If you’ve been patiently waiting for I Kissed a Girl to return, the wait is almost over. BBC has officially introduced the 10 women heading to Italy for season two, and we’re already excited to see what happens when they arrive at the Masseria.
Hosted once again by Dannii Minogue and narrated by Charley Marlowe, the dating series returns on June 23 with a brand-new group of singles ready to flirt, build connections, and maybe even find love. After a standout first season, expectations are high, but this cast already feels promising. There are hopeless romantics, self-proclaimed U-haulers, karaoke lovers, femmes looking for femmes, and plenty of big personalities that are bound to make this summer entertaining.
One of the things we loved most about season one was that it never felt like queer women had to explain themselves. The show simply created space for them to exist exactly as they are while navigating the same awkward first impressions, instant crushes, and relationship questions that make any dating show fun to watch. That’s part of what makes I Kissed a Girl feel special, and why we’re excited to get to know this new group of women.
So, before the first kisses, the inevitable plot twists, and the social media discourse that will undoubtedly follow, here’s your introduction to the women we’ll be following all summer long.
Imogen, 21 | Manchester
If confidence could be bottled up, Imogen would probably have a lifetime supply. The self-described “princess” is bringing unapologetically feminine energy to the Masseria and isn’t afraid to say exactly what’s on her mind.
She admits she can be fiery and sometimes speaks before she thinks, but she also describes herself as a bit of a cry-baby underneath it all. That combination of confidence and vulnerability feels like the perfect recipe for a memorable season.
If nothing else, we have a feeling Imogen will be one of the contestants everyone is talking about from day one.
Renee, 25 | North London
Renee already feels like someone viewers are going to love. She describes herself as the joker of the group and effortlessly moves between masc and femme energy, always finishing her look with her signature gold grills.
She’s hoping to meet a pretty Black girl who won’t overlook her for being too short, but what stood out to us most was her confidence in trusting her own instincts. She says one of her proudest moments was learning to follow her heart without worrying about what other people think.
Honestly, that’s a pretty great way to approach both dating and life.
Elise, 24 | Essex
Elise describes herself as “a bit of a gent in female form,” but what stood out to us most was how much she values queer community.
Growing up in a predominantly straight environment, she understands the impact that queer representation can have, particularly for younger viewers who may not always see themselves reflected on screen.
She’s also a softie at heart who is hoping to find a little old-fashioned romance along the way, which makes us especially curious to see who she connects with.
Nikita, 24 | Leeds
Nikita entered the Masseria looking for three things: adventure, community, and maybe even her person.
She’s attracted to someone who has a balance of masc and femme energy, values great eye contact, and also understands the importance of maintaining independence within a relationship.
Perhaps our favorite description of the season came from Nikita herself, who called this her “hottest, gayest summer yet.”
That’s certainly setting the bar high.
Tyra, 24 | Scotland
After four years of being single, Tyra is ready to break her cycle of situationships and build a genuine connection.
She’s hoping to meet someone who enjoys deeper conversations and has a soft spot for cute brunettes with nose rings.
What resonated with us most, though, was her perspective on representation. Tyra spoke about wanting young queer people, particularly young South Africans, to see themselves reflected in the show and feel a little less alone.
It’s a reminder that shows like I Kissed a Girl can be about so much more than dating.
Ebony, 22 | Newcastle
Ebony proudly describes herself as a “golden retriever,” and honestly, we immediately understood the assignment.
She describes herself as loyal, playful, and ready to leave her single era behind. She’s also hoping to find someone with strong communication skills and a great sense of humor.
But don’t expect her to fit neatly into any labels. Ebony may present masc, but she says she’s a “girly pop” at heart, and we have a feeling she’ll bring a lot of joyful energy to the villa.
Elisha, 22 | Wales
Forensics student by day, “raging lesbian” by self-description.
Elisha is femme-for-femme and hopes to find someone she can share both a wardrobe and a life with. As a self-proclaimed nerd who loves a good crime thriller, she already feels like someone plenty of viewers will relate to.
What we appreciate most is that she sees the experience as something bigger than dating. For Elisha, this was an opportunity to celebrate queer community and meet other women with shared experiences.
Faye, 24 | Warrington
Every season needs someone who can turn an ordinary evening into an event, and Faye might be that person.
She describes herself as a yapper, loves karaoke, and is looking for a soft masc who can keep up with her energy.
If her own description is any indication, we should prepare ourselves for plenty of laughter, a little chaos, and a few unexpected plot twists along the way.
Ashlea, 25 | Bedford
Never beating the U-hauler allegations, Ashlea is looking for her “wife for life.”
She says she falls hard and falls fast and is hoping to meet an “Ibiza Final Boss” type of woman who will happily join her for a night out.
What also stood out was her excitement about expanding her queer community. Dating may be the reason everyone enters the Masseria, but friendship often becomes one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.
Lindsey, 25 | Buckinghamshire
Our resident dom femme has officially entered her lover girl era.
Lindsey is looking for a tall, masc-presenting cutie with femme energy and says being in the Masseria felt a bit like being a kid in a candy store.
What we’re especially excited to see, though, is her commitment to representation. She spoke about being proud to represent queer Black femmes in the UK and her Ivorian heritage, two communities that don’t always receive the visibility they deserve.
One Last Summer in the Masseria
Part of what makes I Kissed a Girl so enjoyable is that it never tries to be more complicated than it needs to be. At its core, it’s a dating show, and a very entertaining one at that. There will be awkward first impressions, instant crushes, unexpected connections, and at least a few moments that will inevitably take over our social feeds.
But what has always set the series apart is that it allows queer women to be the center of the story without asking them to explain themselves first. Their identities aren’t treated as a lesson or a talking point; they’re simply part of who they are.
That may sound like a small thing, but it’s still surprisingly rare to see on television.
There’s also a bittersweet reason to soak up every moment of this season. Earlier this year, the BBC announced that both I Kissed a Girl and I Kissed a Boy will come to an end due to funding challenges, making this our final summer in the Masseria.
So yes, we’ll absolutely be tuning in for the flirting, the friendships, and the inevitable moments that become everyone’s new obsession. But we’ll also be appreciating the fact that a show like this existed at all.
Now, all that’s left to do is choose your favorite and prepare for June 23.
