Canberrans Layla Wilson and Jordan Kaho are heading to Fiji looking for love. Photo: Channel 9.
She tried the dance floor at Fiction. She tried the beer garden at Assembly. She even tried ‘the apps’ and a couple of dating events. But Layla Wilson, 22, just couldn’t find love anywhere in Canberra.
So the reformer Pilates instructor decided to try a route most of us would never dare: she applied for Love Island Australia.
Well, sort of.
Her application was in draft mode, and Layla was busy convincing herself to take the leap when ITV Australia producers spotted it and called her.
Layla Wilson is a proud Southside girl. Photo: Instagram.
“They basically said we’ve seen that you’ve submitted some photos but haven’t finished the application,” Layla says.
“We think you look great; why don’t you submit an application and then we can hopefully put you through the next round.”
Three separate interviews later, one where she chatted informally to producers, one where she was interviewed against a backdrop under lights, and one where she posed for photos in a bikini, Layla was told she was headed to Fiji with 13 other Australians to potentially meet the man of her dreams.
She panicked.
Layla (fourth from left) in a scene from Episode 2.
Layla says she did a “huge” online haul for outfits and ducked to the Canberra Centre (Mecca and Sephora) for supplies before jetting to Fiji’s Manamuca Islands to start four weeks of filming.
“Also, I really wanted to prioritise being in a good mental space for myself,” she says.
“Because I knew going into the show, it was going to be lots of ups and downs.
“I headed to the island knowing I wanted a man who was ambitious and tall.
“Like so tall I’d have to crane my neck to kiss him.”
The entire cast of ‘Love Island Australia’ Season 8. Photo: Channel 9.
For those unfamiliar with the premise of Love Island, a bunch of ridiculously good-looking 20-somethings are thrown into a luxury villa and told to find love (or at least someone they’d be happy to pash on national television).
The singles spend their days lounging by the pool, debating who’s their type, who’s giving them the ick, and whether they’ve finally found a “genuine connection” with someone they’ve known for a couple of days.
Just as two contestants start developing feelings for each other, producers throw in a bombshell, another ridiculously attractive human, to see if they can destroy the relationship before it even has a chance to develop.
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This year [spoiler alert], one of those bombshells is Jordan Kaho, 24, the son of a former Prime Minister of Tonga, who’s, you guessed it, also from Canberra. Jordan describes himself as “well travelled, charming, cheeky” and says he doesn’t even have to flirt anymore – women just know when he gives them “that look” that it’s game on.
Do our two Canberrans fall in love over a shared homesickness for the Belco owl and Brodburger?
“You’ll have to watch the show to find out,” Layla says.
Canberra boy Jordan Kaho drops in to a later episode as a bombshell. Photo: Channel 9
Layla, a former Daramalan College student, admits she was “scared” to tell her family she’d been selected for Love Island Australia Season 8.
“But they were absolutely excited and very, very supportive,” she says.
“I was worried to tell my mum; I don’t know why, but she did not have a bad thing to say about it.
“Even my grandma! I found out that she’s a fan of the show and has watched previous seasons just by clicking through the channels. So she’s excited and can’t wait to watch.”
Layla’s favourite bar in Canberra is located at The Burbury Hotel. Can you guess what it is? Photo: Instagram
In a promotional video for Love Island Australia, Layla is cast as a stuck-up Canberra princess.
“I’m definitely the hottest girl you’ve seen from Canberra,” she says in the video.
“I’m used to helicopter rides, five-star dinners; you’ve gotta open the doors for me.
“I don’t chase men. If you’re not obsessed with me straight away, I’ve gotta let you go.
“Honestly, I do have high standards, but when you’re this hot, you have to!”
But talking to Layla, she’s articulate, present and talks a lot about mental and physical wellness.
She’s excited about what the future holds now that she’s back from Fiji and she’s about to hit TV screens across the country.
“I have no idea what direction my life will take now, but I’m open to all the new opportunities, and it’s very, very exciting.”
Love Island Australia Season 8 premieres Monday 26 October 2026. Episodes air daily, Monday to Thursday, at 10 am on 9Now and 8:30 pm on Channel 9.
