Hit reality TV series Love Island drew to a close on August 1, with Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti being crowned the winning couple of Love Island 2022.
The couple dubbed as ‘Turkish Delight and Italian Stallion’ kickstarted their life outside the villa, by being the toast of social media in a now-viral Instagram post that has garnered over half a million likes. A total of 3.4 million viewers watched the Love Island final, the biggest since 2019, which is a massive amount of eye-balls.
This means the scene is set for all the Islanders of season eight to build on momentum and take their careers to the next level. What happens once the cameras stop rolling and Islanders hop on the plane back home?
Is it a case of reality bites, or embracing a new life, on the arms of a new love, with brand-new challenges? Love Island stars can enjoy a lucrative life if Lady Luck is in their favour, from mega-bucks brand deals to more television appearances.
Unfortunately, most of the former Love Island couples that were a big hit when they first left the villa have either faded into obscurity or split from their partners. We look at the past seven series’ of Love Island winners to see what they’re up to now.
Season one Love Island winners in 2015: Jess Hayes and Max Morley
Did they stay together? No
Careers after Love Island: recruiter, social media influencer
Can you believe 2015 was the year that saw the first-ever series of Love Island air? The couple beat favourites Hannah Elizabeth and Jonathan Clark to the winning couple spot.
It wasn’t all rosy, as the couple broke up just six weeks after leaving the villa. Max dated a few reality television stars including Love Islanders Zara Holland from series two and was linked to Charlotte Crosby.
Since an appearance on Ex on the Beach in 2017, Max has kept a low profile and according to LinkedIn, has been working in recruitment since 2018. It appears Max found being under the constant hot glare of numerous cameras off-putting.
He chose to keep his partner’s name under wraps, because all that is known of his most recent relationship is that the couple have a son. Jess reinvented herself as a social media influencer and got engaged to Dan Lawry, a mechanic in 2018.
Although Jess and Dan are no longer together, they share a son called Presley.
Season two Love Island winners in 2016: Cara De La Hoyde and Nathan Massey
Did they stay together? Yes
Careers after Love Island: full-time parent, small business owner
Cara and Nathan are one of only two winning couples to stay together. Within six months of leaving the villa, carpenter Nathan took a job on a building site. His Instagram profile states that he is a full-time dad who loves golf.
Cara is co-owner of a children’s clothing store and has over 1 million followers on Instagram. The couple have two children; Delilah aged four and 21-month-old son Freddie.
Season three Love Island winners in 2017: Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay
Did they stay together? No
Careers after Love Island: West End star, restaurateur
This glamorous couple lasted four months outside the villa. Despite their short-lived romance, they have both enjoyed career success since being crowned winning couple.
Kem co-presented Love Island: The Morning After and even dipped his toe into musical waters when he released a single with fellow ex-Islander Chris Hughes. Kem is one of the creative contestants of Love Island.
Not content with conquering reality TV, he went on to open a restaurant in Essex called Array. This eatery has an impressive 418 Google reviews with an average of four stars out of five, serving Japanese BBQ-inspired dishes, cocktails and shisha.
Amber has carved out a successful musical career following her stunning West End debut on Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5. She continues to make television appearances including on shows such as When Reality TV Goes Horribly Wrong, which is a round-up of TV fails.
Season four Love Island winners in 2018: Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham
Did they stay together? No
Careers after Love Island: builder, actress
Marriage plans were not on the horizon for 2018’s Love Island winning couple, despite Jack’s announcement of wedding plans soon after leaving the villa. The couple lasted five months and continue to make headway in their respective careers.
Jack shares a child called Blossom with Casey Ranger but the pair are no longer together.
Dani continues to build on her media portfolio and is frequently seen on television including a starring role on EastEnders playing alongside her father, Danny Dyer. She shares a child called Santiago with Sammy Kimmence but the couple are no longer together.
Season five Love Island winners in 2019: Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea
Did they stay together? No
Careers after Love Island: rugby player, romance novelist
Greg reportedly dumped Amber by text just 39 days after leaving the villa, in what is thought to be one of the shortest romances of winning couples on Love Island. Greg focused on his rugby career and even shunned big brand deals, choosing rugby training for the Tokyo Olympics instead.
Amber continues to enjoy screen-time and was seen on ITV series The Full Treatment. She has also written a romance novel called Until I Met You which is an Amazon bestseller.
Season six Love Island winners in 2020: Finn Tapp and Paige Turley
Did they stay together? Yes
Careers after Love Island: singer, TV star
Winners of the first winter edition of Love Island were Paige and Finley. Finn is a former semi-professional footballer who previously played for Oxford City and Milton Keynes Dons. He continues to build on his media portfolio.
Paige was used to being in the limelight before appearing in the villa, having appeared on Britain’s Got Talent aged just 14 years old. She has also previously dated popstar Lewis Capaldi.
It seems her love for music has stayed with her, as she is currently embarking on a musical career. Paige and Finn live together and make frequent media appearances.
Season seven Love Island winners in 2021: Millie Court and Liam Reardon
Did they stay together? No
Careers after Love Island: social media influencer, property
Millie and Liam were thought to be one of Love Island’s most successful romances. However the pair broke up recently but remain friends.
It is thought the pair grew apart, a split that has seen them move out of their Essex home. Liam’s Instagram profile states that he is a food lover who is into fitness and the outdoors.
He has expressed an interest in real estate and reportedly hopes to start up his own property business of buying, renovating and selling houses.
Millie is a social media influencer with over 2 million followers and recently graced the front cover of a fashion magazine.
Love Island has already opened applications for its ninth season, so if you feel inspired by the Love Island couples, get applying now.
READ MORE:
- Love Island viewers shocked to discover Davide Sanclimenti’s real job and net worth
- Michael Owen reacts to daughter Gemma finishing second on Love Island: 'She's done us proud!'
- Love Island reunion date revealed – and it's just days away
- Love Island's Ekin-Su could go 'beyond' Molly-Mae as most successful contestant
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