An age gap wasn’t a dealbreaker for Chris, who’s fresh off a serious connection with someone 15 years his senior. While he gravitates toward older women, Chris admits that, when it comes to making commitments, he has some growing up to do. "My dating history is a bit underdeveloped," he tells Tudum. "I've only had one long-term relationship, and I was young." Now that he’s surrounded by singles his own age in the villa, this Miami millionaire isn’t wasting any time finding his perfect match. “My heart and my character make me a catch,” he explains. “It [also] helps that I’m tall, fit, and have money.” With all that confidence, it comes as no surprise that his strategy this season is "be myself and try to make as many real relationships as possible."

Following his one serious relationship with his high school sweetheart, Danny graduated to the role of tempter. On Temptation Island, he successfully stole another man's girlfriend and even left the island with her, so he’s no stranger to partner swapping in paradise. Danny’s entering this dating experiment with an open mind and a strategy to stay true to himself. “I won’t fake my personality for other people’s enjoyment,” Danny explains. But that’s not to say he isn’t a bit of a people pleaser. As a masseuse and barber, there’s nothing Danny loves more than making others feel good. “I get fulfillment when I make a positive impact on someone.” Gals, grab your sunscreen and get ready for a rub down.

Looking to escape dire dating decisions, this Aussie is visiting a romantic oasis on the opposite side of the world. And on the long flight over, he’ll be studying past seasons of Perfect Match. Once Dave arrives in this hemisphere, however, he’s got no grand plans. “Honestly, I just want to get into the villa and go from there,” he shares. As a “big energy guy,” he’ll simply follow his instincts when it comes to building connections. Sheilas who are “unapologetically themselves,” expect an invite to join Dave for his favorite activity: a long walk on the beach. But try to book a pedicure beforehand, as unpolished toes give him the ick.

Serial dater DeMari has been in a few serious relationships and even more situationships. Now he hopes to connect beyond the casual — and not just in the name of love. DeMari is planning to win “every single challenge,” so he needs “someone who is a big competitor by [his] side.” His ideal teammate in the game and in life is “a woman with a big personality, sass, passion, and flavor.” A few fellow players fit that description, including Bri and Katherine, whom DeMari already knows from their time on Too Hot To Handle. In fact, he and Bri were crowned the winners of Season 6, but couldn’t make a relationship work outside of the retreat. Maybe the two should give it another go, especially since DeMari’s so eager for another victory.

As a tempter, Hashim kept things cool, but on this beach, he’s bringing the heat. “Fans know me as being calm and soft spoken, but lowkey, I’m really the one causing some problems.” While he’s setting out to shake things up, his main goal is establishing a steady connection. “My strategy this season is to go in with an open mind and find my match so I can get off these Miami streets. It’s treacherous out here,” he says. Hashim will gladly retire from the dating scene for someone flirty and spontaneous, especially if she can “match my fly.” In the villa, he hopes to cross paths with some familiar faces. “I’m hyped to see my Temptation Island brother Yamen and lil sis Natalie.” But could these family ties break his game?

After almost making it to the altar in Love is Blind Season 6, Jimmy is heading into villa prepared for anything — he may have even packed an EpiPen. For Jimmy, coupling up has always been about commitment, and that will remain true even as he plays this game. "I don’t date for fun," he says. "I want to leave here with a best friend and hopefully someone I can build something with long-term." To find the caring and ambitious partner of his dreams, Jimmy plans to wear his heart on his sleeve. “I’m super emotional for a dude and don’t have a nonchalant bone in body,” he adds. If you match with him in this competition, expect lots of late-night chats behind those “do not disturb signs” because Jimmy “loves pillow talk.”

Jimmy doesn’t have a strategy heading into the villa. “I’m looking to find my shorty. That’s it,” he says. With three serious relationships in his past (none of which lasted longer than two years), this former basketball star is looking for a “cerebral and playful” partner to go the distance. “I want someone who accepts all of my parts of me, and helps me grow in the areas I lack in,” he says. While he’s excited to see his bikini-clad housemates — Katherine is at the top of his Perfect Match wish list — Jimmy actually prefers women with a unique sense of style. “My weirdest turn-on is when a girl dresses like a boy.”

This proud New Jersey native isn’t afraid of a little competition. In addition to sussing out a secret millionaire in his spare time, Nick is also representing the Garden State at the Mister USA pageant. Now, this successful business broker is searching for a queen to join him in his future reign. And Nick isn’t worried about the other men pulling focus. “Unless Timothée Chalamet or Cristiano Ronaldo walk through those doors, I like my odds,” he says. Should he face any headwinds, however, Nick has a plan to “use his charisma and blue eyes” to lock down his match. 

Weston is competing to connect with a lady who can give him “D1 babies.” He’s got a weakness for athletes but is definitely interested in more than a fit physique. For Weston, it’s all about emotional connection instead of just physical attraction. “If the external doesn’t match the internal, I don’t want it,” he says. In other words, he’s got no gas in his tank for “a Rolls-Royce with no motor.” What drives Weston is passion and purpose, not a paycheck. A “big dreamer,” he loves to build things and go after goals that other people tell him are impossible. Maybe that means his perfect match will be playing hard to get in this game.

Love isn’t the only language Yamen speaks fluently. This reality dating veteran can also flirt in Italian and he’s ready to live la dolce vita in the Perfect Match villa. “Confident and feminine” women who appreciate his “outgoing, blunt, and mature” energy will stand out from the jump. But with all the kissing that’s sure to go down this season, just make sure to use mouthwash, as bad breath is Yamen’s ultimate ick. After trying his luck in the Los Angeles dating scene (plus stops on multiple reality TV islands), Yamen is searching for a ride-or-die partner who will allow him to win the the competition by “just being himself.” 

After a few years of being single (and a certain situationship in the rearview), Alison is ready to hit the right note with “someone who loves every part” of her. In return, this “huge flirt and lover girl” is ready to commit to a life partner. Bonus point if he can balance out her energy in the bedroom. “I’m sassy so I definitely am turned on by a guy that can put me in my place and tell me I’m a good girl,” she says. But enough about the guys. Alison is most excited to see someone familiar in the villa: her “best friend in the entire world,” Kayla. “Sharing this experience with her is so special to me, and I genuinely feel grateful.”

Could romance be in the stars for this astrologer? Last time Ally was on our screens, she was in a relationship on Vanderpump Rules. But in the time since then, her romance with the DJ James Kennedy started to feel played out. “I’ve always had pretty serious relationships that seem to end around the three-year mark,” Ally shares. “I learned a lot from [my last] relationship about what I do and don’t want in my next one.” A few new nonnegotiables include: “Someone cute, kind, down-to-earth, funny, successful.” But above all else, only a fellow cat lover can be Ally’s purrfect match.

Bri is moving into the villa with a little bit of extra baggage, as her ex-boyfriend Demari is also competing this season. The two were the winning couple of Too Hot to Handle Season 6, but have since gone their separate ways. Only time will tell if the pair can rekindle their flame, but Bri doesn’t take too kindly to guys who’ve done her wrong. “I’m very sweet when I want to be, [but] I’m kind of like a sour patch,” she says. “I’m not going to be the girl you run over — I have keyed a man’s car before.” 

Expressive and unfiltered, Kassy's never been one to hide her true feelings. If she clicks with a connection in the villa, everyone will know it. "If I’m thinking it, my face is already showing it. I also have a habit of saying things out loud before I fully think them through." Her impulsivity tends to also cause some problems in her love life. "I fall fast when I feel something real, but I’ve learned the hard way that effort has to be mutual," she says. “Now I’m a lot more intentional and looking for something healthy." On Love Island USA, Kassy was Season 5’s runner-up and returned as a bombshell the following summer, when she partnered up with a certain snake wrangler. Will she be charmed once again?

Warning to the other singles: you might hear Katherine before you even see her. “I do have a really weird laugh,” she admits. But this “lover girl” isn’t looking to change for anyone in the villa. “I’m literally just going to be myself and see what happens. I’m not settling, not forcing anything.” After turning heads on Too Hot to Handle Season 6 (alongside her new villa mate DeMari), Katherine is now firmly in her single girl era and ready to get real with the right person. “I feel like people have seen my goofy side already, but I’m actually really sensitive.” She’ll be embracing that part of her personality as she sets out to find a man who’s “hardworking, loyal, and actually shows up.”

In this competition, Kayla plans to follow her heart and her nose. “I have a really strong sense of smell, and I’m in tune with natural chemistry,” she says. In addition to pheromones that “mix well” with her own, she’ll also be sniffing out bad vibes from the single guys. Kayla thinks overly sensitive and aggressive men stink. Instead, she wants a life partner who can make her laugh and appreciates her weirdness. While she’s a Too Hot to Handle alum, she’s also got an existing connection beyond Lana’s domain. Kayla describes Alison as her “bestie.” Let’s hope these two aren’t pulled toward the same scents.

Mackenzie may not have walked away with $4.56 million, but trading in the dorms for a villa filled with sexy singles  “feels like a reward.” The ultimate prize will be finding a guy who brings “calm to the chaos” and will make her laugh — “even when she’s mid eye roll.” Apart from a couple of “dumpster fires,” this Michigander says her dating life is lacking serious heat. As for who might add some spice, Mackenize has a few ideas. “Jimmy’s glow-up since Love Is Blind did not go unnoticed,” she says. But if Mackenzie catches the wrong vibe, she won’t waste her precious time. “If the energy is off, I’m already emotionally clocked out and grabbing my things.”

Marissa is going into the villa eyes and heart open. “In the past, I’ve put a lot of pressure on finding ‘the one,’ and I’m not doing that this time,” she tells Tudum. Instead, this DC native plans on living in the moment and letting her “energetic, warm, and magnetic” personality lead the way. She’s looking to connect with guys she typically wouldn’t go for, especially “the quieter ones who observe more than they speak.” But men who struggle with communication and accountability (hmm, remind you of anyone?) just won’t cut it. “I’m someone who shows up fully, asks real questions, and wants emotional depth, but not everyone has been able to meet me there.”

Natalie left the shores of Temptation Island with a connection, but the relationship didn’t last long on land. Meeting Mr. Right is now her sole focus in the competition. “I could find the father of my children here. Gotta be locked in all the time just in case,” she explains. As for what kind of guy will catch her keen eye, Natalie’s looking for “a best friend who makes life more fun.” Anyone who can complement her “outgoing and bubbly” personality should stay ready. But for a chance to lock lips, they must be patient. “I’m definitely down for a kissing session, but not straight away. It’s more about who’s going to be lucky enough to kiss me, you know?” 

For Sophie, the road to romance has been lined with red flags. What can she say? She simply can’t resist a chaotic side quest, and she’s pulling up to paradise with her messy tendencies in tow. But for all Sophie’s pot stirring, it’s important to keep in mind that she’s “never really that serious.” Most of her decisions are driven by her own amusement, and she wants a partner that can keep up with the hilarity. “I’m looking for someone who makes me belly laugh, but is still ridiculously sexy and intelligent,” she says. “So not much.” Will any cheeky chaps tickle her fancy? Let’s just say they have their work cut out for them, since Sophie says most men give her the ick.