Love Island's David confirms Olivia and Zara DO know each other 😲

They confirmed it in the villa!

Author: Alex RossPublished 26th Jan 2023

They've not exactly been the best of friends in the Love Island villa, after Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown entered as a bombshell and stole Olivia Hawkins' man, but rumours were rife the pair actually knew each other before travelling over to South Africa.

Despite tensions rising between the girls, with things kicking off a number of times, Love Island fans found some pretty telling evidence that Olivia and Zara were friends, and now former Islander David Salako has confirmed the reports!

Appearing on TikTok following his exit from the villa, David was asked by a fan: “Did Olivia and Zara talk about that they knew each other outside the villa?”

Replying, David said: "Yeah, this is something that was discussed in the villa, so, they told everyone; I think Zara told everyone that she knew Liv and Liv confirmed.”

Before David confirmed the claims, TikTok users noticed that Olivia commented 'fave photo of you' on the below upload from 2020 of Zara on Instagram, with 25-year-old Zara directly commenting back with the words: 'my babes ❤️'. (sic)

On another snap of Zara, Olivia has commented 'Unreal 🔥', with Zara replying: 'loving you'. (sic)

But the online love-in doesn't end there, as Zara has also commented on stunning snaps of Olivia, writing: 'Absolutely unreal babes' on an upload from June 2020.

After seeing tensions rise between the girls last week when Zara dubbed Olivia two-faced in a game of beer pong, many viewers of the hit ITV2 show are shocked as to why they aren't mentioning the fact they know each other.

One wrote: 'why are zara and olivia pretending they don’t know eachother? this might explain why olivia seemed overly offended at zara calling her two faced #LoveIsland'. (sic)

Another added: 'HOW AM I ONLY JUST FINDING OUT after a preview of Olivia and Zara actually fighting tomorrow night.. that they’re actually FRIENDS? This show OMFG #loveisland'. (sic)

A third then gasped: 'i still cant decide whether olivia and zara are arguing because they're friends on the outside and just want screen time or if they are truly arguing. #loveisland'. (sic)

After Zara chose to couple up with Tom Clare during Friday night's recoupling, in effect 'stealing' him from Olivia, the girls finally came to blows on Monday night's (23rd January) show.

Zara asked: "Do you think I flew 11 hours from England to p-ss you off? Get over yourself Liv, get over yourself."

Olivia responded: "You're just trying to cause drama", before walking away from the situation, whilst Zara calls her 'childish'.

And it looks like the drama isn't over, as Olivia continues to express her interest in Tom, especially now Haris Namani has been dumped from the villa.

With both girls fighting for Tom's attention, Thursday night's (26th January) recoupling is set to be a dramatic one, where Tom gets to choose which girl he'd like to couple up with.

Check out the current Love Island couples below:


Claudia and Keanan

As a new bombshell, Keanan was able to chose who he wanted to couple up with, with him deciding to pair up with Claudia, taking her from Casey.

Rosie and Casey

Bombshell Rosie chose to couple up with Casey, after finding a connection with him in the short time she had been in the villa - much to the dismay of Claudia, who he was previously coupled up with.

Sanam and Kai

Kai brought Sanam back from Casa Amor, and the pair have gone from strength to strength since, coupling up again during the eighth recoupling.

Samie and Tom

The pair have had an eventful week following Casa Amor, however Samie was left smitten when Tom wrote her a love poem. Despite having a rough week following his antics in the other villa, Samie chose to couple up with Tom yet again.

Jessie and Will

After a rough week for the couple following Will's Casa Amor antics, Jessie chose to stick with her man - with the pair confessing their love for each other earlier in the week.

Olivia and Maxwell

After bringing him back from Casa Amor, Olivia and Maxwell have seemed pretty smitten, with Olivia choosing to couple up with her man yet again.

Lana and Ron

Coupling up once more was Lana and Ron, with Lana giving a sweet speech revealing she's falling for him.

Tanya and Shaq

Tanya chose to couple up with Shaq again, despite bringing Martin back from Casa Amor. After an eventful week, including an explosive Movie Night, Tanya chose to recouple with her man Shaq, sending Martin home.


Jessie and Will

Despite Will kissing new girl Layla, he chose to stick with Jessie during the recoupling. After Jessie also came back alone, after staying loyal over at Casa, the pair were reunited, but Will later owned up to his behaviour with Layla.

Lana and Ron

Although they've had their ups and downs in the villa, both Lana and Ron remained loyal during Casa Amor, with the pair being reunited during the recoupling!

Samie and Tom

After Samie returned back from Casa Amor alone, she was buzzing to see Tom standing on his own waiting for her. However, Tom was forced to confess he'd 'tested' himself by getting to know new girl Lydia, much to the annoyance of Samie and the rest of the girls.

Sanam and Kai

Kai chose to get to know new girl Sanam during Casa, after worrying Olivia wasn't quite as into him as she made out. During the recoupling, Kai chose to follow his heart and couple up with Sanam, admitting he hopes Olivia brings another boy back.

Olivia and Maxwell

Olivia certainly did come back with a new boy, in the form of Maxwell. However, the Islanders and viewers at home were left very confused at Olivia's reaction to seeing Kai had recoupled!

Claudia and Casey

Despite kissing and enjoying time with two new girls during Casa Amor, Casey chose to stick with Claudia during the recoupling. As Claudia also arrived back alone, the pair once again coupled up.

Tanya and Martin

In perhaps the most shocking recoupling of the series, Tanya chose to bring back new boy Martin into the villa, despite previously telling Shaq that she 'loved' him. As Shaq remained loyal, he's now left single.


Tanya and Shaq

There's no sign of any issues for Tanya and Shaq, as the pair recoupled yet again.

Jessie and Will

Following their night away in The Hideaway, Jessie and Will couldn't look more smitten!

Lana and Ron

After weeks of drama for these two, Ron finally chose to couple up with Lana, meaning it's the first time they've been in an official couple together since Week One.

Casey and Claudia

Despite being dumped by Lana just days after the fifth recoupling, Casey found a quick connection with new girl Claudia!

Samie and Tom

Despite being asked on a date by new girl Claudia, Tom chose to once again couple up with Samie.

Olivia and Kai

It took them a while, but it looks like Olivia and Kai are getting stronger each day.

Ellie and Jordan

After failing to find a romantic connection with both Ellie and Tanyel, Jordan chose to couple up with Ellie on a friendship basis, in turn sending Tanyel home.


Tanya and Shaq

Another week, another Tanya and Shaq coupling!

Jessie and Will

Aussie girl Jessie is growing more fond of farmer Will by the day! Despite interest from new boy Casey, Jessie quickly friend zoned him, admitting she's happy with Will.

Olivia and Kai

It took her a few weeks to find the right man, but it looks like Olivia is getting on VERY well with Kai!

Ellie and Jordan

After cooling things off with Tom, despite their kiss on the terrace, Ellie chose to couple up with new boy Jordan during the fifth recoupling.

Samie and Tom

After growing closer during the week, Samie chose to couple up with Tom!

Lana and Casey

Lana had the biggest decision of the night during the fifth recoupling, new boy Casey or Ron! Admitting she went with her 'gut', Lana chose to couple up with Casey, leaving the villa in shock.

Tanyel and Ron

After Lana shocked the villa by coupling up with new boy Casey, Ron was the only boy left for Tanyel to pick, with the pair once again being in a friendship couple.


Tanya and Shaq

It seems there's no stopping these two! They've been together from Day One and they've now said the 'L' word!

Jessie and Will

Jessie once again couldn't wait to get back in Will's arms, running to the sofa to join him when he picked her.

Samie and Kai

Following his falling out with Tanyel and the arrival of new bombshell Samie, Kai chose to pick Samie to couple up with. However, by the looks of her face during the recoupling, she wasn't best pleased!

Lana and Aaron

Aussie Aaron once again chose to couple up with Lana, admitting he would like her to find someone in the villa who she has a connection with.

Tanyel and Ron

After Kai chose new bombshell Samie, and Aaron chose Lana, Ron made the decision to couple up on a friendship basis with Tanyel, but could something materialise between these two?

Ellie and Tom

Following his fallouts with Zara and Olivia, Tom chose to couple up with Ellie, in turn sending Zara home!

Olivia and Spencer

Although sparks haven't flown too much between these two just yet, Spencer once again picked Olivia in the recoupling.


Zara and Tom

Despite the arrival of two bombshells, Tom stuck by Zara as the pair coupled up yet again.

Jessie and Will

An overjoyed Will beamed as he chose to couple up with Aussie bombshell Jessie, and it's safe to say the pair are adorable together, with her running to join her man on the sofa.

Tanyel and Kai

Following Anna-May getting dumped from the villa, Kai coupled up with Tanyel as the pair began getting close again.

Tanya and Shaq

Totally smitten, Shaq chose to once again couple up with Tanya - even admitting he could see himself falling in love with her!

Olivia and Spencer

Following Haris' dumping, Olivia was swiftly swept up by bombshell Spencer, and the pair seem pretty keen on one another.

Ellie and Ron

In a twist, bombshell Ellie decided to couple up with Ron, who was gearing up to re-join his girl Lana. Ellie claimed she felt Ron hadn't met his match yet, before deciding to couple up with him.

Lana and Aaron

As the last one standing, Aaron coupled with with Lana, advising her to keep her head held high as they build their friendship together.


Tanya and Shaq

Despite interest from bombshell David, Tanya chose to stick with Shaq during the recoupling, meaning poor David was sent packing.

Tanyel and Ron

Tanyel caused a stir by choosing to couple up with Ron, despite him seemingly being happy getting to know Lana.

Lana and Will

As she was unable to couple up with Ron, thanks to Tanyel, Lana chose to couple up with Will on a friendship basis.

Zara and Tom

New girl Zara was quick to make an impact in the villa, with the model choosing to couple up with footballer Tom, stealing him from Olivia,

Olivia and Haris

With the choice of Tom gone, Olivia chose to couple up with Haris, after the pair enjoyed a number of good chats in the first week.

Anna-May and Kai

After realising she had no connection with Haris, Anna-May chose to couple with Kai.


Olivia and Tom

Following the arrival of the first bombshell Tom, the footballer chose to couple up with Olivia, leaving poor Will single.

Tanyel and Kai

Tanyel chose to couple up with Kai on Day One.

Anna-May and Haris

Anna-May chose to couple up with Haris on Day One.

Lana and Ron

Lana chose to couple up with Ron on Day One.

Olivia and Will

After finding herself on the subs bench, Olivia had to couple up with Will on Day One.

Tanya and Shaq

Tanya chose to couple up with Shaq on Day One.

Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

Now read:

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Love Island's Olivia Hawkins has appeared on the show before

Two former Islanders rumoured for the new series of Love Island

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