Ope Sowande

Ope Sowande is a 27-year-old West End performer and reality TV personality from Lincolnshire who entered Love Island Series 13 in June 2026 as one of the original islanders. Before the villa, Ope built an impressive career on the professional stage, with West End credits including The Lion King, Moulin Rouge!, Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Burlesque The Musical. He danced as part of the backing troupe on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 and has appeared on The X Factor live finals and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Friends with Love Island alumni Amber Gill and Samira Mighty, Ope is part of a growing generation of theatre-trained performers crossing over into the mainstream entertainment world. With his natural charisma, genuine talent and a profile that is rising fast on the back of Love Island 2026, he is one of the most exciting new names on the PA circuit right now.