"Not all illnesses are visible" - Love Island UK bombshell Toni Laites opens up about her ulcerative colitis illness 

Love Island UK season 12 premiered on ITV on June 9. The episode introduced a new batch of single contestants, and host Maya Jama wasted no time coupling up based on their dating profiles. However, before the episode could end, the first American bombshell, Toni Laites, made her entrance and coupled up with Ben.

In an interview with The Sun published on June 8, Toni revealed that she would be entering the villa while managing ulcerative colitis—an illness she said causes her agonising pain.

Love Island UK bombshell had had it ever since her senior year of high school. By entering the villa, she said, she hoped to show people that not all illnesses are visible. She believes that an illness doesn’t have to hold a person back, and they can still enjoy their life if they are willing to.

"What I hope people see from me being on Love Island is that not all illnesses are visible. It doesn’t have to hold you back, you can travel etc… I live my life day-to-day like anyone else," she shared in the interview.

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Love Island UK bombshell Toni Laites shares her journey dealing with her illness

After introducing the female cast members in the premiere of Love Island UK season 12, host Maya Jama asked them to choose the guy they wanted to couple up with, based on their dating profiles.

But the drama didn’t stop there. Before the new couples could settle in, bombshell Toni Laites entered the villa and chose to pair up with Ben, leaving Shakira single and at the risk of being eliminated.

"When it comes to finding the man of my dreams, nothing gets in my way. I'm Toni, I'm 24. I work in Las Vegas as a pool cabana server. I'm tired of American boys. I've flown all this way to find love. Maybe I am just what these British guys are missing," she said during her entrance.

In her interview with The Sun, Toni revealed that she had ulcerative colitis and had to go to the hospital the same week as her senior prom in 2018. The doctors initially told her that she wouldn't be able to attend prom. However, after some treatment, they surprised her with approval to go.

"They told me, ‘You can’t go,’ and then they said, ‘Surprise, you’re going to prom!’ Nothing that exciting happens in Connecticut, so it was a big deal and a few articles were written about me," she added.

At the time, Toni was admitted to Connecticut Children's Medical Center, and its staff helped her to attend her senior prom by taking her to her high school and looking after her, making sure she was in a stable condition for the event.

The hospital later shared photos of her donning a gold sequinned mermaid gown while posing with the doctors before leaving for the event.

The 24-year-old American bombshell added that she hopes her appearance on Love Island helps people understand that not all illnesses are visible, and that it's still possible to live a full life while managing them.

Further in the interview, Toni shared that another reason for entering the villa was the fact that she believes dating in America was a mess, especially in Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada.

"I live in cities that are fast-paced and party places; Las Vegas and Florida. People are here for a good time, not a long time. I live in Sin City! I do love Las Vegas. I’ve met some of the greatest people I’ve ever met there. I’m willing to relocate, it would just break my heart to not have my job anymore," the Love Island UK star concluded.

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Love Island UK season 12 episodes premiere every day on ITV2 and ITVX.