Isabel Vella is a Sydney hair salon owner who became a household name on Love Island Australia Season 7 in 2025, when she was 26. Her dramatic exit — dumped after superfans voted her their least favourite Islander, with Gold Coast nurse Connor Deighton choosing to walk out with her — made their romance one of the show’s most talked-about stories. In November 2026 the pair returned to Love Island Australia as one of the Season 8 “power couples”, and Connor proposed on a beach, making them the first couple from the Australian series to get engaged.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Isabel Vella |
| Age | 26 years old (Season 7, 2025) |
| Hometown | Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation | Hair salon owner |
| Known For | Love Island Australia Season 7 |
| Partner | Connor Deighton (fiancé) |
| Years Active | 2025–present |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Nickname | Izzy |
Who Is Isabel Vella?
Isabel Vella, known to friends as Izzy, is an Australian reality television star and hair salon owner from Sydney. She first appeared on Love Island Australia in Season 7 in 2025, where she coupled up with Gold Coast nurse Connor Deighton. After only two weeks in the villa, superfans voted Isabel their least favourite Islander and she was dumped — and Connor made the decision to leave with her rather than stay and recouple. The pair have been inseparable ever since, settling on the Gold Coast, travelling Europe together, and moving in together in December 2025. In 2026 they returned to Love Island Australia as one of the Season 8 “power couples” taking control of the villa, and in November 2026 Connor proposed to Isabel on a beach, making them the first couple from the Australian series to get engaged.
Early Life & Background
Isabel Vella is from Sydney, Australia, where she ran her own hair salon before entering the Love Island villa. She has kept her family and schooling out of the spotlight, and little is publicly known about her life before the show beyond her work as a salon owner. What is known is that getting on to Love Island Australia took a great deal of effort for both Isabel and Connor, and the pair have said it took so much for both of them to get on the show — which made their early exit all the more dramatic for viewers.
Career
Isabel entered the Love Island Australia Season 7 villa in 2025 and quickly coupled up with Connor Deighton. Their romance developed fast, but after only two weeks in the villa, superfans voted Isabel their least favourite Islander and she was dumped from the show. The exit could have ended their story, but Connor chose to walk out alongside her, a move Nine described as noble. Isabel has said that Connor’s decision to leave with her was the most genuine thing he could have done, and it confirmed to her that their connection was real.
After leaving the show, Isabel and Connor spent time travelling Europe together, then settled on the Gold Coast and moved in together in December 2025. Despite their dramatic exit, the pair returned to Love Island Australia in 2026 as one of the “power couples” taking control of the Season 8 villa, a role that put them back at the centre of the series. Their return underlined how popular their story had become with viewers, and host Sophie Monk was among the first to celebrate their next milestone.
In November 2026, Connor proposed to Isabel during a romantic beachside proposal, getting down on one knee in front of the ocean. The couple announced the news on Instagram with a carousel of photos from the proposal, captioned: “It will always be you, 4/11/26.” The engagement made history as the first engagement for a couple from Love Island Australia, and the announcement drew congratulations from host Sophie Monk, from their Season 7 cast mates, and from fellow reality stars. Yana, who won Season 7 with boyfriend Kye, wrote: “YAYAYAYAYAYAY MUM AND DAD ARE ENGAGED.”
Facts About Isabel Vella
- She is the first Love Island Australia star to get engaged, alongside Connor Deighton.
- Connor proposed to her on a beach in November 2026, getting down on one knee.
- She was dumped from Season 7 after superfans voted her their least favourite Islander.
- Connor chose to leave the villa with her after just two weeks, rather than stay and recouple.
- She and Connor moved in together on the Gold Coast in December 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Isabel Vella?
Isabel Vella was 26 years old when she appeared on Love Island Australia Season 7 in 2025.
Who is Isabel Vella’s fiancé?
Isabel Vella’s fiancé is Connor Deighton, her fellow Love Island Australia Season 7 Islander. He proposed to her in November 2026.
Is Isabel Vella engaged?
Yes. Isabel Vella got engaged to Connor Deighton in November 2026, making them the first couple from Love Island Australia to get engaged.
Why did Isabel Vella leave Love Island?
Isabel Vella was dumped from Love Island Australia Season 7 after superfans voted her their least favourite Islander. Connor Deighton chose to walk out with her.
Did Isabel Vella return to Love Island Australia?
Yes. Isabel Vella and Connor Deighton returned to Love Island Australia in 2026 as one of the Season 8 “power couples” taking control of the villa.
How old is Isabel Vella?
Isabel Vella was 26 years old when she appeared on Love Island Australia Season 7 in 2025.
Who is Isabel Vella’s fiancé?
Isabel Vella’s fiancé is Connor Deighton, her fellow Love Island Australia Season 7 Islander. He proposed to her in November 2026.
Is Isabel Vella engaged?
Yes. Isabel Vella got engaged to Connor Deighton in November 2026, making them the first couple from Love Island Australia to get engaged.
Why did Isabel Vella leave Love Island?
Isabel Vella was dumped from Love Island Australia Season 7 after superfans voted her their least favourite Islander. Connor Deighton chose to walk out with her.
Did Isabel Vella return to Love Island Australia?
Yes. Isabel Vella and Connor Deighton returned to Love Island Australia in 2026 as one of the Season 8 power couples taking control of the villa.