Suvechha Sarkar
9Now’s ‘Love Island Australia’ is an experiment in modern romance, where single contestants live together in a luxury villa cut off from the outside world. There, they must couple up or even recouple while facing challenges, secrets, and public votes. Likewise, season 7 delivered one of the most talked-about couples, Jaide Dixon and Jotham Russell. The latter had first connected with another islander. However, things changed with Jaide’s arrival on the third day. Soon after, Jotham returned with her to the villa, sparking controversies. Despite the challenges, they became one of the standout couples and succeeded in reaching the Finale, becoming runner-up.
Jaide and Jotham’s Connection Began Through a Shocking Recoupling
From the beginning of the season, Jotham Russell entered the villa with the intention of finding something real. He was quickly coupled with Gabby, and their early days together hinted at a genuine connection. Considering their effortless conversations, their bond seemed promising. However, everything shifted when Jaide Dixon arrived as a bombshell on day 3. She stepped into the show through Hotel Amor, the villa’s infamous private retreat. There, Jotham found himself drawn to her confidence. When the time came for the recoupling, he returned holding Jaide’s hand. He chose her over Gabby, and it became one of the season’s most talked-about moments.
The decision sent shockwaves through the villa, causing emotions to run high and even leading to tense confrontations. Amid the fallout, Jaide tried her best to stay composed. Over time, the storm settled, and the pair was soon called by the nickname, Big J and Little J, by their fellow islanders. As their relationship deepened, they spoke openly about their life beyond the villa, sharing hopes and plans for the future. During the family calls, Jaide nervously spoke to Jotham’s sister and mother, only to find that the conversation went better than she feared. When she spoke with her own parents, they asked if she genuinely believed she had finally found the one, and without hesitation, she said she did.
Jaide and Jotham Have Reportedly Gone Their Separate Ways After the Show
Jaide and Jotham initially felt that their bond was strong enough to give their connection a chance in the real world. They agreed to try a long-distance relationship after leaving the villa, with her based in Sydney and her partner residing on the Gold Coast. Unfortunately, just a week after returning from there, it was revealed in a report that Jaide and Jotham had parted ways. It first came to public attention after the former posted a TikTok video in which she claimed that he had a girlfriend outside the villa during filming. However, during an interview, Jotham claimed that after he spoke with Jaide, she had explained, “she’d been going through a tough time, she was drunk, and she didn’t know what she was saying and that she’d been hounded.”
In a separate podcast interview, Jotham admitted to being involved in “situationships” before entering the show. Yet, he insisted that he did not have any girlfriend during or after his time in the villa. On the other hand, Jaide claimed, “He had a situationship thingy that he went back to.” She continued, “I was so shocked, I did not expect that at all.” However, she disclosed, “We’re on talking terms because I just can’t be bothered holding a grudge, but I do think what he did was just so horrible.” Jaide and Jotham have continued to follow each other on Instagram, suggesting they may have maintained an amicable relationship. Sadly, it marked a bittersweet ending to what once seemed like a promising bond.
Jaide Channeled Her Athletic Drive to Become a Digital Marketing Professional
Jaide Dixon is originally from New Zealand. From a young age, she showed a natural flair for athletics. It led her to quickly stand out after she was selected as one of the two girls to represent her country in the under-16 touch rugby team. She later competed in an Australian under-18 tournament, where she achieved an impressive record, helping her team win six of the eight games. Jaide’s achievements as a young athlete were further recognized when she received the Skeggs Foundation grant. As her journey progressed, she also remained committed to her education. She eventually graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Commerce in April 2024. Following that, Jaide stepped into the corporate world confidently as a Digital Marketing Assistant in Sydney, Australia.
At the heart of Jaide’s life is her close-knit family, which includes her father, mother, Tania Murray, her brother Caleb, and her grandparents. She is particularly close to her mother, who has always been her most significant source of inspiration for pursuing sports. Additionally, she fosters a special bond with Caleb. From her childhood, he supported her through every milestone, and they frequently go out for snowboarding adventures and concert outings. Outside of work, Jaide maintains an active outdoors-focused lifestyle. She loves hiking, swimming in waterfalls, playing tennis, and running along the beach with her feet in the ocean. Fitness also remains her priority as she regularly attends pilates classes. Besides that, Jaide frequently goes to explore new restaurants and enjoys tasting cocktails with her girls.
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Jotham Russell is Completely Focused on His Football Career and Family
From a young age, Jotham Russell made it clear that sports would always be at the center of his life. His journey began with the Brisbane Broncos, which is a Rugby League team, where he quickly built a reputation for his discipline and athletic ability. In 2024, Jotham took a bold leap by joining the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program, transitioning into American football and carving out a place for himself as a Defensive End. As of writing, he continues to showcase his skills on the field as part of the New England Patriots team. Outside of the field, he has built a growing presence as a Digital Creator with over 17.2K followers on Instagram. On the platform, Jotham regularly shares glimpses of both his professional journey and his personal life.
Jotham also fosters a profound love for nature and animals, often seeking out quieter moments to savor life’s simple pleasures. It is essential to note that family has always been his anchor through it all. His world revolves around his mother, Kirsty, and his brother, Tynan. Jotham never backs away from expressing his love for both of them. His love for Kirsty is further highlighted by the fact that he always wishes her on Mother’s Day and makes her feel special. Moreover, the athlete is an avid traveler. He enjoyed the culture of Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022, followed by a trip to Japan’s beautiful landscapes in February 2023. In July of that same year, Jotham enjoyed his time in New Zealand. Most recently, in November 2024, he traveled to England and explored the quiet streets while riding a bike.
