Love Island All Stars Episode 1

All the tea and all my thoughts from the first episode of Love Island All Stars 2025.

Jan 14, 2025

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! And the most wonderful time now comes twice a year thanks to Love Island All Stars. I pretty much eat, sleep and breathe Love Island UK. I consider myself a connoisseur, so much so that I’ve been dedicating TikToks to my dream casting, my reaction to the cast announcement, and now the first episode. But instead of posting 10 minute videos - I can yap, especially when it comes to Love Island - I decided to take to the newsletter. Welcome to By The Things That I Love (Island). Get it?

Normally, I’ll write one of these a week and recap the episodes Sunday-Friday. But being the first episode, I wanted to get one out right away.

Since the majority of this episode was meeting the All Stars, let’s start with some quick thoughts on each islander in the starting lineup - which I was actually very happy with. It feels like the perfect mix of people spanning the seasons. And not to toot my own horn, but 4 of the 12 were in my dream cast video (and 2 of the 12 I swear I was going to put in but second guessed myself).

Curtis Pritchard, Season 5: I know a lot of people are anti-Curtis and I was too, for a long time. But last year I had the opportunity to go to a Love Island Games event where I met Curtis, and my opinion of him completely changed. He was so nice and talked to me - and everyone else there - for so long. And he was VERY good looking in person. I get what all those season 5 girls were saying now. Anyway, I was happy to see Curtis in the line up now that we’re friends. I’ll be rooting for him.
Just providing some proof.
Catherine Agbaje, Season 10: I was, am, and will forever be a Catherine stan. There was a moment there during her season (post Casa Amor - if you, know you know) where she lost me, but she got me right back. Unfortunately I am a Scatherine apologist. Tell me those two weren’t soulmates. I’m hoping he somehow finds his way back into the All Stars villa for her - I mean 3 series in one year must qualify him as an all star. Whether or not Scott van-der-Sluis goes in for her, I’m very excited to see more of Catherine.
Olivia Hawkins, Season 9: This is a controversial one. No need to sugar coat it, Olivia was a bully on her season. And I’m not even being dramatic, this girl was a literal bully. A lot of people were unhappy to see her back on the show. I also would have been if not for something I like to call “The Arabella Effect”. Last year, Arabella Chi from season 5 - who I couldn’t stand - came into All Stars. As the season progressed, we got to see a lot more of her than in season 5, and while I wouldn’t say I’m her biggest fan, I’m certainly not her biggest hater anymore. I really think Olivia has the potential to redeem herself in a similar way this season. And if not, at least she’s entertaining.
Elma Pazar, Season 5: While a lay fan might not remember Elma, I have loved her since her brief stint in the season 5 villa. Most people remember her as “the one who walked in with Maura Higgins”. Maybe you remember that she was coupled up with Anton Danyluk for a couple days, then dumped with Joe Garrat when the islanders had to chose one person from the two “least compatible” couples. She’s hilarious and I seriously think she deserved to stay longer than she did. I also loved watching her on The Only Way Is Essex. She is going to bring so much fun to this villa.
Kaz Crossley, Season 4: We first met Kaz during season 4’s Casa Amor where Josh Denzel famously chose to recouple with her instead of sticking with Georgia Steele. Legend says that Kaz Crossley sparked the birth of the iconic, “I’m loyal babe”. Kaz is fun and cool and a true Love Island OG. I really thought she was big to return, but I’m glad she did. I’m really excited to see her on the show again.
Ronnie Vint, Season 11: I ragged on Ronnie pretty loudly and publicly over the summer. To be fair, he deserved some of it; he acted pretty atrociously in the villa at first. Once he reunited with Harriett Blackmore I started to warm up to him. Then they both got dumped. So I’m actually really excited to see him on All Stars, and I’m REALLY hoping they bring Harriett in as a bombshell.
Gabby Allen, Season 3: Gabby was a complete wildcard in this line up for me - in the best way. I had kind of forgotten about her but I was so happy to see her as a part of this line up. She made it to the final of season 3 with Marcel - who is also in there, we’ll get to that - and was with him pretty much the entire season. Part of me wants them to rekindle, I really liked them together in season 3. Time will tell.
Luca Bish, Season 8: Let me take a deep breath before I start this one. Now, I had heard rumblings that Luca was going to be in the villa so as a certified Luca hater, I had some time to sit with it. And I’m actually good with it, IF he behaves. I would say “The Arabella Effect” could come into play here, but we saw a lot more of Luca than the others I’ve used that for. I think Luca had a lot of potential on his season, before he got creepily possessive and became a bully. I think he may still have potential - he’s gorgeous, unfortunately - but he is going to have to redeem himself in a HUGE way. I’m not sure he can do it, but we’ll see.
Scott Thomas, Season 2: Once upon a time, the islanders lived in a huge villa with a beach entry pool and they got drunk and smoked cigarettes and had recouplings during the DAY. That’s the last time we saw Scott Thomas on the show. I always liked Scott, I’m really happy to see him back. We needed some season 2 representation on All Stars.
India Reynolds, Season 5: Another season 5 bombshell people may have forgotten is India Reynolds. Not me though, I completely called this one in my dream cast video. India made it to the final with Ovie Soko - surely you guys know Ovie - and was also who Jordan Hames infamously courted after making Anna Vakili his girlfriend. TWO DAYS. India didn’t get enough time on her original season so I’m very excited to see more of her on All Stars.
Nas Majeed, Season 6: Seeing Nas announced for All Stars was how I learned that he was single. He’d been dating Eva Zapico, who he brought back from Casa Amor, for four years. I loved Nas on his season, I think he’s a perfect All Stars pick. I also always thought he should have stayed with Demi Jones, and even though she was just on All Stars last year, a part of me hopes they bring her back in so they can rekindle.
Marcel Somerville, Season 3: Last but potentially least is Marcel - sorry you might only remember him as the guy that was in the Blazin’ Squad. I loved Marcel during his season, but the stuff I’ve heard about him since them definitely gives me pause. He’s almost 40 - aging is a blessing don’t get me WRONG, but should we be on Love Island when we’re 40? - and he technically isn’t even divorced yet. I don’t really anticipate him lasting too long in there, but again, we’ll see.

Would you believe I knew all of those names and seasons off the dome? Didn’t Google a single one. I truly am the Love Island UK encyclopedia.

Now, let’s get into the rest of the episode.

Red Flags Game

The Islanders were asked to gather at the fire pit for a game where the girls would present a red flag to one of the boys. Marcel received one from Elma and one from Gabby; both of whom chalked it up to him being a cheater. Fair. Luca received one from Catherine and one from Kaz; Catherine said she thought he’d just been sleeping around since his last relationship; and Kaz only gave him the red flag because she thought he was too young for her. Ronnie received one from Olivia; who dropped the bomb that Ronnie had messaged her when he was still with Harriett. Teaaaaaa.

Gabby and Marcel hash it out

Because they’ll be living together in this villa for who knows how long, Gabby and Marcel decide to have a chat to clear the air. Earlier in the episode we learned that Marcel cheated on Gabby while she was in the gym on a vacation they went on together. That’s truly the most insane thing I’ve ever heard. I wouldn’t blame her if she had bolted out of the villa the second she saw him. But she’s a bigger person than I am, because she was extremely civil with Marcel. They agreed to be friends and to support each other in finding love in the villa. Very mature. Not a great start to a reality show though.

Coupling Up

Maya comes back into the villa looking unreal as always and tells the islanders it’s time to couple up. But of course, the decision is not down to them, the couples have been decided by the public. Here are the couples and my thoughts on them:

Kaz and Curtis: Kinda saw this coming, kinda didn’t. I’m good with it for now. I kind of felt a vibe between Curtis and Catherine (and would you believe me if I told you I had the exact same conversation with him about Dublin) but Kaz and Curtis seem to be into each other so let’s see where it goes.
India and Scott: Called this from the second the cast was announced. If they work out, these are my winners. First of all, what a GORGEOUS couple, but I think there could be a really good romance here. Especially since they’re already friends. We love a friends to lovers arc.
Olivia and Luca: Completely saw this one coming. But the bullies together. Together, they could either have the biggest redemption in Love Island history; or be the most insufferable couple we’ve ever seen. My money’s on the latter but like I said, I love the Arabella Effect. I don’t see these two being super romantically compatible though. We’ll see.
Catherine and Nas: I knew this was coming. The British public will never fail to lump two people of color together. This is going nowhere, we know it, they know it. I think it could be a beautiful friendship, but they better bring people in for my girl AND my guy.
Elma and Ronnie: Now THIS is gonna be fun. These two are hilarious on their own so I can’t wait to see what they’re like together. A proper Essex bird and London geezer. Have I earned my British card yet?
Gabby and Marcel: I mean there’s no way this wasn’t going to happen. Before tonight’s episode I would have hoped for this, but after hearing the full details of what Marcel did, I feel bad that Gabby is stuck in this situation. I don’t think these two are going to rekindle now and I think it’s for the best. I do think Marcel will be voted out pretty early; not sure who is going to couple up with him knowing what we know.

Ekin M*F** Su

We knew this episode wasn’t going to end without a bombshell. Hello, have you watched any first episode over the last eight seasons? And they brought in the bombshell to end all bombshells. Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu struts into that villa like she owns the place. And she may as well. I love this woman.

Maya tells the islanders that in 24 hours, Ekin-Su will steal one of the boys, BUT she gets to try before she buys and date 3 of them tonight. And that’s where the episode cut off. Classic Love Island.

I’m predicting that Ekin will chose Scott, Ronnie and Curtis for her dates. Maaaaaybe Luca if she feels like she needs a friend, but something tells me she’ll be just fine.

That’s all for today, I’ll be back on Friday with a recap of this week’s episodes. Make sure to subscribe to By The Things That I Love AND By The Things That I Love (Island) here to be notified when new posts drop!

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xoxo

Shelby

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