Fans are dubbing 'Love Island's Shaq the 'king' of the villa after one of his best moments so far

While 'Love Island's Shaq schools all of his fellow male islanders—here's everything you need to know about him...

Love Island's Shaq Muhammad pictured smiling, wearing a cream top while standing around the fire pit in episode 17 of Love Island 2023/ in a purple template
(Image credit: ITV/ Lifted Entertainment)

Love Island's Shaq Muhammad is quickly solidifying himself as a firm favorite Love Island 2023 cast member for repeatedly calling out his fellow male islanders on their shady behavior. So, while he gives them a lesson (or two) on how to treat the girls with respect...here's the DL on his life IRL and his best villa moment so far.

For anyone who needs a recap, Shaq is currently smitten with Tanya Manhenga, so much so, that he's already dropped the L-bomb—perhaps a tad too soon...but he did say in his Love Island VT that he wears his heart on his sleeve.

And while that moment left fans reeling, they quickly got back on board the Shaq train after he once again called out the boys for their treatment of the girls—namely Ron Hall to Lana Jenkins

Ron has now been called out twice by Shaq for giving Lana mixed messages and trying to use her as a "safety net"—as has Tom for his secret terrace kiss with Ellie—and fans are living for it.

So, while he continues to defend the girls (a refreshing sight after Love Island's 2022 misogyny complaints), we thought now would be the perfect time for a recap of his best villa moments and to get better acquainted with him. Here's everything you need to know about Shaq, from his age to his Insta—and a roundup of all of his best Love Island moments.

What is Shaq from 'Love Island's job?

Before jetting off to South Africa—where Winter Love Island is filmed—24-year-old Shaq did not have to commute too far for his flight, as he already worked as an airport security officer!

Shaq revealed in his pre-villa Love Island interview with ITV, that his job has helped him learn how to handle himself through "tough situations"—which is definitely proving true in the villa so far!

What is Shaq from 'Love Island's Instagram?

You can find Shaq under the mantle @shaq24s_, where he has already amassed over 20 thousand followers, despite Love Island's new social media rules.

Unlike in previous years—where islanders' social accounts were run by friends and family—2023's islanders have had their accounts paused for the duration of their time on the show. 

You can still hit the follow button, you just won't see any updates from Shaq himself, until he leaves the villa. 

Shaq's best 'Love Island'2023 moments so far

So as mentioned, Shaq has so far, provided us with a tonne of memorable Love Island moments. From making us all spit out our drinks (hands-up if it was from a Love Island water bottle!) in unison after he dropped the L-bomb to Tanya after just two weeks, to making the boys squirm after holding them accountable for their mad moves. 

So here's a round-up of his best moments (and best fan reactions) so far, as we wait to see if he and Tanya make it through the ultimate test that is Casa Amor...

Shaq calling out Ron

In episode 17, when Lana left the villa for her date with new boy Casey, the boys asked Ron where his head was at. Ron then effectively said that Lana needed to explore the connection to realize he was better—even though he has repeatedly tried to get to know other girls already.

Shaq then asked Ron if he felt he'd done anything wrong in the Lana sitch, before telling him that the way he's treated her has been "out of order." He then called him out for using her as his "safety net" and taking advantage of her kindness.

This moment had to be at the top, as one fan wrote: "Shaq ate and left no crumbs tonight…I didn’t hear one lie being told here He’s a real man!!"

While another added, "You know Shaq has some stroooong women in his life the way he backs the girls and holds the boys to account is 10/10 #loveisland".

Even Love Island: Aftersun's panellist, Indiyah Polack was loving the moment!

...And when he called out Tom

In a similar sitch, Shaq pulled Tom up on the whole Ellie-Olivia-Zara sitch, after he lied about his secret kiss with Ellie on the terrace...

When he and Tanya were chillin' while all hell broke loose

As Tanyel and Aaron argued after Ellie and Tom's secret kiss came to light, fans were loving how Shaq and Tanya were just cuddling—while things blew up around them...

When Shaq wanted to match outfits with Tanya...

This was a subtle moment but Shaq stans took notice and loved it...

The "I love yous!"

While this was a bit early doors (a Love Island quote you need to know), the reactions to Shaq and Tanya's "I love yous" were everything...

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.

Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.