Anna Vakili: The Pharmacist, Love Island Star and British-Persian Voice Behind Sisters In The City

Anna Vakili is a British-Persian pharmacist, reality TV personality, podcast host, influencer and businesswoman from London. Her full name is Anahita Vakili. She became famous after joining Love Island UK Series 5 in 2019, where her bold nature, sharp voice and emotional honesty made her one of the most memorable women of the season.

Before television fame, Anna had already built a serious career in pharmacy. This gives her story more depth than a normal reality TV journey. She is not only known for beauty, fashion and drama. She is also a qualified pharmacist, a business director, a podcast host and a woman who speaks proudly about her Iranian roots.

Today, she is known for three main things: her Love Island journey, her pharmacy background and her work with her sister Mandi Vakili on the Sisters In The City podcast.

Anna Vakili Age, Full Name and Nationality

Anna Vakili was born in 7 July 1990. That makes her 35 years old in 2026. During Love Island in 2019, she was introduced as a 28-year-old pharmacist from London, which matches her birth year.

Her full legal name is Anahita Vakili. She is British and lives in England. She comes from a British-Iranian family and has often shown pride in her Persian background.

Anna Vakili Quick Facts

Anna Vakili Early Life and Education

Anna was raised in London in a close Iranian family. Her parents moved to the UK before having Anna and her younger sister Mandi. Their home life gave both sisters a strong link to Persian culture, family values and ambition.

Education played a big part in Anna’s life. She studied pharmacy at Kingston University and earned a master’s degree. This was a demanding path and required years of study, training and discipline. Long before fame, she had already worked hard to build a respected career.

Her background helped shape the person viewers later saw on television. She was confident, direct and able to speak for herself. She also had life experience outside the entertainment world, which made her different from many reality TV stars.

Anna Vakili Pharmacy Career

Before Love Island, Anna worked as a pharmacist. Her pharmacy career included work in London, with experience in community pharmacy and locum roles. She has been linked with pharmacy work at places such as R.F. Blackburn Pharmacy, KC Pharmacy and Portobello Clinic.

Her healthcare career became an important part of her identity. Many people first saw her as a glamorous Love Island contestant, but she was also a trained professional with real responsibility.

Return to Pharmacy Work

After Love Island, Anna did not fully leave her profession behind. During the Covid period, she returned to pharmacy work. This showed another side of her character. While many influencers focused only on online fame, Anna went back to helping people in a healthcare setting.

She later spoke about fame not always bringing deep happiness. This made her return to normal work feel more honest and grounded. It also helped her connect with people who respected her for having both a professional and media career.

Anna Vakili Love Island Journey

Anna Vakili joined Love Island UK Series 5 in 2019. She entered the villa on Day 1 as one of the original girls. At the time, she was 28 and working as a pharmacist in London.

She quickly became one of the strongest personalities in the villa. She was not afraid to say what she felt. She supported her friends, stood up during conflict and made her emotions clear. This made her a major part of the season.

Anna Vakili and Sherif Lanre

At the beginning of the show, Anna was paired with Sherif Lanre. Their connection was one of her first storylines in the villa. Sherif later left the show early, which changed Anna’s journey and opened the way for new connections.

Anna Vakili and Ovie Soko

During Casa Amor, Anna formed a connection with basketball player Ovie Soko. Their pairing was popular with many viewers because Ovie had a calm and charming nature. However, the relationship did not last in the villa.

Ovie became one of the most loved people from that season, while Anna’s path soon moved back towards Jordan Hames.

Anna Vakili and Jordan Hames

Anna’s best-known Love Island storyline was with Jordan Hames. The two built a strong bond and became a couple. For a short time, they seemed settled.

The relationship then broke down in dramatic fashion. Jordan showed interest in India Reynolds soon after making things official with Anna. This led to one of the biggest arguments of the season. Anna confronted him in front of other Islanders, and the moment became one of the most talked-about scenes from Love Island 2019.

The drama made Anna a central figure in the season. Some people praised her for standing up for herself. Others had mixed views. Either way, the moment made her unforgettable.

Anna Vakili After Love Island

After leaving the villa, Anna gained a large online following. She worked with fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands. Her Instagram became a place for style, skincare, beauty routines and personal updates.

She also continued to build her media presence with her sister. Rather than relying only on Love Island fame, Anna moved into podcasting, business and brand work.

Her image changed over time. At first, many people saw her only through the lens of reality TV drama. Later, she became known for her sister bond with Mandi, her honest podcast stories and her return to pharmacy work.

Anna Vakili Boyfriend and Dating Life

Anna’s dating life has drawn attention since Love Island. Her most famous TV relationship was with Jordan Hames, but her private life after the show has been more guarded.

She has had an on-off relationship with a boyfriend known by the nickname “Cowslick.” Anna has not clearly confirmed his full identity in a direct way. She and Mandi have discussed relationships on their podcast, and the nickname became part of their private humour and online story.

In 2025, Anna spoke about a split from him after getting back together. Later, their relationship seemed to improve again. Because of this, the best wording is simple: Anna has had an on-off relationship with a boyfriend known as Cowslick, but she keeps his real name private.

Anna Vakili Parents and Family Background

Anna comes from an Iranian family. She and Mandi were raised in London by Iranian parents. Their parents’ names are not clearly confirmed through strong sources, so it is better not to invent names.

Her family background is a key part of her identity. Anna has spoken proudly about being British-Persian. Through social media and podcast content, the Vakili sisters have shown love for Iran, Persian culture, human rights and family.

Their posts about Iran show emotion, pride and pain. They have spoken about freedom, peace and standing with oppressed people. This adds a deeper layer to Anna’s public image.

Anna Vakili Siblings

Anna’s best-known sibling is her younger sister Mandi Vakili. Mandi’s full name is Mandana Vakili. The sisters are close and often work together.

Their bond is one of the strongest parts of Anna’s life after Love Island. They do not only make content together; they also share family stories, relationship advice, personal views and humour.

Anna Vakili and Mandi Vakili

Anna and Mandi have built a strong sister brand. Their chemistry feels natural because they are open, funny and honest with each other. They talk like real sisters, not polished presenters reading a script.

This has helped them build a loyal podcast audience. Many fans enjoy their mix of glamour, emotion, blunt advice and cultural pride.

Anna Vakili and Sisters In The City

Sisters In The City is the podcast hosted by Anna and Mandi Vakili. The show focuses on relationships, dating, family, lifestyle, self-worth and the ups and downs of being modern women.

The podcast is a major part of Anna’s current career. It gives her a space to speak in a more personal way than Instagram or reality TV. She can discuss heartbreak, friendships, family pressure, dating problems and confidence in a relaxed style.

The podcast has also helped Anna move away from being known only as a Love Island contestant. It shows her personality in a longer, deeper format.

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Anna Vakili Business Career

Anna also has business interests. Under her full name, Anahita Vakili, UK company records connect her with VAKILI SERVICES LTD, VAKILI LIMITED and SISTERS IN THE CITY LTD.

VAKILI SERVICES LTD is linked to professional and technical activities. SISTERS IN THE CITY LTD connects with her podcast brand. These companies show that Anna has taken steps to build a business base behind her public career.

She was also connected with PEACHLOUNGE LIMITED, but that company is dissolved and should not be described as an active business.

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Anna Vakili Social Media

Anna is active on Instagram, TikTok, X and Threads. Her Instagram handle is @annavakili_. Her TikTok handle is @annavakili. Her X handle is also @annavakili.

Her content includes beauty routines, skincare, fashion, travel, podcast clips and personal life moments. She also works with brands such as FashionNova and beauty companies.

Anna Vakili Beauty and Brand Work

Anna has built a strong beauty and lifestyle presence. Recent content has included skincare routines, glass-skin posts and sponsored beauty campaigns. One example is her Medicube skincare routine, where she shared toner pads, glow products and a collagen night mask.

This kind of content fits her brand well. Her audience follows her for glamour, beauty tips, honest talk and lifestyle inspiration.

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Final Thoughts

Anna Vakili has built a career that goes beyond reality TV. She first became famous on Love Island UK 2019, but her story includes much more than villa drama. She is a trained pharmacist, a British-Persian woman, a podcast host, a businesswoman and an influencer with a strong voice. Her journey has included fame, criticism, heartbreak, family pride and professional growth.

Her life after Love Island shows how a reality TV contestant can turn one moment of fame into a wider career. With her sister Mandi by her side, Anna continues to grow through podcasting, beauty work, business and social media.

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FAQs

1. Who is Anna Vakili?

Anna Vakili is a British-Iranian pharmacist, influencer, podcast host, businesswoman and former Love Island UK contestant from London. Her full name is Anahita Vakili. She became widely known after appearing on Love Island UK Series 5 in 2019 and later built a strong public career through beauty content, social media and the Sisters In The City podcast.

2. How old is Anna Vakili?

Anna Vakili was born in July 1990. She is 35 years old in 2026. During her Love Island appearance in 2019, she was introduced as a 28-year-old pharmacist from London.

3. When was Anna Vakili on Love Island?

Anna Vakili appeared on Love Island UK Series 5 in 2019. She entered the villa as one of the original contestants and became one of the season’s most talked-about Islanders because of her strong personality and relationship storylines.

4. Who was Anna Vakili with on Love Island?

Anna Vakili’s most memorable Love Island relationship was with Jordan Hames. Their romance became a major storyline after Jordan showed interest in India Reynolds while still connected to Anna, leading to one of the most dramatic moments of the 2019 series.

5. Who is Anna Vakili’s boyfriend, Cowslick?

Anna Vakili has kept her boyfriend’s real identity private. He is often known publicly by the nickname “Cowslick”, especially through her podcast and entertainment coverage. Their relationship has been described as on-off, but Anna has not clearly confirmed his full public name.

6. Who is Anna Vakili’s sister?

Anna Vakili’s sister is Mandi Vakili, whose full name is Mandana Vakili. The sisters are very close and co-host the Sisters In The City podcast together, where they discuss relationships, family, lifestyle, culture and personal experiences.