Redefining the typical “Love Island girl”

Why do season 12’s finalists feel different?

For over a decade, Love Island has churned out a certain kind of reality TV archetype: polished, glossy and often one-dimensional. But the big 3, Toni Laites, Shakira Khan and Yasmin Pettet, have shifted the narrative, leaving an impact that outlasts the series itself..

As journalist Hanna Flint explored in today’s i-D feature, the trio’s friendship, resilience and unfiltered honesty didn’t just win the public vote, they shattered the old idea of how a “Love Island girl” should look and behave. Instead of playing into familiar scripts, they embodied something far greater: emotional intelligence and authenticity.

Friendship as the real love story

Their on-screen bond, rooted in loyalty and shared values, offered a refreshing reminder to viewers that female friendship can be just as compelling as romantic relationships. By standing together through heartbreak and hostility, they harnessed a new kind of strength that won the hearts of the nation.

In a show that often prioritises romantic drama over anything else, these women stood out. They showed that resilience doesn’t mean hardening yourself, it means leaning on each other. For viewers, it was a revelation: women redefining what strength and vulnerability look like on reality TV.

The end result of the season sent a sharp reminder that not fitting in can be its own kind of power.

Beyond the villa, beyond the stereotype

The impact hasn’t stopped since leaving Majorca. Where past finalists were quick to sign fast-fashion deals or chase viral endorsements, Toni, Shakira and Yasmin have chosen patience over paydays. Their feature in i-D magazine feels authentic, which is probably why it was backed in the comments by some of the biggest names in modelling and music; Cara Delevingne and Charli XCX, to name just a few. The islanders are intentionally turning down quick-cash offers in favour of genuine partnerships that reflect their values. In today’s influencer economy, that restraint feels almost radical.

In doing so, they’ve extended the same authenticity they displayed in the villa into their real lives. They’re not simply ex-Islanders capitalising on a moment; they’re carving out long-term careers rooted in credibility, not convenience. This choice signals something bigger: a cultural shift away from the disposability of reality TV fame towards something more sustainable and meaningful.

Why this moment matters

For years, Love Island has mirrored our cultural appetite for beauty, romance and drama, often reinforcing the same stereotypes about women season after season. But this time, the reflection looks different.

Toni, Shakira and Yasmin have gone beyond the narrow “type” the show once championed. They’ve continued that trajectory outside the villa, resisting quick wins and embracing a slower, more considered rise. That makes them more than contestants who happened to finish top three; they’re proof that reality TV women can write their own script, and rewrite the culture along with it.

This season, the finalists reflected something new: women who refuse to be flattened into clichés, who value patience, agency and authenticity. In a media landscape hungry for realness, their choices feel less like an exception, and more like the new standard.

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