How football’s new power couple Marcus Rashford and wag Grace Jackson could rake in millions as the next Posh and Becks
SHE was the Love Island bombshell sent into the villa to shake up old flame Joey Essex and was tipped to rake in millions, just like Molly-Mae Hague.
And now Grace Rosa Jackson is the new hottie on the arm of England ace Marcus Rashford, 27, who she’s been dating for several months.
Manchester United star Marcus has been on a series of dates with Grace[/caption]
An insider told The Sun the pair are “smitten” after the footballer “whisked her off on numerous dates around Cheshire” and they are said to “get on really well and have lots in common”.
Marcus appears to have found the perfect blend of brains and beauty in Grace, 26, who is a savvy businesswoman as well as a fashion model and social media influencer.
And brand expert Carla Speight thinks football’s new power couple is a true “meeting of the minds” — and they could even become the new Posh and Becks.
“Grace has got the potential to be the next Victoria Beckham — she’s already aware of the industry and she will do Marcus a lot of good, too,” Carla says.
Marcus is 27 now, so if he’s smart he will be looking beyond his football career.
Carla Speight, brand expert
“He had a taste of how far he could go with his successful school meals campaign during the pandemic, so he knows he can use his profile as a force for good.
“It will be interesting to see what power move they will make together.
“Marcus is 27 now, so if he’s smart he will be looking beyond his football career. He’s signed up to Jay Z’s management company Roc Nation.
“He could follow in the footsteps of David Beckham. Marcus has already done the sportswear stuff, but has been low-key, so it will be interesting to see where this Love Island influence takes him.”
Mancunian Grace was predicted to become the first millionaire of this year’s Love Island series — with brands queuing up to sign her, including retail giant PrettyLittleThing.
Born for Love Island
In fact, immediately after leaving the villa in August, Grace signed a lucrative six-figure contract with shoe and fashion firm EGO, which her representative claimed was “a huge moment” because “no other islander has done anything like this for a first brand deal”.
Many compared her to Molly-Mae Hague, the now ex-girlfriend of boxer Tommy Fury, who went from serving customers in Boots and working as a part-time lifeguard to raking in more than £6million as a model and influencer.
A source at the time told The Sun: “Grace is on course to be a millionaire already and a lot of brands are calling her the next Molly-Mae.”
Even before heading into the Love Island villa, Grace had a blossoming career, having modelled for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty and online store Fashion Nova — as well as working alongside Conor McGregor to promote his Irish stout.
She was also reported to have been a co-owner of Social Clubhouse, a social media management firm that launched in 2021, and events company Vamos, although she is no longer listed on either of their books at Companies House.
This September, she set up her own media company, Grace Rosa Ltd.
Grace’s Instagram page, which boasts 593,000 followers, showcases the sexiest, skimpiest and most stylish outfits of 2024 — which she seems to have cleverly monetised.
The snaps, which she savvily signposts for fans to “shop the look”, are from enviable locations around the world and have led online commentators to say she was “born for Love Island”.
She entertains fans with posts from stunning beaches in Marbella and Miami, Ibiza yacht parties, chic Parisian bars, red carpet premieres in London and occasionally from her home town Manchester.
To sit in and be single — I can’t understand why I would do that at my peak and in my mid-20s.
Grace Rosa Jackson
With such a hectic schedule it’s no surprise Grace previously struggled to find love, with her complaining: “They can’t keep up with my lifestyle!
“I like to go out and go abroad a lot . . . it’s the life that I want and it helps with business.
“To sit in and be single — I can’t understand why I would do that at my peak and in my mid-20s.”
Grace hooked up with telly lothario Joey Essex in the Love Island villa[/caption]
Marcus was engaged to childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, who he met aged 15, but they split in 2023[/caption]
It’s that reason, and the chance of life-changing career opportunities from the exposure, that led Grace to appear on Love Island in June.
At the time, she said: “This is something that would push me out of my comfort zone — I don’t really date a lot. I get myself in situationships with people I know that I shouldn’t give my time to!”
And producers were thrilled by the prospect of her entering as a bombshell too, with an insider branding her “the perfect contestant” due to her stunning looks and one other big ratings puller — she’s the ex-partner of The Only Way Is Essex star Joey Essex, who was Love Island’s surprise contestant, being the only islander this year who was already famous
As soon as Grace entered the villa on Day 12, the reality show veteran’s head was turned, despite him having already coupled up with Liverpudlian make-up artist Samantha Kenny.
On the show, Grace revealed they’d “had a thing” after meeting in Ibiza the previous summer. They had also been pictured at a Halloween party in matching outfits as Batman villains Harley Quinn and The Joker.
But she revealed their “intense” romance ended on “frosty terms”, which left her “hurt and confused”.
Despite downplaying the relationship, the pair were soon making up for lost time. They had a series of steamy snogs, in spite of Samantha, before Grace chose to whisk Joey away for a night of passion in separate villa, the Hideaway.
Footage of the couple’s antics there was said to be so X-rated and plentiful that sex-scene-loving Love Island bosses were “spoilt for choice” and had to leave a lot on the cutting room floor.
An insider explained at the time: “Because they knew each other before, their entire relationship is on fast forward and it’s steamy stuff. Joey can’t keep his hands off her.”
They coupled up shortly after, with Grace believing they could go the distance outside the villa due to her being willing to relocate to Essex — said to be a stumbling block during their previous fling. But within days their romance had crumbled, when new blonde bombshell Jessy Potts, 25, won over the reality show hunk.
The pair would go on to date until September.
High-profile romance
While it didn’t work out for Joey and Grace, who briefly dated fellow contestant Reuben Collins, she insisted there was no animosity and “no awkwardness” since they returned “back into real life”.
She also had plenty of distraction to keep her mind off the Towie star, thanks to the raft of new opportunities buoying her career, and she continues to benefit from the exposure of such a high-profile reality show romance.
And now Grace’s star could be on the rise again since being linked to Three Lions wonderboy Marcus, who she’s enjoyed “numerous dates around Cheshire” with.
Marcus was previously engaged to childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, who he met aged 15, but they split in the summer of 2023.
The striker is currently Manchester United’s second highest-paid player on £325,000-a-week — but he could bag considerably more if their romance lasts and they join forces for business deals.
I can see Grace reviving Wag culture, which died a death after Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. Grace could bring the spotlight back on to the ladies.
Carla Speight, brand expert
But unlike Wags without careers, who are forced to depend upon their sports-star partners, Grace is a force to be reckoned with away from the footballer’s millions.
With his football fandom and her fashion following, they could be a top-tier power couple to rival any of the England team or Premier League couplings.
“I’m sure every girl dreams of dating a footballer and Marcus is definitely an upgrade from Joey Essex,” says Carla.
“I can see Grace reviving Wag culture, which died a death after Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. Grace could bring the spotlight back on to the ladies.
“With her skillset, she could be very useful to the Wags of these footballers. She could guide Marcus as well with the brand deals and future opportunities, because she has done that for herself.
“With his profile and her business head, this is a real meeting of the minds.
“She has enough profile to survive without Marcus, but it will help her to level up.
“It will be interesting to see where they go next.”
Grace found fame on ITV dating show Love Island[/caption]
Mancunian Grace was predicted to become the first millionaire of this year’s Love Island series[/caption]
Striker Marcus is currently United’s second highest-paid player on £325,000-a-week[/caption]
