Summer is here, and with it brings a whole new series of Love Island - and an excuse to stay inside and binge our fave show. The new line-up of singletons looking for love include air hostess Helena Ford, children's entertainer Shakira Khan, rugby player Conor Phillips and hunky cab driver Ben Holbrough.
Love Island producers have hinted that this season will be jam-packed with new twists and turns, and, if the past weeks are anything to go by, they weren't exaggerating. Toni Laites arrived in the villa as a bombshell - the show's first US contestant - within days into the new series.
Who is Toni Laites from Love Island?
Toni Laites is from Connecticut, and she works as a Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server. Although the show has only just started, Toni has already bought all the drama by becoming the first bombshell to enter the series. Toni is also the first ever American cast member to join the line-up, so we can't wait to see what's in store for the islanders as the dynamics evolve.
However, Toni has said she's hoping to come out with friends of course' and doesn't 'want to be super messy' in the villa. She added: 'I guess I’m the party starter, I want everyone to have fun.'
Who was Toni Laites coupled with on Love Island?
As the first bombshell to enter the villa, Toni made her choice to steal a man - and she chose hunky taxi driver Ben Holbrough, taking him from Shakira Khan. By day four, she changed her mind and opted for Irish rugby player Conor Phillips, who she said 'has made [things] seem a little different'. 'I think we surprise each other in everything we do and have a conversation, which is important to me. I’m really excited to see how things continue on,' she said.
The couple had a sneaky rooftop kiss after he charmed her by saying, 'You're interesting, you're American...'
But their relationship was rocked by the arrival of new bombshells Yasmin Pettet, Malisha Jordan and Emily Moran. After Yasmin made straight for Conor and questioned if Toni and Conor could work long-distance, it led to an icy showdown between the two women.
'It's not long distance necessarily with Conor. It's the person for me. You don't know me, or anyone else in here,' Toni told Yasmin. When Yasmin hit back, saying, 'I'm allowed to give my opinion,' Toni replied, 'Of course you are. It's just the wrong first impression.' Her clapback won support from viewers, who called for her to win the series.
With Emily and Conor getting closer, Toni had a face off with her rival - only to concede defeat in this love triangle and let their blossoming romance grow. But there's a fresh prospect in new arrival Harrison Solomon, who went on dates with Toni and Malisha, who picked Toni to couple up with.
Why is Toni Laites embroiled in a bullying row on Love Island?
Toni and Shakira have been accused of 'ganging up' on Emily after a tense row on screen, where the American openly spoke of her dislike of the younger contestant. Toni called the Welsh insurance worker 'Little Miss Sunshine' - and not in a positive light - before screaming at her fellow Islander that she's 'done' and told her to 'get the f*** out of her face' and storming off.
'I can't listen to her. Little Miss Sunshine all the time,' Toni told Meg. She also said, 'Emily's just f***ing nosy.' The situation escalated when Shakira got involved. 'I feel like in situations, it’s a case of reading the room a little bit... I feel like you’ve not made an effort with us,' Shakira told Emily as she pulled her aside. Shakira added that she sometimes finds Emily 'bitchy' because she will tell the other girls what has been said.
How old is Toni Laites from Love Island?
Toni is 24 years old.
What does Toni Laites from Love Island do for work?
Toni Laites has opened up about her work as a Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server, calling it her claim to fame. 'I’m always the number one in sales at both hotels I work at. I’m a workaholic,' she said. 'You have to audition to get the job I’ve got – over a 1000 people applied. There’s only 10 cabana servers!'
She continued: 'For the audition they set up a fake pool deck, they tell you to load up trays and zig zag through the chairs. The trays are heavy with pitchers and our large cocktails are really large! I’ve definitely dropped drinks on people before, but on the whole I’m really good.'
Why has Toni Laites from Love Island been in the news before?
Love Island isn't the first time that Toni made headlines. She has ulcerative colitis, which meant she had to go to hospital the same day as her senior prom. 'They told me, ‘You can’t go’ and then they said, ‘Surprise, you’re going to prom!’ Nothing that exciting happens in Connecticut, so it was a big deal and a few articles were written about me,' she said. 'What I hope people see from me being on Love Island is that not all illnesses are visible. It doesn’t have to hold you back, you can travel etc…I live my life day-to-day like anyone else.'
What is Toni Laites looking for in a man?
Toni has described dating in America as a 'mess,' continuing 'I live in cities that are fast-paced and party places; Las Vegas and Florida [..] People are here for a good time, not a long time. I live in Sin City! I do love Las Vegas. I’ve met some of the greatest people I’ve ever met there. I’m willing to relocate, it would just break my heart to not have my job anymore.'
When asked to describe any of her recent dates, Toni said they've been 'Really terrible.' She continued: 'The last date I went on was rubbish. He brought a friend, so I brought my sister. We said we’re going to the bathroom and I blocked him and we ran out of the property. I like to be treated like a lady, going to nice spas in Vegas, being taken to nice restaurants. I’m still waiting to be taken on vacation for a date.'
When it comes to her personal preferences, Toni says she wants to date a British guy because she's lived in three different US states and is still single. 'I have some British friends and they’re pretty charming,' she said. 'I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners.'
At the end of the day, though, she says her requirements for a partner are pretty straight forward. 'Someone that can make me laugh – I’m super outgoing. And someone that’s quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together,' she said.
Does Toni Laites have Instagram?
Yes! You can keep up to date with Toni's life at @tlaites20.