Ben Holbrough, the Gloucester contestant on Love Island, has yet to win over the heart of his partner Shakira Khan’s family. On the spin-off show Aftersun, hosted by Maya Jama, Shakira’s mum and sister openly shared their honest opinions about the 23-year-old contestant.
While they expressed pride in Shakira’s journey and the attention she has garnered in the villa, their feelings about Ben were more reserved. Shakira’s sister admitted, “I’m not a fan, but I feel like they do match each other’s freak a bit. She likes the chase, and because he was kind of weird with her at the beginning, it roped her in.”
Shakira’s mum offered a slightly more positive view: “There must be potential there for it to be that interested.” Despite their reservations about Ben, both women ranked him higher than Shakira’s ex-partner Harry, who is now coupled with Helena.
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When asked about Shakira and Harry as a couple, Shakira’s mum was clear in her disapproval: “Absolutely not. I didn’t sleep. When she ended up back with Ben, that was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a few days. I prefer him.”
Ben and Shakira initially paired up at the start of the season, but Ben later coupled with bombshell Toni, during which time he made controversial remarks about Shakira, stating that Toni “humbled” her and that “she needed that.” Meanwhile, Harry attracted criticism after spending a night in the Hideaway with Helena while still coupled with Shakira.
Shakira called Harry’s actions “disrespectful,” though viewers accused her of hypocrisy after she kissed Blu while still with Harry. A recent revelation also put both men in the spotlight for having undergone hair transplants: Ben had his done last year at the 360 Hair Clinic in Brighton, while Harry had his procedure in Turkey six years ago at age 24.