Jessika Power Responds to Love Island Bad Boy Link at Expo

Jessika Power has been forced to deny rumours she is romantically involved with Love Island Australia’s Cooper Benson after the pair were photographed together.

The former MAFS bride took to Instagram to shut down speculation after a photo of her and Cooper began circulating online at Brisbane’s adult entertainment expo, SXhibition, over the weekend.

Jessika admitted she was baffled to be addressing gossip so early in the week. 

‘Oh my God, not me having to address rumours and articles like, what is it, 9.38[am] on a fricking Monday, after already having like a pretty rough day,’ she told fans.

‘There are some articles going around saying, ’cause there was a young man from Love Island, he’s uploaded a picture of he and I. We literally just took a picture on the media wall like everyone else did, like I did with other people, other women, other men.’

Jessika stressed there was nothing romantic between them. 

‘Now apparently we’re somehow dating. I thought I left this dating rumour thing back years ago. He was just a really nice guy. I really enjoyed meeting him,’ she added.

‘You guys only saw a little bit of him on television. No, there is nothing going on there. He is just someone that was there. We took a picture together. That is all it is.’

SXhibition, held from November 28 to 30, was promoted as the country’s leading adult entertainment and lifestyle event, celebrating empowerment, self-expression and pleasure.

Cooper’s presence at the event certainly raised eyebrows. 

Less than two months ago, he appeared before Southport Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to assaulting two men during a drunken brawl at a Gold Coast karaoke bar in March.

He admitted to assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and driving a vehicle without a prescribed interlock.

The court heard Benson became involved in a violent altercation after a man placed a hand on his co-accused’s shoulder.

CCTV showed Benson shoving a 29-year-old victim before punching him repeatedly, propelling him into a karaoke screen. He then struck a second man as the situation escalated.

One victim suffered a broken tooth and multiple facial injuries. Patrons eventually intervened and removed Benson from the bar.

Police later struggled to track the reality hopeful down, eventually arresting him after pulling over his black Mercedes in early May.

Benson was ultimately released on a 15-month probation order with no conviction recorded and ordered to pay compensation to both victims.

He was also fined for his driving offence and banned from getting behind the wheel for three months.

Following his sentencing, Benson issued a statement expressing remorse and admitting he had not told Love Island producers or Channel Nine about the incident before filming.

‘I am extremely remorseful and regretful for the incident that occurred at the start of the year,’ he said.

‘I want to make it clear that I did not tell anyone on the Love Island production team or Channel Nine that this incident had occurred before my involvement in the show and I apologise to them for not doing so.

‘By way of explanation, I was defending my friend but I accept I went too far. The judge agreed it was provoked and no criminal conviction has been recorded. Despite this, again, I am deeply remorseful for my actions.’

His original show bio described him as a ‘handy boxer’ with a fiery streak, though that line has since been quietly removed.