It might feel like Love Island's been on for an eternity, but the final is tonight! While that means less toxic men on our screens, it also means we won't see Toni Laites every evening, the show's first ever US contestant who has earned her place on the Love Island hall of fame along with her two best friends, Shakira Khan and Yas Pettet.
By any assessment, series 12 has brought the drama – and Toni has found herself well and truly wrapped up in it. The star was caught up in a love triangle with Harrison Solomon and Lauren Wood for several weeks – with the situation leaving Women's Aid calling out his actions. In shock scenes, Harrison then chose to leave the villa, leaving Toni trying to patch things up with Cach Mercer - who she is heading into the final with.
Fans online have often backed Toni as she navigated the dramas, and many are celebrating the news she has made it to the final. 'YES THIS MEANS TONI, SHAKIRA AND YAS ARE IN THE FINAL #LoveIsland,' wrote one user on X. Another penned 'toni, shakira & yas in the final? alexa play war is over #LoveIsland.'
Here's everything to know about Toni Laites, the Love Island bombshell who's been on quite the journey...
Where is Toni Laites from?
Toni is originally from Connecticut, but she works in Las Vegas as a pool cabana server. She's also the show's first ever US contestant to brace the series.
Toni has said she was hoping to come out of the show with friends, which she certainly will do, 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.'
As for the messiness, even Toni's mum has been vocal on TikTok about her daughter's chaotic journey, branding her choice to swap Cach for Harrison as 'disappointing'.
How old is Toni Laites from Love Island?
Born July 1, 2000, Toni is 24 years old meaning she celebrated her birthday in the villa. For our astrology fans, this also makes her star sign a protective and compassionate Cancer.
What does Toni Laites from Love Island do for work?
Toni 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.'
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...'
However, 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 (who are now best pals in the villa).
'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.'
After Welsh bombshell Emily and Conor grew close, Toni found a fresh prospect in Harrison Solomon.The pair were seemingly going strong (despite Harrison's brief flirst with Helena) up until Casa Amor.
Having little faith that Harrison would remain with her, Toni chose to couple up with Cach - a gut feeling that served her good, considering Harrison brought back dog walker Lauren from Casa Amor. Of course, a triangle soon ensued - with Harrison asking Toni to recouple with him, despite secretly having sex with Lauren. The chaos came to a head with Harrison leaving the villa to join dumped islander Lauren - with the pair reuniting on the outside.
Was Toni Laites embroiled in a bullying row on Love Island?
During earlier episodes, Toni and Shakira were 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.
However, Emily later insisted that there was no bad blood between the girls. Opening up in a post villa interview, Emily said, 'Honestly, we had that one little blip, but we got over it straight away. In Casa, we spoke a lot. I reassured her that her feelings were valid, and she reassured me. Even around the fire pit, she was the one to stick up for me with Tommy. I think tensions were just high.'
Does Toni Laites have a chronic illness?
Love Island isn't the first time that Toni has made headlines. She has ulcerative colitis, which meant she had to go to hospital the same day as her senior prom - a story which made the local newspapers at the time. '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,' Toni explained. '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 before entering the villa, Toni described them as '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.
When is the Love Island final?
The Love Island final airs on ITV2 at 9pm on Monday 4 August.