Honestly, the moment Grace Jackson strutted into the Love Island villa as a bombshell, everyone had the same three questions: Who is she, how does she know Joey Essex, and—the big one—how old is she actually? There’s something about her vibe that just feels... different. She isn't your typical 19-year-old influencer looking for a quick fast-fashion deal. She carries herself with this "I’ve already got my life together" energy that had fans scouring the internet for the truth about the grace love island age mystery.
Let’s clear the air right now because there's been a weird amount of confusion.
The Real Age of Grace Jackson
Grace was born on August 26, 1998. If you're doing the math for right now, in early 2026, she is 27 years old.
When she first appeared on Love Island Series 11 in the summer of 2024, she was 25. By the time she made her big return for Love Island: All Stars Series 2 in January 2025, she had recently celebrated her 26th birthday. It’s funny because, in the world of reality TV, 27 feels like being a "mature" contestant, but in the real world, she’s literally just in her prime. She even mentioned once in an interview with Radio Times that she couldn’t understand why she’d just sit around being single during her "peak" mid-20s. You've gotta love the confidence.
Why the confusion?
A lot of the "how old is she?" chatter came from her history with Joey Essex. Since Joey has been in the public eye since the dawn of time (or at least since 2011), people assumed Grace must be closer to his age. Joey was 33 when they were in the villa together, making for an 8-year age gap. Not exactly scandalous, but enough to make people wonder if she was older than she looked or if he was just... well, being Joey.
Life Before the Villa: Not Just a Pretty Face
Grace isn’t just someone who happened to date a celebrity. She’s from Salford, Manchester, and she was already a massive deal in the business world before the cameras started rolling.
- Business Mogul: She co-owns a social media marketing agency called Social Clubhouse.
- Events Queen: She runs a Manchester-based events company called Vamos.
- Modeling Credits: We aren't talking about just Instagram selfies. She’s modeled for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty and FashionNova.
Basically, she came into the show with a career and a penthouse apartment in Manchester. That "boss" energy is probably why she seemed so much older than some of the other islanders who were still figuring out how to boil an egg.
The "All Stars" Evolution
When Grace came back for All Stars in 2025, she was 26 and a total runner-up alongside Luca Bish. Watching her the second time around, you could tell she had matured. She talked a lot about "boundary setting," something she admitted came with age and "ex-boyfriend experiences." Honestly, it was refreshing. Usually, the show is a mess of 21-year-olds crying over a text, but Grace handled the drama with a level of self-respect that usually takes a few more trips around the sun to acquire.
What's She Doing Now at 27?
Since finishing as a runner-up in All Stars, Grace has leaned heavily into her "IT girl" status. She hit the 1-million follower mark on Instagram, which is basically the gold standard for former Islanders.
The interesting thing is that she hasn't just disappeared into the world of "gifted" teeth whitening kits. She’s been vocal about the cosmetic work she’s had done—being super transparent about fillers and "tweakments"—which has actually made her more relatable to her audience. At 27, she’s navigating that weird space of being a public figure while trying to maintain the businesses she built before the fame.
Why Grace's Age Actually Matters for the Show
There’s been a huge push lately for Love Island to cast older contestants. Fans are sort of over the "Gen Z" slang that feels forced. Grace represents that bridge. She’s young enough to be trendy but old enough to have actual life experience.
When you look at the grace love island age and her trajectory, it proves that you don't have to be a teenager to be a "bombshell." In fact, being a bit older usually makes for better TV because the stakes feel higher. You aren't just looking for a summer fling; you're looking for someone who fits into a very busy, very real life.
Next Steps for Grace Fans:
If you're looking to keep up with Grace’s latest moves, the best place is her Instagram (@gracexrosa). She’s constantly posting updates on her businesses and her life in Manchester. Also, if you missed her run on All Stars Series 2, it’s worth a watch on ITVX just to see her and Luca’s dynamic—it was a far cry from the Joey Essex drama of her first season.
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Check out her recent podcast appearances too, especially her interview on Private Story, where she dives deep into what it’s actually like being a "maternity model" before the fame. It’s a side of her you definitely didn't see in the villa.