OVIE SOKO AND INDIA REYNOLDS TAKE IT SLOWLY
OVIE SOKO AND INDIA REYNOLDS SHARE THEIR FUTURE PLANS
Ovie Soko was undoubtedly the most meme-able Islander of this year’s series. With his never-ending hat collection, brotherly love for Amber Gill and his ‘message’ catchphrase, it was hard not to fall for the professional basketball player.
One person who isn’t shocked by the public’s reaction to Ovie is his fellow Islander India Reynolds, with whom he finished in third place. ‘I’m not surprised,’ laughs the model from Reading. ‘We are so, so happy,’ she adds as she looks forward to the pair’s future together.
Here, the duo, both 28, tell OK! about Ovie’s feminist side and whether or not things are official between them ...
Have you got any plans to make your relationship official? Ovie: We’ve got plans to put one foot in front of the other and take it step by step and enjoy growing closer. But we’ve definitely got off to a great start. I don’t know how I’ll top that final date!
Do you feel the same, India? Definitely. We have spent so much time together so we’ve been able to build good foundations. We are just going to see how it goes and hopefully it’ll be good.
How does it feel to be back in the real world?
India: It’s nice. We are still in our little Majorcan bubble. You were praised for the way you treated the female Islanders in the villa, Ovie. Do you think of yourself as a feminist? I see myself as someone who just stands up for what’s right, more than anything. That’s more important. What’s right is right.
Where did that come from?
I look up to my dad and my brother. They’re probably the most influential people in my life. But again, right is right. Women should be respected. It should just be standard.
Did the behaviour of any the men in the villa make you feel uncomfortable?
Everyone is going to make their own decisions. I’ve had a lot of different life experiences. I’ve had the opportunity to travel and meet different people with such different opinions. I feel like I might be at an advantage in this case. But none of the guys are bad people. Maybe there might have been one or two questionable decisions.
Are you going to carry on playing basketball? Basketball is my first love, that’s something that I could never just take off the cards. But I really do just have to get with my family and then go from there.
You could bring out your own hat range...
Yeah! I love hats – I have about 40!
Do you think you’ve made a friend for life in Amber?
A hundred per cent. She’s my little sister and I’ve got a lot of love for her. Do you think her and Greg O’shea will last? I feel like it’s early for them. It’s not fair to put pressure on them. But Greg’s a solid guy and I really care about Amber. I hope they do last.