SK STREAMING | S8 E. 34-35 LOVE ISLAND USA
PHOTO CREDIT | Peacock/Ben Symons
E34 is this week’s After Sun has a lot of moving parts today and it’s the last one of the season! Tefi is in studio and Ciara is remote as she is filming Summer House! All logistics aside, they delve into all the activities that have taken place this week! They tackle the concept of exclusive without the title of boyfriend and girlfriend and how a situationship seems to exist there. They continue talking about Family Day with the highs and the lows. Both hosts couldn’t get over the beautiful moms of Aniya and Carl. They get emotional talking about the Melanie and Sincere dynamic from the families being there for them, telling them what they need to know, and more. They also admonish brands that have tried to write Melanie into their narrative by offering her free items if she dumps Sincere.
First up in the studio is Parmida and Corbin. We see them get their phones back to see what social media had to say about them as well as to connect with their families as a couple. In studio, they talk about the fact that they were the first couple to close off and we learn that they are exclusive; however, they are not boyfriemd/girlfriend. Ciara asks of Corbin actually had feelings for Kenzie and he said that he did like her; however, she was already teetering because there are things that he saw over the length of time that they were together that he couldn’t get past. We learn that she is moving to Miami next week - which was already scheduled, but the fact that he lives there as well - this is definitely serrendipity.
We continue on with the next eliminated couple, Kenzie and Dylan. We now know that they are exclusive and they both chat with Kenzie’s dad. We meet her dog which is so cute and then they both open up their phones to see what social media has to say. Kenzie gets some 1-on-1 time with Ciara and Tefi in studio. She said that she enjoyed spending time with Dylan at their hotel with no cameras and alone time. She says that she she gets up in the morning, she reads the bible, prays, stretches her hip flexors, and pops a split! She doesn’t regret any split that she has done. They also talk about how even though she came into this experience not having a roster that she had one in this season. She reminds everyone that the people who were there didn’t like blondes and she had to keep meetin people so that she could connect with someone. Hearing that perspective makes how she had to move understandable. Tefi also tells Kenzie that the “out the window” comment was actually not said by Corbin which she had believed (as well as the girls in the Villa), but by KC! When she finally absorbs that she said that if she knew, she wouldn’t have had the petty interactiosn with him. She feels that the experience was amazing because she walks away with good friends and her man. She ends her segment with a classic split. Dylan joins them. They talk about winning Couple’s Karaoke. He also does a tuck so both of them are flexible and acrobatic.
We now see KC and TT in their real world as they look at their phones for the first time. They talk about the positives, negatives, as well as the analysis that people have had about them since they are a Black couple that is from LA - with the agression paradigm perception. KC is in studio solo with Ciara and Tefi. He talks about the fact that 2 months ago he was a CNA and now he participated in a show and has a platform that now he has 200K+ followers, Ciara also reminds us that she was a CNA 2 years ago! They talk about Aniya and the challenge that had the door where no one was behind it. He also explains that he told Aniya many times that he wanted to explore and that she wasn’t receptive to it. Ciara acknowledges that she even saw that. He felt that because Aniya was fragile and he felt he constantly had to reassure her, but by doing so, he wasn’t able to be true to himself. TT joins them and Ciara lets her know that she is a whole meme on Tiktok as people have been doing her I’m TT Challenge.
Now all of the Islanders that were eliminated are on the couch and they talk through their experiences as well as answer viewer questions. They all share who they would like to see win the finale.
E35 is here and we’re going to see who the winner is! The final 4 couples debrief on the fact that this is at the end and they are still at the Villa. They wake up the next morning with a text leting them know that they will all leave the Villa to have an epic date within their couple.
Melanie and Sincere get ready for their date first. They head out on a boat that has their name on it and they are on a floating large tikki hut that they are able to enjoy. Sincere gives Melanie a massage under the thatched hut. After the massage, they go on the lower level and they are able to make pizzas together. They toast with a bit of bubbly and if you forget about the journey of their romance, the date seems so nice, but I feel there is so much up in the air between them! Sincere is saying a lot of things that sound nice, but we know that what he says is not always what he really means.
Back at the Villa, the bromance between Bryce and Zach continues and they talk about their friendship, their weird jokes, and their platonic love of one another. Kayda and Trinity talk about how close they are and how they can’t wait to go out as a couple of 4.
Now Kayda and Zach are getting ready for their date and they head out.
This is also their first date as well. Sincere and Kayda come back from their date on the boat with their name on it. They share date with the Islanders. Trinity, Melanie, and Aniya talk about the date and they also say how they love that their are 4 Black females that made it to the finals and that it is possible. Sincere tells the guys that he loved the date and feels so close to her.
Kayda and Zach walk out to a massive park area and their is a speed boat with their name on it that arrives! The speed boat takes them to their table for 2 for a nice lunch that they can enjoy with one another. They talk about the fact that they are excited to see one another’s lives outside of the Villa. He wants to bring her to England, but he doesn’t feel like he wants to live there as he’d rather be in the States.
The next epic date is with Aniya and Carl! He’s excited for the date as he feels that he will get to know more about her by being out in the real world and this date, their first will be the best way to do that! They share with the Islanders what their date is like and Zach says that wherever she is, that is where home is.
Carl and Aniya’s date is a dinner in an enchanted forest giving Tianna and The Princess Frog’s vibe! Their first date doesn’t disappoint! They even have a book with their initials on it and it is illustrated with their story. They read the story and also share their thoughts on what went down as well. They continue to flip through the book and there are blank pages that let them know that their story will continue.
We’re back at the Villa and another text is sent which means that Trinity and Bryce are about to go on their date now! They look so cute and they head out. Carl and Aniya come back and she brings their storybook back with them. They share what their date was like. As they debrief in smaller groups, Zach says that he gets why the 2 of them work as he heard great things about him and he is so wholesome and that is perfect for Aniya.
Trinity and Bryce have a dinner date and they talk about what they mean to each other. Bryce tells her that he wants her to come to LA and for her to stay as long as she wants to. She lets him know that she wants him to come to VA as well - which he is so excited for. They love how their families blend together and Bryce tells her that he loves her and she says that she feels the same way but she was waiting for him to say it first! As they enjoy that moment they have local entertainment that includes dancers and fire throwers!
Once again, I love how the Islanders support one another and are so enthused about the various steps and experiences that they have gone through.
It’s the next morning and the girls get a text that they are leaving the Villa to get their nails done and to get ready for the finale. The guys are staying behind and lounging with one another on their last day. We fast forward to the girls adding their finishing touch. Each couple gets a bit of solo time to come down to see each other and to see key imagery in photos of their journey and how they got to where they are.
Now that they are all assembled, they totast each other and talk about how they love being in this journey with one another. There is a new elevated photobooth that they all use with fun props. There is also a dance floor for them to enjoy as they take a few spins. It’s all good vibes as they drink punch and finally sit on the couch. We agree with Melanie that this is like a prom (which some of them didn’t attend) and they are seated in front of a TV. The TV in the past has not been too kind, but in this moment they are seeing all the good times that they had. There are a few down moments that are shown but not in a way to bring them down, but to show the resilience that took place and how it pushed them in their journey. They also have special recorded message from family and driends that weren’t able to be in Fiji. Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Alex Warren, Ciara (Ms One Two Step herself), Jordin Sparks, Sombr, Kesha, Druski, and Kehlani share their well wishes as it’s amazing to see how many people tune into this show! I have to admit that I knew about the show but never tuned in until a friend of mine talked so highly of it that I finally had to watch! I’m currently watching the current season of the UK edition of this show now too!
With all of the excitement, we see Ariana Maddix who is now an Emmy Nominee for this show appears. She looks stunning of course and you can tell that she has enjoyed this season from the ups, downs, and more! For those knowing about Ariana’s history this show is such an interesting one for her to be the host of. She talks with them about their journey, how they navigated the experience, and of course reminding them that a winner will be selected!
America voted for the couple and the 4th place couple is Kayda and Zach. In 3rd place is Melanie and Sincere. With 2 couples left, we learn that Trinity and Bryce are the winners making the 2nd place couple as Aniya and Carl! As a couple, they have won $100,000. Ariana also announces that there will be a S8 Love Island Reunion on Aug 31st! She looks forward to seeing them soon and they all jump into the pool which has become a rite of passage to end the season!
S8 WINNERS OF LOVE ISLAND
PHOTO CREDIT | Peacock/Ben Symons
WHO IS PAIRED, SINGLE & DUMPED
Each row represents the couples that exist at the end of the episode.
PHOTO CREDIT | Peacock/Ben Symons
Throughout this season, you were able to vote for your favorite Islanders or couples on Love Island USA. You downloaded the official Love Island USA app on the Apple Store or on Google Play. The viewer vote influences who couples up, who gets to stay in the Villa, and who goes home throughout the season. You can vote on the cast while episodes are airing and voting registration is open now.
PHOTO CREDIT | Peacock/Ben Symons
