With 13 seasons under its belt, ITV’s dating show Love Island has become synonymous with helping contestants find both love and brand deals.
Maura Higgins has become a US sensation since her 2019 appearance on the show, Molly-Mae Hague has launched a million-pound empire, and Olivia Attwood has hard-launched a career in podcasting and documentaries (as well as a relationship with Pete Wicks.) Success can come as soon as you leave the villa, too. Last year’s Yasmin Pettet, Toni Laites, and Shakira Khan – known as the big three by fans – have secured their seats in the world of Love Island, becoming the new hosts of Love Island: The Debrief.
With our 2026 series finale set to air in less than a week, it’s only natural fans have begun to speculate who might be the biggest earners once the show. From the Grafties to Casa Amor, our islanders have spent two months showing the public who they are – and with thousands of followers gained while they’re locked down in Mallorca, they’re set to come out to a life that looks very different to before.
Curious about what their post-villa salary could look like? Here’s what our Love Island 2026 cast could be earning in their first year…
Who will be the biggest earner from Love Island UK?
Saying that winning the show doesn’t always mean walking away with the biggest earning potential, brand and culture expert Nick Ede explained, ‘We won’t get another Maura Higgins or Olivia Attwood, or even a Kim Cetinay and Amber Davies. The real winners are the contestants who leave with loyal fans rather than just a trophy. Brands are buying authenticity nowadays and are less interested in actual airtime.’
So, who could be battling off the most brand deals? Let’s look at their expected first-year salaries…
Ellie Chadwick and Finley Maddock
©ITV
Estinately first year earnings:
Ellie: £600,000 – £1 million
Finley: £150,000 – £300,000
Having had a rough ride with her partner Finley, Ellie was an instant favourite before her decision to quit the show. Proving that you don’t have to win the show to secure a big salary, it’s been suggested that Ellie could be this year’s biggest success – earning anywhere between £600,000 – £1 million in her first year out of the show. Not only is she one of the most-loved girls of the series, but walking away with Finley has reportedly only boosted her ‘authentic appeal.’ Nick says, ‘Sometimes leaving without the crown and pressure of being a winner turns out to be the smartest career move of all.’
As for Finley, he could be looking at a first-year earning of between £150,000 – £300,000. It’s certainly no small amount, but it’s not quite in Ellie’s ballpark…
Lorenzo Alessi and Julia Mayska
©ITV
Estimated first year earnings: £500,000 – £800,000 each
Fan favourite Lorenzo has become a front runner for winning the show, coupled up with the no-nonsense bombshell Julia. Dubbing Lorenzo this year’s ‘golden boy,’ Nick says, ‘Being voted the public’s favourite gives him something money can’t buy which is trust. Brands love Islanders people genuinely like, and that opens the door to huge fashion, fragrance, travel and lifestyle deals.’
As for Julia, she arrived at just the right time. Saying they have the ‘chemistry brands dream of,’ there’s potential for them to become this year’s breakout success (as well as our winners if early polls are anything to go by!)
Kavan Murphy and Jasmine Müller
©ITV
Estimated first-year earnings: £300,000 – £500,000 each
From turned heads to sibling meddling, there’s few people in the villa who’ve had quite a dramatic journey as Kavan and Jasmine. ‘Kavan and Jasmine’s Casa amor rollercoaster and the Lorenzo live triangle have kept them talked-about all series, and that visibility should translate into steady paid partnerships – even if the story wasn’t always smooth,’ Nick shares.
Tommy Stagg and Yasmin Hadlow
©ITV
Estimated first year earnings: £250,000 – £450,000
Sweet and loved-up, Tommy and Yasmin have been one of the most classic Love Island couples. Described as being ‘made for social media,’ they could expect some fashion and lifestyle brands to come calling if they can keep the spark alive.
Simba Kudyiwa and Angelista Gunda
©ITV
Estimated first year earnings: £150,000 – £300,000 each
If there’s one couple who’ve kept us on the edge of our seats, it’s Simba and Angelista. After initially ditching Angie in Casa Amor, Simba worked hard to try and win her back. Saying they ‘could surprise everyone’ with the path their careers take outside the villa, Nick says, ‘Sometimes the contestants who don’t dominate the edit enjoy the longest careers because viewers haven’t tired of them.’
Samraj Toor and Mica Harris
©ITV
Estimated first-year earnings: £75,000 – £200,000 each
It hasn’t been the easiest of rides for Samraj and Mica, who have found themselves in the bottom three more than once during their time in the villa. Saying that repeatedly ending up near the bottom can make brands ‘nervous,’ it’s thought they might have to reinvent themselves outside the villa to become ‘long-term commercial names.’
Aidan Murphy and Priya Jaswal
©ITV
Estimated first year earnings: £150,000 – £100,000 each
With the final just days away, it’s an unfortunate time for Aidan and Priya to have fallen out. Tensions rose between the couple at the Grafties after clips showed Aidan flirting with other people – including Jasmine’s sister who entered the villa for Family Day.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts on the pair – who started off as friends – one viewer wrote, ‘Julia is right, Aidan and Priya’s relationship is fake.’ Another added, ‘How is everyone going to sit there and defend Priya and Aidan when they’re clearly just coupled up for convenience.’
Despite their relationship not having won over fans, Nick says that the couple ‘may actually go the distance’ when it comes to their careers. ‘I can see Aidan getting some good social media campaigns and fashion, and even getting into presenting.’
Nick spoke to Mecca Bingo.
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Charlotte Roberts is a writer at Grazia UK, specialising in SEO. She spends her days covering everything celebrity, culture, and entertainment – from film review roundups to cast explainers.
