Every season of Love Island, just when it feels like couples are making connections and everything is settling a bit (read: it’s getting boring), we get the shake up of all shake ups: Casa Amor. This is the monumentally evil relationship test that splits the current boys away from the current girls and introduces a group of new boys and girls to each of them. At the end of this week each current cast member gets to decide if they want to stick with their partner back in the villa or recouple with one of the new islanders who they have been living with for the past week. It is juiciness and drama and messiness galore. Every Love Island fan simultaneously lives for and dreads the uncertainty of Casa Amor. But they also know one thing to always be true: you never know what you are going to get when the doors to Cara Amor open up.
This year was no exception that rule. It was messy and dramatic and I loved every minute of it. After the recoupling episode, I am going to give grades to the 14 original cast members on how they fared during their time in Casa.
SPOILER ALERT: Everything up to episode 32 of Love Island (UK), Season 11
Jess White
Casa Amor Grade: B+
Ever since Ronnie chose Harriet over her, Jess has struggled to find a connection in the villa. Trey’s entrance gave us hope for a moment until it became clear that Jess wasn’t too crazy about him – which is a real shame, because the two of them looked really good together.
Going into Casa, Jess was open as can be and her patience paid off in the form of electrician/DJ, Hugo. There doesn’t seem to be much between these two besides attraction, but sometimes that is enough.
But of course, since this is Jess, there is likely drama to come. This time with a brand new set to characters! Matilda and Hugo have both expressed their interested in one another, to Jess’s dismay. If her track record proves consistent, we are in for some more pettiness once Hugo enters the villa.
Uma Jammeh
Casa Amor Grade: A
There are a lot of commonalities you see throughout Casa Amor each season, one is the boy/girl who realizes just how much they like their partner they are in a couple with once they get some time apart. This was definitely the case for Uma during her time over in Casa. Though she kissed quite a bit during the challenges, she was out on the day-beds after the first night staying loyal to her man.
There may have been a tilt in the beginning, but when she came back to the villa it was obvious to see her head didn’t budge after that. It’s just a shame that Wil’s did.
Seeing Uma’s elation when she first approached Wil sitting by himself turn into disappointment and embarrassment when she found out what he had been up to was such a gut punch. The light dashed from her eyes so quickly and her posture stiffened. I wanted to give her a hug, but will have to settle with one of the other girls comforting her.
I am interested to see how she moves next. If she forgives Wil, she would not be alone in the halls of Love Island history. But if she ditches him? They will be able to hear my screams of joy all the way in Mallorca.
Mimii Ngulube
Casa Amor Grade: A+
Mimii did everything right. Every, single, thing. She entertained the boy that was interested in her without leading him on, she slept out on the day-beds every night, she felt confident and secure in her relationship, and she felt her feelings growing the entire time she was apart from Ayo.
The sad truth is that sometimes a better connection comes along in Casa Amor. Unfortunately for Mimii, she got the short end of the stick on this one. It was heartbreaking to watch her come in and see Ayo recoupled with Jess.
Perhaps this will be the test they needed to know they are right for each other, but I don’t think that is the direction it will go in. Here’s hoping a bombshell hand-picked for Mimii comes in as soon as humanly possible.
Jessy Potts
Casa Amor Grade: B
Was Jessy even in Casa Amor? Blink and you missed the biggest bombshell of the season completely fizzling out Casa Amor.
Due to her extreme lack of on-screen time, it is safe to assume that what we saw is what we got with Jessy: she didn’t find a connection and though she was sure he would recouple, was comfortable coming back to Joey in the villa.
Maybe her and Joey are meant to be, because lord knows that I am shocked how well this worked out for her.
Grace Jackson
Casa Amor Grade: A+
I couldn’t have manifested a better Casa Amor for Grace. Ladies, take notes because this is how you do Casa right!
After putting up with Joey’s bullshit, Grace was in dire need of some positive male attention. Thankfully, she is a stunning girl who captured everyone’s attention when she sauntered into Casa. Her spark with Blade was immediately noticeable. The pair had each other blushing right off the bat. What came as a bit more of a surprise was the adorable Moziah who so earnestly pursued Grace. Both these guys were such incredible upgrades from Joey and, though she had a tough choice to make, she handled herself with such…well, grace.
Seeing her walk into the villa with Blade was sweet justice against Joey and vindication that Grace can do better. Plus they are so hot together, I am obsessed!
Way to go Gracie girl!
Nicole Samuel
Casa Amor Grade: C+
Yikes Nicole, yikes.
The insecurity was next level for Nicole in Casa Amor. It makes you really wonder just how much she trusts Ciaran and why she doesn’t have a bit more faith in their relationship. Though they had an absolutely adorable reunion at the recoupling, I was left extremely discouraged about the state of their relationship after watching her constantly meltdown during their time apart.
At one point she said that she won’t be letting Ciaran out of her sight ever again…talk about anxious attachment style.
Matilda Draper
Casa Amor Grade: C
To my surprise and delight, Matilda was very much open in Casa Amor. To my disappointment and dismay, she was not able to find a match that superseded her connection with Sean. I do wish she would have given Jake more of a chance instead of getting mixed up in the Hugo and Jess situation because lord knows that will absolutely not end well. Though it wasn’t what I would have wanted for her, it was a good sign to see her give some attention to literally any guy that isn’t Sean.
Here’s hoping Hugo or some upcoming bombshell can rescue her from the vicious Candyman!
Trey Norman
Casa Amor Grade: B+
I don’t have much to say about Trey’s experience in Casa. He made a connection with someone which is good, but there was nothing spectacular happening between him and Ellie. What was interesting is his interaction with Jess during the recoupling. Not only did he mention that he had been thinking of Jess the whole time in his speech, but he was very petty and salty to see her come back with Hugo.
It’s giving unfinished business for Trey.
Sean Stone
Casa Amor Grade: D-
Ooof this was a rough showing for Sean. I loved it!
After spending weeks having unrequited crushes on girl’s in the villa, Sean’s confidence following his connection with Matilda was skyrocketing. It was this same confidence that fueled the messy way he moved in the villa during Casa Amor. He was drunk with the attention he was receiving from both Ruby and Diamente, and handled himself in the sloppy way a drunk person would. His constant flirtation and multiple kisses said one thing while his mentioning of Matilda said another. Casa shows off people’s true colors and, just as I suspected, I did not like what I saw from Sean.
This is icky stuff ladies and gentlemen.
He got completely roasted during the recoupling ceremony, but Matilda yet again seemed perfectly fine with it. He isn’t down as bad as I was expecting…for now.
Ciaran Davies
Casa Amor Grade: A+
Well, I got this one wrong!
Ciaran has officially impressed me. He made no moves, just chilled and had a good time with his friends. It was honestly super impressive.
Even thought Nicole spent the entire week losing her mind, Ciaran stayed level-headed and waited for his girl to come back to him. My negative thoughts about their relationship are still in place, but I am more positive about Ciaran’s commitment.
Ayo Odukoya
Casa Amor Grade: C-
Here’s the thing: I adore Mimii and adore Mimii with Ayo, however, it was hard to deny the sparks flying with Ayo and Jess. I am not happy that this happened, but I am happy to Ayo was honest with himself and followed his heart instead of messing around and then going back to Mimii. His movements didn’t feel nearly as shady as some of the other boys.
Joey Essex
Casa Amor Grade: A-
No one is more pained by Joey’s fantastic performance in Casa Amor than me. Because I am a Joey hater, I am going to chalk this up to Joey not being interested in any of the Casa girls. There is no way his connection with Jessy is that deep…
…right?
Konnor Ewudzi
Casa Amor Grade: B
Konnor has fallen completely flat as a bombshell, but came in at the perfect moment to make a connection in Casa without the messiness of an existing relationship. To his credit, he did make a connection…I’m just got sure how I feel about it. It kind of seems like Emma kissed Konnor just to stay in the villa a bit longer. But what do I know?
Wil Anderson
Casa Amor Grade: F
Oh boy. There is always one boy who simply does not know what to do with themselves during Casa Amor. I never would have seen this coming, but Wil was far and away the worst of the boys this season.
Wil made no mistakes about coming across as open to the Casa girls and was initially way more interested in Lucy than she was with him. With her sights squarely on Ciaran, Wil swooped in and lipsed her more than any other guy did with these girls. He barely had anything genuinely nice to say about Uma and was showing no signs of questioning his decisions. It was very disappointing as a fan of Uma and their relationship.
What might have been the worst part though were his comments about everything being fair game on a “lad’s holiday.” If that doesn’t scream “I would cheat on you on a lad’s holiday in the real world” then I don’t know what does.
Unfortunately for Lucy, she was a simple good time on this version of a lad’s holiday. Wil used the age-old justification of needing to test things out to feel confident in his relationship with Uma. It was all very gross to watch and a huge bummer for our girl Uma.
This is a guy who is telling you exactly how he would move on the outside, you need to ditch this man and run for the hills of Mallorca!
Just One Girl's Opinion 
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