We are fully aware that we are putting a giant target on our backs by putting this particular Love Island article out there, but our editor asked us to do this and we love getting paid.
So, a disclaimer: we physically couldn't include ALL of our faves in this list because that would take far more time than we have here at heat Towers – not when there's Love Island 2025 exclusives just waiting to be written. And we have to say, the dumped Islanders are giving this year.
So, we went with our gut and selected the best of the best of the best. Guts plural, as all of the heatworld squad chucked names into this mix. These are Islanders that over the last ten years have made us swoon, have stood on business, have called out disrespect and toxicity, have brought the drama, and have made us belly laugh.
Here we go *do do do do do do do* 🏝️
Grace Jackson
The Love Island 2024 bombshell turned All Stars 2025 bombshell reminded us all that boundaries are important AF right from the start of any relationship. The way she brought the wrath when her now boyfriend Luca Bish kissed Samie Elishi in that challenge...
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
We're hardly going to exclude the terrace queen from this list are we? Dubbed by many as the ultimate bombshell, we knew we had an icon on our hands from the moment Ekin-Su crawled across that terrace to lay one on Jay Younger amid one of her many rows with Davide Sanclimenti. She recently split from her All Stars 2025 bae Curtis Pritchard, which in our minds means this Love Island tale is far from over...
Tanya Manhenga
Tanya divided opinion during winter Love Island 2023 after she brought Martin Akinola back from Casa Amor, severing any romance between her and Shaq Muhammad. Tanya and Shaq eventually worked things out and made a good go of it for a couple of years. Looking back, our Tanya really delivered: she brought drama, rawness, love, vulnerability and a multitude of memeable moments. And that 'Will you take me back, speech?' will remain with us for years to come.
Yasmin Pettet
Posture queen, Yasmin, has only been in the Love Island 2025 villa for a couple of weeks and already she's being called an 'elite Islander' by the likes of Iain Stirling. And to be fair, YEAH. She's exploring connections, she's not afraid to step on toes, she's loyal AF and did we mention the good posture? We secretly hope she doesn't find love in the villa, so that she gets an invite back for All Stars 2026.
Ovie Soko
Some Islanders need no introduction. We thought this pic of Ovie Soko would suffice.
Maura Higgins
Oh, come on, Maura Higgins is now part of the bloomin' hosting team at Love Island USA HQ, ffs. For that and many reasons she will always be the best of the best.
Olivia Attwood
Arguably the greatest Islander of all time, fans fell in love with Olivia Attwood's no-nonsense attitude and impeccable one-liners back in 2017. She's gone on to make documentaries, present, podcast and model. The best.
Kem Cetinay
An unforgettable Islander comes in the form of Love Island 2017 winner, Kem Cetinay. Kem and his bromance with Chris Hughes is one of the reasons season three was so iconic. Spitting bars with Chris, cutting everyone's hair and kicking off when Amber Davies - who Kem won the show with - was picked to go for a date with Theo Campbell.
'Who the f**k's Theo? Who's Theo?'
Truly outstanding telly.
Since then Kem has starred on Dancing on Ice, been involved in some presenting roles and taken part in Soccer Aid.
Shaughna Phillips
Oh, Shaughna Phillips, we owe her and chiropractor a lot. After all, she single-handedly held up the very first winter Islander on her own. Congrats, hun. Now and forever.
Whitney Adebayo
Whitney Adebayo was one of the biggest stars to come out of Love Island 2023, and she is still making waves in the industry. A true Love Island queen.
Toni Laites
Toni Laites might be a newbie to the Love Island multiverse, but she is carrying herself like a true icon in the Love Island 2025 villa. The American bombshell oozes respect, dignity, loyalty, fire, self-belief and beauty from every perfect pore.
Anton Danyluk
He might have a complicated relationship with Love Island (and fair), but we will never forget the way Anton Danyluk told Mitch Taylor what we were all thinking in the All Stars 2024 villa. A respectful gent through and through.
Amber Gill
No best of the best list would be complete without Love Island 2019 winner, Amber Gill. We will always love Islander, influencer and author Amber for calling out utter bulls**t online. She takes no nonsense and is a real shining star in the showbiz world.