SOPHIE MONK
LOVE ISLAND AUSTRALIA IS BACK AND ITS HOST WAS THRILLED TO GET THE TEXT!
For Sophie Monk, returning to host the third season of Love Island Australia was a no-brainer. “I love the fact that every age group can relate to this show,” Monk, 41, tells WHO. “Everyone knows what it’s like to experience young love and for it to feel like your new relationship is the centre of your universe. It doesn’t matter if you’re 80, you can remember those feelings.”
Monk fronted the rst two seasons of the show, which lmed in Spain in 2018 and Fiji in 2019. This time around, the hot, young singles who are looking for love will call a luxe villa in the Byron Bay hinterland home. All the action will be hilariously narrated by comedian Stephan Mullan. “It’s perfect,” says Monk. “I’d say I’ve travelled most of the world and Australia is by far the most beautiful country. And the show is called Love Island. Australia is a massive island, so there couldn’t be a better place to make it!”
That Love Island Australia is the perfect guilty pleasure TV is also why viewers will enjoy the show, says Monk. “I feel like we’ve all had the toughest couple of years. This show is the perfect escape from that.”The fact that the islanders are all easy on the eye is part of its appeal, too! “I think all the islanders are gorgeous,” says Monk. “Even though they’re always in swimmers, you soon forget about the hot bods and become completely invested in their personalities instead.”
As islanders “get a text” to introduce new bombshells all the time, there’s a lot of love going around – but do the relationships last? “People absolutely do fall in love for real on this show,” says Monk. “Look at Josh [Moss] and Amelia [Marni] from Season 1. They’re my favourite Australian couple of all time and they’re still going strong. They’re meant to be together forever. Love Island made that happen for them!” (Love Island Australia premieres Mon., Oct. 11, 8.45pm on Nine Network and 9NOW)