True love’s path is never easy, but for Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, the road led to their being named the Winter “Love Island” 2023 winners. On March 13, the show’s brand-new host Maya Jama revealed that the duo had won the competition because of popular votes, and they would split the £50,000 prize money. Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga placed fourth, followed by Tom Clare and Samie Elishi, Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins in second, and Shaq Muhammed and Lana Jenkins in third.
Unlike last year’s “Love Island” winners, Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu and Davide Sanclimenti, who were predicted to win the program, it was a close call for the 2023 batch of Islanders following Will Young and Jessie Wynter’s surprising withdrawal a day before the final.
Yet in the end, Kai and Sanam won first place. The couple may have just crossed paths during the Casa Amor segment of the program, but their genuine bond won over the nation. While residing in the villa, Kai experienced some highs and lows, largely because of Olivia, with whom he had been dating before Casa Amor caused their separation. Olivia charged Kai with lying about his affections despite the fact that they both came back with companions. But those emotions were genuine, and he couldn’t help but keep leaning toward Sanam. As the victorious pair, they are now indelible in “Love Island” history (although they are yet to make their relationship official).
Even if the “Love Island” winners appear to be doing well right now,that’s not a total guarantee that their relationship will work on the outside.
While other couples—like Tasha and Andrew—have since rekindled their romance and some—like Molly-Mae and Tommy—have even welcomed children together, Luca and Gemma broke up just weeks after leaving the villa last year.
This year, ITV prohibited Islanders’ friends and family from using their social media accounts while they were inside the villa, but we can’t wait to see Kai and Sanam capture their life outside for the world to see. It’s made for a successful series that has whetted our desire for the summer dose of slo-mo walks, recouplings around the fire pit, and Islanders going “on job” with Jama at the helm and sporting show-stopping “Love Island” costumes, should we add. Bye, bye.
