Who is Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown? Meet Love Island 2023 contestant and model
The model has worked with rappers like Aitch, Tion Wayne and Headie One.
The nation's favourite reality dating show is back to brighten your winter with some South African sun.
That's right, folks: the 2023 winter season of Love Island kicked off this week, with plenty of drama unfolding as the 2023 initial line-up entered the villa and began their quest for love.
Last night's episode of Love Island saw things continue to heat up as the islanders received surprise texts revealing that new bombshells David and Zara were arriving.
Model and property developer Zara ruffled feathers when she whisked Ron off for a date away from the villa, with the latter admitting shortly afterward that his head had completely turned for the new contestant.
With a re-coupling taking place on Friday and ending in the season's first dumping, the stakes are certainly high.
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Here's everything you need to know about Zara ahead of her Love Island debut.
Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown – key facts
Age: 25
Job: Model and property developer
Instagram: @itszaradeniz
From: London
Model and property developer Zara is heading into the Love Island villa and says that her family would describe her as "eccentric, lively, energetic, loyal [and] kind-hearted".
The 25-year-old is from London and remains single due to her own high standards and her parents' great relationship. "I've got an amazing mother and father and I know what works in a relationship."
Being a Leo, Zara says that she's "very loyal" and "self-assured" with the capacity to love herself and others.
As for secret talents, the Londoner is a fan of being on stage and performing, having studied musical theatre and performing arts at university.
"I’m fully trained in ballet, tap and jazz and have singing qualifications which led me to get scouted as a model," she adds. "I’ve since gone onto do lots of modelling and dancing for music videos for UK and global artists, I’ve worked with people like Hardy Caprio, Headie One, Aitch, Tione Wayne and more."
With Zara arriving in the villa, Olivia will no longer be the only islander with celebrity connections as the 25-year-old has revealed that she's previously worked with an array of rappers.
"I’ve since gone on to do lots of modelling and dancing for music videos for UK and global artists, I’ve worked with people like Hardy Caprio, Headie One, Aitch, Tion Wayne and more."
Why did Zara want to take part in Love Island?
"It’s been something that I’ve been thinking about for a long time. My love life is a bit shambolic so it would be nice to date in a different environment as whatever I’m doing at the minute isn’t working."
She's hoping to bring "sass, vibes and good energy" to the villa and considers herself to be a "massive hype girl".
"I’m very complimentary so I hope to keep the vibes up in the villa. I’ll also bring spice, I’m a bit different and I don’t think there’s anyone in there that's like me so I reckon I’ll keep things interesting."
Is Zara on Instagram?
Yes! You can follow Zara on Instagram on @itszaradeniz, where she mainly posts holiday pics and photos of her outfits – you can see why she's a model!
The bombshell currently boasts 22,300 followers on Instagram and that number is expected to grow while she's in the villa.
However, due to the show's new rules on social media, her accounts will be going quiet as contestants have to pause posting while appearing on Love Island.
This new measure is designed to "protect both the islanders and their families from the adverse effects of social media".
What is Zara looking for in a partner?
As for what Zara is on the lookout for in the Love Island villa, the model and property developer says that she has "very high standards".
"It takes me a while [to fall in love] as I have high standards and I'm fussy but when I meet someone that I like I fall in love very quickly," she said.
While Zara hasn't revealed any particular characteristics she finds attractive, she has listed her icks, revealing that she's not a fan of "players" or "if someone's boring and doesn't have any aspirations or ambition".
"Also guys that aren't into their fitness and health," she added.
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Love Island will air on ITV2 and ITVX tonight at 9pm. Previous seasons of Love Island are available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial.
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