We’ve always had a soft spot for Love Island’s Sophie Piper. The Love Island 2020 and All Stars 2024 star is one of those rare Love Island success stories who’s stayed a genuine breath of fresh air, neatly sidestepping most of the chaotic side effects that tend to follow the show’s alumni – while maintaining the relationship she found on the show.
BUT when we saw she’d packed ‘four suitcases’ and suddenly uprooted her life to move to LA, we won’t lie…we clutched our pearls. New country, new life, new time zone? That’s usually exactly how the break-up rumours start.
And quite frankly, we’re not ready to be in a world where Sophie and Joshua Ritchie aren’t together – especially amid whispers that something else might be going on with fellow faves Toni Laites and Cach Mirjah Mercer. Say it ain’t so.
Thankfully, Sophie – who popped up on All Stars 2026 as Samie Elishi’s video call from home – was quick to calm the chaos. Speaking out about her relationship with Joshua – who she met on All Stars in January 2024 – she reassured fans as she prepares to swap the UK for sunshine and the full 90210 lifestyle.
The move, she explained, is all about work and career opportunities, with Sophie heading Stateside to focus on her modelling and what sounds like a seriously exciting new chapter.
Naturally, the second ‘moving to LA’ entered the chat, fans started questioning what it meant for her romance with Joshua. But Sophie addressed it head-on, confirming that while her man isn’t relocating with her, they’re still very much together. No dramatic statements, no cryptic unfollows, no sad-girl song lyrics or passive aggressive meme shares – just a straightforward update that should allow everyone to dismantle their conspiracy boards. For now.
She also reassured her followers that Joshua will be visiting regularly, revealing he’ll be flying out to LA in just a couple of weeks.
Taking to her Instagram Story, she wrote, ‘Reading all your messages is making me laugh guys 😂.
‘To answer your question, Josh is not coming but he will be regularly visiting!! He’s my best friend so can’t go too long without him hahaha, he’ll be coming to see me in two weeks ❤️.’
Sophie previously shared that she’s signed with Wilhelmina Models, and relocating to Los Angeles suggests she’s ready to go all-in and chase those major bookings.
New city, new castings, new era – and naturally, we’ll be watching like it’s a season finale.
So yes, like many of you, we panicked for approximately 12 seconds there. But Sophie’s made it clear: LA is for work, Joshua is still the boyfriend, and the only real drama here is whether four suitcases will be enough.
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Ben Pulsfordis a digital writer and producer at Bauer Media, creating content for easynewcastleescorts.co.ukonline and heatworld. Beyond his journalism, he is a presenter, singer and podcaster, co-hosting theSpill the Fizz podcast with Traitors series 2 star Diane Carson.
