Viewers everywhere are searching for Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos after seeing Zel on Love Island Australia Season 8. However, most fans do not know his real professional football career before television. Here is the complete story behind Merizel Dos Santos’s rise to fame.
How old is Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos, and what does he do for a living? From his West Ham United academy credentials to his 2026 net worth, check every verified fact below.
Who Is Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos on Love Island Australia? (Zel Love Island Wiki)
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos is a 28-year-old commercial model and former professional footballer from the Gold Coast, Queensland. He gained national attention in October 2026 as a Day 3 bombshell on Love Island Australia Season 8 on 9Now.
Raised in the United Kingdom before relocating to Australia, Zel speaks four languages fluently. Furthermore, his athletic background at West Ham United quickly made him a standout heartthrob in the villa.
Show & Network: Love Island Australia Season 8 (Channel 9 and 9Now, premiered October 26, 2026).
- Villa Entry Role: Entered on Day 3 as a bombshell alongside Jordan Kaho.
- First Villa Coupling: Stole Phoebe Jamieson on Day 3, which left Jarrar Haidar single and dumped.
- Spoken Languages: Fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.
How Tall Is Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos? Height in Feet, Weight & Physical Stats
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos stands 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs approximately 183 lbs (83 kg). His lean football physique and tattooed frame reflect years of elite sports conditioning.
| Height in Feet | 6′ 1″ (6 feet 1 inch) |
| Height in Centimeters | 185 cm |
| Height in Meters | 1.85 m |
| Weight | 83 kg (183 lbs / 13.0 stone) |
| Body Type | Athletic & Muscular (Ex-Footballer Build) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
How Old Is Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos? Age, Zodiac Sign & Bio in Short
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos is 28 years old (also listed as 29 in select 9Now press releases) and was born on April 25, 1998. His zodiac sign is Taurus, matching his grounded yet competitive personality.
| Full Name | Merizel dos Santos |
| Popular Nickname | Zel / Zel Dos Santos |
| Age (as of 2026) | 28–29 Years Old |
| Date of Birth | April 25, 1998 |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Upbringing & Hometown | Raised in the UK; Based in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian-British |
| Languages Spoken | English, Portuguese, Spanish, French |
| Profession / Occupation | Fashion Model & Ex-Pro Footballer (See Club Career & Salary Below) |
| Relationship Status | Coupled Up / Dating (See Current Status Below) |
| Partner / Villa Coupling | Phoebe Jamieson (See Dating Timeline Below) |
| Net Worth (2026) | $250,000 – $320,000 USD (See Full Income & Brand Deals Breakdown Below) |
Where Is Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos From & Where Does He Live Now?
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos grew up in the United Kingdom and now lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. He holds dual Australian-British nationality and carries rich Portuguese family heritage through his surname, dos Santos.
Growing up in a multilingual household helped Zel master Portuguese, Spanish, French, and English early in life. Later, he moved permanently to Queensland to pursue Australian league football and beachside commercial modelling.
- Childhood & Upbringing: Raised in the United Kingdom during his youth academy football years.
- Current Residence: Lives full-time on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
- Cultural Heritage: Portuguese and British-Australian roots; keeps his mum and dad’s identities private.
Is Zel Dos Santos Still With Phoebe Jamieson or Single? Girlfriend Update
On Love Island Australia Season 8, Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos coupled up with Phoebe Jamieson on Day 3. Immediately after entering the villa as a bombshell, he chose the 23-year-old Adelaide islander over the rest of the cast.
On Day 4, Power Couple Austen and Claudia granted Zel a special Power Move to take two girls on dates. Consequently, he went on back-to-back dates with Phoebe Jamieson and Amanda Boue to test his villa connections.
- Day 3 Bombshell Steal: Chose Phoebe Jamieson, which eliminated original partner Jarrar Haidar.
- Day 4 Power Move Dates: Dated both Phoebe Jamieson (23, SA/London) and Amanda Boue (26, NSW).
- Ideal Partner Type: Stated on 9Now that he wants an equal offering “the perfect mix of chaos and calm”.
What Was Zel Dos Santos’s Job Before Love Island? (West Ham Footballer & Model)
Before Love Island Australia, Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos played professional football in the West Ham United development squad in London. Later, he transferred from England to compete in the Australian league system.
However, recurring sports injuries cut his professional football career short in his mid-twenties. Soon after retiring from the pitch, Australian talent scouts signed Zel as a full-time commercial and menswear model on the Gold Coast.
- UK Football Academy: Trained and played in the West Ham United development squad in East London.
- Australian Football Transfer: Relocated to Australia to play semi-pro and professional league football.
- Career Pivot: Transitioned into agency modelling after recurring physical injuries ended his football contract.
- Estimated Modelling Income: Earns $85,000 – $125,000 AUD annually from Queensland swimwear, fitness, and menswear campaigns.
Zel Dos Santos Before and After: Fitness, Villa Style & Cosmetic Rumors
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos maintains a 100% natural athletic physique built through years of academy football conditioning. Unlike many reality TV stars, he has no confirmed history of cosmetic fillers or surgical enhancements.
Following his sports injury rehabilitation, Zel shifted to functional physiotherapy, resistance training, and coastal running in Gold Coast, QLD. Moreover, his sharp jawline, groomed beard, and multilingual charm made him an instant visual standout on 9Now.
- Workout Regimen: Combines high-intensity interval training (HIIT), injury-rehab physio, and weights five days a week.
- Cosmetic & Filler Rumors: Zero verified cosmetic procedures; maintains natural skin and athletic definition.
- Signature Villa Style: Tailored linen shirts, designer resort wear, and minimalist silver jewelry.
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos Net Worth 2026, Show Salary & Brand Endorsements
As of 2026, Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos’s estimated net worth is $250,000 to $320,000 USD ($380,000 to $490,000 AUD). He built his wealth through UK and Australian football stipends, commercial modelling contracts, and television appearances.
In addition, appearing on Love Island Australia Season 8 significantly boosts his social media sponsorship rates. Post-show islanders with modelling portfolios typically command $2,500 to $5,000 AUD per sponsored Instagram post.
- Estimated 2026 Net Worth: $250,000 – $320,000 USD ($380,000 – $490,000 AUD).
- Primary Modelling Salary: $85,000 – $125,000 AUD per year from commercial bookings.
- Love Island Stipend & Prize Target: Receives the standard weekly Channel 9 villa stipend while competing for the $50,000 AUD cash prize.
- Brand Endorsement Value: Projected to earn $3,000 – $6,000 AUD per athleisure and menswear campaign in 2026–2027.
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos Instagram, TikTok & Social Media
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos shares modelling portfolios, Gold Coast beach lifestyle updates, and Love Island Australia clips on his official Instagram account (@merizel_dossantos). His follower count has surged rapidly since his Day 3 bombshell entrance on 9Now.
| Instagram Handle | @merizel_dossantos |
| TikTok Profile | @merizel_dossantos (Fan & Cast Clips) |
| Home Network Hub | 9Now Official (@loveislandau) |
| Management / Bookings | Gold Coast & Sydney Commercial Modelling Agencies |
6 Surprising Facts About Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos
- Four Spoken Languages: Zel speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French fluently.
- Premier League Academy Past: He developed his football skills inside the prestigious West Ham United academy in England.
- Three Personality Words: Before entering the villa, he described himself as “boisterous, funny, and cunning”.
- Injury-Driven Success: A career-ending sports injury accidentally launched his lucrative Gold Coast modelling career.
- Instant Bombshell Impact: His Day 3 choice directly led to original islander Jarrar Haidar being dumped from the villa.
- Double-Date Power Move: On Day 4, past winners Austen and Claudia selected Zel and Jordan Kaho for two back-to-back villa dates.
Conclusion
From the West Ham United development squad to Love Island Australia Season 8, Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos has built an impressive international career. As the 2026 season unfolds on 9Now, his modelling portfolio and fanbase continue to grow across Australia and the UK.
FAQs
Q1: How old is Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos?
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos is 28 years old (born April 25, 1998, with some 9Now press bios listing him as 29). His zodiac sign is Taurus.
Q2: Where is Zel Dos Santos from and where does he live?
Zel Dos Santos was raised in the United Kingdom and holds Australian-British nationality. He currently lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Q3: What is Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos’s job outside Love Island Australia?
Zel Dos Santos works full-time as a commercial and fashion model on the Gold Coast. Previously, he was a professional footballer in the West Ham United development squad and the Australian league before injuries ended his playing career.
Q4: How tall is Zel Dos Santos in feet?
Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos stands approximately 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall. He maintains an athletic weight of around 83 kg (183 lbs).
Q5: Is Zel Dos Santos still with Phoebe Jamieson or single?
On Day 3 of Love Island Australia Season 8, Zel coupled up with Phoebe Jamieson and also went on a Day 4 date with Amanda Boue. Fans can stream 9Now to see if Zel and Phoebe stay together outside the villa.
Q6: How much is Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Merizel “Zel” Dos Santos has an estimated net worth between $250,000 and $320,000 USD ($380,000 – $490,000 AUD). His income comes from former football contracts, commercial modelling agencies, and reality television sponsorships.
