Who is trans influencer Michelle ‘Mimi’ Roscoe and what’s her link to Love Island 2025?
Michelle Roscoe is a trans influencer and model with over 23,000 followers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/mimi.roscoe)
Michelle Roscoe is a trans influencer and model with over 23,000 followers on Instagram (www.instagram.com/mimi.roscoe)
This year’s edition of Love Island launched on ITV last night (9 June), and had many people wondering whether rumoured transgender contestant Michelle Roscoe would be making an appearance at some point.
The official list of islanders who will be taking part in the 2025 series was revealed last week, but it didn’t quite match the initial rumoured line-up, which had several additional names on the list: including transgender influencer Michelle ‘Mimi’ Roscoe.
The initial list of contestants is, according to Radio Times:
- Toni Laites
- Conor Phillips
- Blu Chegini
- Shakira Khan
- Harry Cooksley
- Helena Ford
- Megan Moore
- Tommy Bradley
- Alima Gagigo
- Ben Holbrough
- Sophie Lee
- Dejon Noel-Williams
- Megan Clarke
- Kyle Ashman
However, as all Love Island fans know, that’s not the end of the story. To shake things up, showrunners regularly introduce wild-cards called “bombshells”, to mix things up a bit. Last night, for example, the villa was rocked by the arrival of its first bombshell – Antonia Laites. She made her shock entrance just moments after the twelve new girls and guys had coupled up with each other, the Sun reports.
The speedy insertion of the first bombshell has led some people who were hoping to see the first-ever trans Love Island contestant appear in season 12 to speculate that Michelle Roscoe could still make an appearance.
Back in April 2025, it was reported that Love Island bosses were “in talks” to cast Michelle, a transgender influencer and model, in season 12. This would make Michelle the first-ever transgender person to join the show in it’s 10 year history.
An insider told The Sun: “They have met with Michelle and spoken to her about whether Love Island would be the right show for her. She is absolutely gorgeous and an advocate for the trans community so she’d be an incredibly interesting contestant.”
Many were disappointed when her name didn’t appear on the “official” list of contestants last week.
Previously, ITV boss Kevin Lygo explained that he was keen to push the boundaries of Love Island but was unable to cast gay people due to “logistical difficulties”.
Who is rumoured transgender Love Island contestant Michelle Roscoe?
Recruitment advisor Michelle Roscoe is originally from the UK but currently resides in Ibiza. So, she’ll be used to the Love Island temperatures. If she does appear on the show as a bombshell, Michelle will make history as the first openly trans person to appear on Love Island.
A source told The Sun that “Love Island is always looking to evolve and move with the times when it comes to its contestants. They have met with Michelle and spoken to her about whether Love Island would be the right show for her. She is absolutely gorgeous and an advocate for the trans community so she’d be an incredibly interesting contestant.
Roscoe recently posted a moving message of trans empowerment on Instagram. She wrote: “I’ve had to fight to become the woman I am today and I’m not letting a twisted, backwards & evil legislation bring me down. This crown isn’t slipping and the UK government will not win!!
“To my trans sisters: we must stay united. The news and social media can feel overwhelming so please remember to carve out time for yourself. We continue to rise. We continue to fight. TRANS WOMEN ARE WOMEN. Always. Stay strong, stay loud, stay proud.”
Love Island season 12 airs every day of the week on ITV at 9pm apart from Saturday nights.
