page called @talkswithtashax, the bio says: “‘It’s not a disability, it’s a superpower’. This is all about raising awareness for the deaf community. All about the love, advice & positivity”.

Davide Sanclimenti

Age: 27

Instagram: @davidesancli

Davide is a business owner from Rome who lives in Manchester, and from the sounds of it he’s going to be playing up the “Italian charm” in the villa. “I’m going to be the Italian stallion in the villa!”, he said. “With my Italian charm, I can also be a very romantic guy. I’m good looking and I’ve realised since I first arrived in Manchester, a lot of English girls actually love me.”

He said he’s looking for his “soulmate” who he can build a family with. From Davide’s Instagram it looks like he enjoys a rooftop bar, nights out, and boxing. Maybe he’ll be the villa’s next Tommy Fury!

Gemma Owen

Age: 19

Instagram: @gemowen_1

Gemma is an international dressage rider and business owner from Chester – and she’s the daughter of footballer Michael Owen! She’s got a LOT of pics showing her in Dubai, aka influencer-land, and lots with her horse, naturally.

She said sport is a big part of her life, given her family and who her dad is. “I would say I’m very competitive. [When it comes to relationships] I will always go for what I want. But at the same time, I’m not going to mess up something for someone who is in a proper relationship or get in the way of a couple if they have a genuine connection. I wouldn’t do anything to another girl that I wouldn’t be happy with them doing to me.”

Ikenna Ekwonna

Age: 23

Instagram: @ikenna._

Ikenna is from Nottingham and works in pharmaceutical sales. He’s just had his graduation from Nottingham Trent, where he got a 2:1 in biomedical sciences – another very smart Love Islander!

He’s had one relationship in the past and now is looking for someone, and thinks he’ll “bring spontaneity and excitement” to the villa. “I’m not really shy to speak to people and I don’t really care too much about what people think.”

Andrew Le Page

Age: 27

Instagram: @andrewlepage

International real estate agent Andrew is from Guernsey but also spends a lot of time in Dubai for his job. His Insta bio says he’s also a qualified personal trainer.

“When I’m with someone I’m very loyal, I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them,” he said. Andrew said one of the most romantic things he’s done was when he tricked an ex and said he hadn’t got her anything for her birthday, but then revealed they were off to Paris the next day. How nice x

Amber Beckford

Age: 24

Instagram: @amberbeckford

Amber’s Love Island promo shot made her look FUN, and her Instagram is nothing different. She has an excellent sunglasses collection by the looks of things, which I’m hoping she’ll be bringing into the villa a la Kaz’s iconic sunnies last year.

Amber is from London and works as a nanny, saying she’s patient with kids but adults still annoy her. She’s hoping to bring fun to the villa and admitted she can be opinionated. Amber says she hates guys who show off, saying she’ll definitely get the ick if she’s confronted with “show-offy” guys in the villa.

Luca Bish

Age: 23

Instagram: @lucabish

Luca is a fishmonger from Brighton. He came out of a four-year relationship about a year ago: “I was enjoying being in a relationship, there were just things I didn’t like and we drifted apart.” Now he’s looking for love, talking about “how many couples [Love Island’s] genuinely made”, including “quite a few kids”.

Luca’s Instagram shows him having fun with mates at festivals, and an image of him sitting on some stairs captioned “Do you like raisins? 🍇🃏”. No, I don’t know what that means either.

Love Island 2022 starts on ITV2 at 9pm on Monday 6th June. For all the latest Love Island news, memes, quizzes and gossip – follow The Holy Church of Love Island on Facebook.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Quiz: Can you match the iconic Love Island quote to the Islander who said it?

• Okay but how do the Love Island phones *actually* work? Here’s everything we know

• Quiz: Can you remember who all your fave Love Islanders were originally coupled up with?

Featured image via Instagram @tashaghouri @lucabish @1ndiyah