Love Island Games kicked off in spectacular fashion on Wednesday as contestants from the international franchise gathered for a second chance at love.
Megan Barton Hanson, who appeared in series four of the UK version, was the first female bombshell to enter the villa and wasted no time making her mark on her fellow islanders.
The former stripper, 29, entered at the end of the first episode alongside American contestant Johnny Middlebrooks, 25, and were informed by host Maya Jama that they should kiss the Islanders they found the most attractive.
Yet there was a twist, as their fellow Islanders were sat around the firepit blindfolded and unaware of who were the bombshells.
Undeterred, Megan made it clear that she had eyes for Callum Hole, who had coupled up with Liberty Poole earlier in the episode.
She wasted no time strutting over to Callum and proceeded to straddle him before lunging in for a passionate kiss.
While Liberty was unable to see who the bombshell was, she was very aware that they had picked Callum as she sat next to him open mouthed.
After composing herself she moved onto her next choice, French islander Steph Blackos, who is coupled up with Jessica Losurdo.
The pair shared another passionate smooch, yet Megan remained standing this time.
Megan looked sensational for her bombshell entrance, putting on a busty display in a plunging corset and skintight leggings.
She announced to viewers: ‘I feel like my experience in Love Island was pretty explosive.
‘I’m not a man-eater, if I’m honest I don’t even know what that means. I’m just here to have fun. I don’t always get my own way but I do 90 percent of the time!
‘I’m here to find love but not solely to find love…’
Next up, Johnny made his choice and went over to kiss fellow American Imani Wheeler, who is coupled up with Ray Gantt.
Yet he left Maya and Megan in shock with his second selection as he kissed ex-girlfriend Cely Vazquez, who he split from last year and is currently coupled up with Toby Aromolaran.
The episode ended with Maya standing at the firepit in shock as Johnny and Megan retreated to their hiding spot.
Love Island Games promises a more physical and competitive approach as the singletons returned for another chance at finding love, making it a hot topic among fans.
An explosive trailer was released last month teasing at what to come.
Megan seen kissing Love Island USA star Kyra Green in one steamy moment as things look sure to heat up in the Fiji villa.
Curtis Pritchard was also seen getting into a tense exchange with Courtney Boerner where she accused him of having ‘small d**k energy’.
And host Maya once again put on an array of very glamorous appearances as she strutted her stuff into the villa to drop bombshell revelations on the Islanders.
The trailer promised ‘games’ before quickly showing a clip of Megan and Kyra leaning in for a kiss while their fellow Islanders watched on.
Megan was also seen telling a fellow Islander: ‘It’s way more intense than I was expecting.’
As well as forming new connections, Megan has also come face-to-face with Eyal Booker, who she was coupled up with on her first stint on Love Island, as they have both returned for the spin-off.
In another dramatic moment, dancer Curtis, 27, was seen becoming embroiled in some drama as he looked very unimpressed during one exchange.
Courtney Boerner was seen giving him some strong words as a potential romance was teased between the pair, though it was seemingly on the rocks in the trailer.
She fumed: ‘Sneaking behind my back gives small d**k energy,’ with the camera then flashing to a very unimpressed looking Curtis.
Another huge bombshell was also dropped as Love Island USA’s Cely was left shocked when her ex Johnny entered the villa.
Speaking to camera, she said: ‘Are you s**ting me? Y’all really brought my ex in?’
The couple went their separate ways in June 2022 and their reunion on the show will no doubt cause a stir among the Islanders as the exes try and look for love.
Host Maya, 29, was also seen dropping her fair share of bombshells as she entered the villa to stir things up amongst the group.
She once again sported a whole host of stunning ensembles as she showed off her incredible sense of style when strutting into the villa.
For one look, she showed off her incredible figure in a blue satin mini dress with a plunging neckline and put her toned pins on display in coordinated heels.
Addressing the Islanders around the firepit, she teased: ‘Love Island Games is always full of twists and turns.’
In another moment, she cryptically said: ‘Things are going to be very different this time around.’
She also left the Islanders with their jaws on the floor as she declared: ‘The challenges will determine everything and ultimately which couple gets $100,000.’
Jack Fowler, who appeared on Love Island UK’s fourth series, appeared very confident as he said: ‘Winners win and I’m a winner.’
Liberty Poole also declared that she is ‘here for love and ready to find someone’ in the trailer, while Georgia Steel commented on the ‘tension’ in the villa.
Toby Aromolaran, who recently split up with his girlfriend Chloe Burrows after meeting on Love Island’s seventh series, is also returning for Love Island Games.
And he has told how the spin-off show is like ‘Love Island on steroids’ as he promised ‘blood, sweat and tears’ during the intense challenges.
‘It’s not normal Love Island. It’s Love Island on steroids,’ he told Digital Spy. ‘The games side of it, there’s passion, blood, sweat and tears and everything.’
The trailer gave a glimpse at some of the challenges as they appear to have upped the ante as the group could be seen fighting in a ring in one intense game.
The first ever Love Island spin-off show brings together former Islanders from the UK, US and Aussie versions for a second shot at love and to compete to be crowned the champion.
The hotly-anticipated series will firstly hit screens in the US on Peacock on November 1, with new episodes streaming six days a week.
A UK release date for Love Island Games has yet to be announced.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
