Love Island Shock: Grace and Ex Joey Essex Almost Reunited—The Surprising Story Behind Their Near Miss!
Love Island Shock: Grace and Ex Joey Essex Almost Reunited—The Surprising Story Behind Their Near Miss!
The eleventh season of Love Island was nothing short of legendary, with the show making reality TV history by featuring The Only Way Is Essex star Joey Essex as its first-ever celebrity contestant. But what really set this season apart was the unexpected appearance of his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jackson, which led to a dramatic and highly entertaining rekindling of their romance. While many viewers assumed that the producers had orchestrated this twist, Grace has recently opened up about how it was actually a surprising coincidence that brought her onto the show at the same time as Joey.
Speaking candidly on the podcast Chloe Vs World hosted by former Love Island star Chloe Burrows, Grace revealed that her journey to the villa was far from straightforward. Originally, Grace was supposed to join the winter edition of the show in January 2023, which featured contestants like Samie Elishi and Tom Clare. “I was supposed to go on as a bombshell, but it was after Casa Amor, and I felt like it was very risky. I didn’t know if that was in my personality,” Grace admitted. The timing and the circumstances didn’t sit well with her, especially the idea of being the one to potentially break up established couples so late in the game. “It’s difficult even at the start, let alone after Casa and all that,” she added, explaining her hesitation to enter the villa under those conditions.
Her initial reluctance didn’t deter the show’s casting team, though. Grace shared that she had been in touch with the same agent who scouted Samie Elishi, which eventually led to her being approached again for the summer edition of Love Island. However, this time, her busy schedule made it difficult for her to commit. “They approached me again for the summer one, which saw Sammy Root and Jess Harding win, but due to traveling so much, it wouldn’t fit in with my work,” she explained. It seemed that fate—or perhaps just timing—was conspiring to keep her off the show.
But as the saying goes, third time’s the charm. Grace recounted how her agent reached out to her once more, this time with a playful message that would change everything: “‘He texted me this year and was like, ‘Are you still single?’ and then, ‘Third time lucky?'” Initially, Grace was hesitant, citing the long and grueling process of being on the show. But after some convincing, she decided to take the plunge. “He was like, ‘You know what, third time lucky, just give it a go,’ and then, yeah,” Grace recalled, ultimately deciding to join the cast for what would become one of the most talked-about seasons in the show’s history.
Reflecting on her decision, Grace expressed her happiness with how everything turned out. “I’m so glad I went on this season,” she said, acknowledging how her storyline with Joey added a significant layer of drama and entertainment to the show. “Honestly, the lovers-to-enemies-to-friends trope with Joey was such a key part in how entertaining the show was. Can you imagine it any other way?” she mused.
Grace’s time on Love Island wasn’t just about rekindling old flames, though. While her relationship with Joey provided plenty of fireworks, it was another connection that truly stole her heart. By the end of the season, Grace left the villa arm-in-arm with Reuben Collins, and as of this writing, the couple is still happily dating. Her journey on the show may have started with a twist of fate, but it ended with a genuine connection that continues to thrive outside the villa.
As fans continue to discuss the highs and lows of Love Island season 11, Grace Jackson’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable moments come from the least expected circumstances. Whether by coincidence or design, her presence on the show left a lasting impact, proving that reality TV is always full of surprises.
