Love Island runner-up Shakira Khan has finally opened up about her whirlwind connection with Harry Cooksley, shedding light on their relationship status and what life has been like since leaving the villa together last month. In an exclusive interview with Heart, the 22-year-old influencer shared the highs, lows, and current vibe of their blossoming bond, addressing rumors, long-distance challenges, and their undeniable chemistry.
This summer, Love Island fans were glued to their screens as Shakira and Harry navigated a rocky path to love. Their journey was anything but smooth, with Harry briefly turning his attention to Helena and Shakira exploring a connection with Conor. Despite these detours, the pair found their way back to each other in the final weeks of the show, capturing viewers’ hearts with their resilience and chemistry.
Since leaving the villa, Shakira and Harry have been focused on building their relationship away from the cameras. “We’ve just had a really nice weekend in Burnley,” Shakira shared, her voice brimming with warmth. “Harry came up to visit, and I showed him around town. It was great to just have some R&R and escape all the noise.” For Shakira, who lived a relatively normal life before the show, this downtime has been crucial. “It’s been a lot, going from a normal life to this chaos. Spending quality time together, just the two of us, has been really good.”
Rumors about their relationship status have been swirling, particularly after Harry reportedly responded to a TikTok comment asking, “Are y’all official?” with a simple “Correct,” according to The Sun. However, Shakira set the record straight, emphasizing that they’re keeping things relaxed for now. “We’re still taking things slow,” she clarified. “It’s only been a month and a week since we left the villa, so we’re just going at our own pace.”
Despite the conflicting reports, Shakira’s comments hint at a positive trajectory for the pair. “Things are going really well,” she said with a smile, suggesting that while they may not be “official” just yet, their connection is deepening.
One potential hurdle for Shakira and Harry is the distance between their hometowns—Shakira is based in Burnley, while Harry resides in Guildford. But the couple isn’t letting geography stand in their way. “We actually spend a lot of time together because we’re both in London quite a bit,” Shakira explained. “I’m even thinking about moving there since so much is happening in the city right now. The distance hasn’t really been a problem—we’re both understanding about each other’s schedules.”
Another topic that’s sparked discussion is their age difference—Shakira is 22, while Harry is 30. But Shakira brushed off any concerns, saying, “I don’t think it’s an issue at all. People have been a bit dramatic about it, but it’s not that big of a gap. It doesn’t affect us.”
Beyond her romance with Harry, Shakira also reflected on the friendships that helped her through the Love Island experience. She credited her besties, Toni and Yas, for being her rock in the villa. “If I didn’t have Toni and Yas, I would’ve really struggled at times,” she admitted. “We’re like telepathic—we think the same thoughts. Finding such amazing friendships amidst all the chaos was absolutely incredible. I love them to pieces.”
As Shakira and Harry continue to navigate their “situationship,” one thing is clear: they’re committed to taking things one step at a time, savoring their connection without rushing to define it. With their shared understanding, frequent meetups, and ability to tune out the outside noise, this Love Island duo seems poised to keep fans rooting for them.
For now, Shakira is embracing the journey—both with Harry and in her newfound fame. As she balances love, friendship, and her next steps, one thing’s for sure: this is only the beginning for the vibrant star.