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Sophie Monk confirms MAFS star's appearance on Love Island: 'Perfect'
Following weeks of speculation, Sophie Monk has finally confirmed that Married At First Sight star Al Perkins will be appearing as a contestant on the upcoming season of Love Island Australia.
The TV host spoke openly with Yahoo Lifestyle ahead of the show’s premiere on October 31 and gave an insight into what fans can expect when the former TV groom enters the villa.
“I thought that was perfect,” she says about the casting decision.
“I was watching him on MAFS and straightaway when I saw him I thought, ‘Why is he not on Love Island?’ because he had never had a girlfriend when he got married. So I think it’s really good for him.
“He’s hilarious and he really had a good time. I don’t want to give too much away, but it was great for him.”
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While some personalities might have an ego when they participate in their second reality TV show, Sophie says this couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to the 26-year-old.
“He’s just a very sweet, innocent guy. He hasn’t got a bad bone in his body,” she remarks.
“He sometimes speaks without thinking, and I don’t even know if it will make the cut sometimes but he’s hilarious.”
‘Non-stop drama’
Al’s appearance on the show is just one of the many surprising moments expected in season four, with So Dramatic! recently reporting that last year’s winners Mitch Hibberd and Tina Provis will be re-entering the villa in a world first for the franchise.
The couple won last year’s season and continued dating for a few months until they announced their split in February.
While Sophie tells Yahoo Lifestyle she can’t confirm these rumours, she did tease that there are “familiar faces” on the show.
“There are twists and turns this year that you’ve never seen on any Love Island, even internationally,” she says. “I was like, ‘Wow, you're doing this!?’.
“It’s a nonstop drama with comedy and love. I’ll just say this year is another level. There's not one dull moment, and I think they'll struggle cutting it down if anything.”
‘It really worked’
After moving the production to Fiji in 2019 and Byron Bay last year due to Covid travel restrictions, this season makes the first time Love Island Australia is filmed in Mallorca, Spain since season one.
“It’s a pretty good job when you go to Spain to work in great weather,” Sophie shares. “The villa was just so stunning this year as well, they did such a good job.”
Season four also marks the first time the show will premiere online first on 9Now with a later broadcast on 9Go!, in addition to being the first time the show has been pre-recorded rather than aired live.
Sophie, who admits she wouldn’t be surprised if the international versions of Love Island were also pre-recorded, explains that there are super fans who help decide smaller votes throughout the season but everyone gets to decide who wins.
“The public still chooses the winner, so it’s all up to them anyway,” she details.
“Whatever they did, it's such a solid season this year. I wouldn’t change anything, it really worked.”
Love Island Australia premieres 6pm AEDT Monday October 31 on 9Now.
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