It's back. As a cold weather spell hits the UK and Nottingham saw its glimpses of snow yesterday on Monday, January 16, the heat was turned up on ITV with the return of Love Island.
Set in South Africa, there may have been a breeze running through the villa but temperatures were soon running hot as the dating show kicked off with the new contestants picking their first partners.
The welcome sight of winter sunshine came in the form of a winter edition of Love Island - an additional series of the show that was first introduced in 2020. As viewers watched contestants arrive at the Ludus Magnus villa, the swimwear-clad hopefuls took in the luxurious villa that is to be their home for the next few weeks with its Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool and iconic firepit.
Meeting each other for the first time, viewers watched the boys arrive at the stylish pad before host Maya Jama stepped in and introduced the girls. This year it was the ladies who got the chance to select their first man in the initial coupling up, and the drama began from the get go.
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One Islander, 27-year-old Olivia Hawkins from Brighton, instantly made an impression. The glam girl, who has worked as a body double for Hollywood star Emma Watson and former Corrie actress Michelle Keegan, walked through the doors in hot pink bikini, heels and denim shorts, instantly turning heads.
Olivia's past jobs include playing a waitress in the 2021 Bond flick No Time To Die, according to Manchester Evening News. She has also worked on a film with Jason Statham, who she had "a nice 10-minute convo about life" with, and has worked as a ring girl for Youtuber and boxer KSI.
As the girls were choosing the boys, Olivia made a beeline for Manchester science and PE teacher Kai Fagan. The semi-professional Burnage RFC rugby player was a 'steal' from her by fellow Islander Tanyel Revan. However, as the selections continued, so did the swaps and Olivia ended up with sheep farmer Will Young. Asked how she felt about it by host Maya Jama, Olivia just said: "It is what it is."
But it wasn't the selection drama that sparked the interest of some social media users. Some viewers were distracted by Olivia's outfit. One person tweeted: "Olivia looks like she just finished Christmas dinner with her shorts like that."
Another said: "Button your shorts." And a third joined in: "The shorts?????" The comments continued with: "It’s actually mad I’ve never seen anyone wear shorts on love island Lool."
Other Twitter users asked: "Why's she got a pair of unbuttoned shorts on?" While someone else wrote: "Olivia seems to have forgotten how to button her shorts."
But not everyone was perplexed by the shorts styling. One person wrote: "Olivia is an icon I’m obsessed THE JEAN SHORTS she’s an absolute GIRL BOSS." Another said: "I already love Olivia's energy. The jean shorts, the ditzy energy. Calling herself a cougar, I live." And another cheered: "Yesssss love the fact that she entered wearing shorts."
Some viewers reckon that of the 10 new Islanders, it will be Olivia that is going to 'bring the drama'. Others have said they think she reminds them of Maura Higgins from Love Island 2019. "The first episode is only half way through and the drama pot is already stirring? I’m seated. I know Olivia is going to be trouble," said one viewer. Another decided: "SHE WILL BRING THE DRAMA." And others agreed: "Olivia is giving me @MauraHiggins vibes." With someone else adding: "Olivia this seasons Maura."
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