Love Island 2023: Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown’s brother responds to claims she and Olivia Hawkins were friends

Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown’s brother has denied claims that she was friends with Olivia Hawkins before they entered the Love Island villa.

Alex, 28, joined host Maya Jama on Sunday night’s Aftersun alongside Zara’s parents to discuss the most recent episode of the popular ITV dating show, which continued to focus on the tension between Zara and Olivia as they competed for the affection of Tom Clare.

He claimed the pair didn’t know each other before the reality TV show amid speculation that they were friends.

Eagle-eyed fans recently took to social media after spotting that Zara and Olivia both featured in Dapz’s 2019 music video, Take Me Away, and had been commenting on each other’s Instagram posts in the years prior to going on Love Island.

Zara, 25, from London, and Olivia, 27, from Brighton, haven’t acknowledged knowing each other in scenes aired on the series.

Speaking to Zara’s brother Alex, Maya asked: “What do we think about Zara and Olivia’s situation? There has been a lot of talk that they knew each other before - do you know anything about that? Can you give us some insight?”

He responded: “So they have been on set together like on a music video and a few things like that but that’s it.

“And on social media as people do they exchange messages and big each other up and that sort of thing.

“But no they didn’t actually know each other beforehand so everything that has unfolded has been on TV.”

David Salako, who was the first contestant to be dumped from the Love Island villa in this series, claimed in a TikTok Q&A that Zara and Olivia discussed knowing each other in unaired scenes.

“Yes, this is something that was discussed in the villa. They told everyone. I think Zara told everyone that she knew Liv, and Liv confirmed it,” David said.

Zara and Olivia have been seen having heated exchanges on the series as they compete for the affection of Tom. However, in the most recent episode Zara called it quits on her romance with the footballer after a game of truth or dare left her fighting back tears.

Fans took to social media accusing her fellow contestants of “bullying” throughout the game.

Zara’s brother Alex told The Mirror: “She is a very strong woman who knows her own mind – she can handle the drama.”

Zara’s mum Denise added: “We understand people’s concerns when they see she is visibly upset. We know the show is highly edited and that Zara is free to leave at any time.”

The Islander’s parents admitted on ITV’s Aftersun that watching her relationship with Tom was initially “exciting” but they soon realised he has a wandering eye and are glad the couple have called it quits.

Speaking about Zara’s type, Denise said: “She did say that she has never dated a guy with blue eyes. I don’t actually know what colour his eyes are, maybe they are green.

“It was quite exciting for us to see her with a blue-eyed or green-eyed boy and of course he has the height and the looks. We really were quite excited but time has shown that he has wandering eyes.”