Love Island USA’s Ace Greene and Chelley Bissainthe have some thoughts about how they were depicted on season 7 of the hit Peacock series.
Ace, 22, and Chelley, 27, took to Instagram on Thursday, July 17, to reflect on their journey in the villa.
“A million thank you’s would never be enough, but still, with love and grace: thank you! To every single one of you who stood by me throughout my time in the Villa, who believed in me, supported me, and saw me for who I truly am, I appreciate you more than words can express,” Ace captioned his post, which included photos of him and Chelley. “Before this experience I built my name and my brand on spreading love, making sure people feel seen, and being a light in this world. That’s always been my mission, and stepping into the Villa, I made a promise to myself: no matter what came my way, I would stay real, stay grounded, and stay me.”
Ace noted that he was happy with how he conducted himself in the villa.
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“I fulfilled that promise to myself and then some. I celebrate myself often because sometimes you have to be your own biggest cheerleader and also give yourself the flowers you deserve. This journey had its challenges emotionally, mentally, spiritually. But even in those moments, I never let go of who l am,” he explained. “As a man, I think before I speak and always listen to my heart when it comes to my feelings and what I choose to express; I cannot allow society and the ways of the world to dictate who l’m deemed to be. My time in Fiji has taught me that true strength is in honoring your feelings, your boundaries, your truth, even when it’s misunderstood.”
In his statement, Ace hinted that not everything was depicted the way it happened, adding, “I know there are a lot of questions, and trust, those answers will come with time. But right now, I just want this moment to be about the love I have for everyone out there. And since I know y’all are gonna ask …. yeah, I’m 6’5 after standing on all that business.”
Ace appeared unbothered despite his time in the villa being plagued with rumors about him and Chelley. When the show premiered in June, fans claimed Ace and Chelley were already a couple and had a secret child, which their teams denied as they remained in the villa. There was also onscreen drama between the couple and Huda Mustafa, which seems to have reignited after the finale.
“The truth is, who I am in real life and who I may have been perceived to be on TV are two very different things. But one thing is for sure I walked out that Villa a winner,” he continued. “I left with the most beautiful girl in the world, someone who truly means everything to me. And if I had to do it all again, l’d do it a billion times over. This chapter may be over, but the story is still being written. And I promise you, l’m just getting started.”
After being voted out one day before the finale, Chelley also weighed in on the challenges that came with trying to find love on national TV.
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“My time in the villa was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. It wasn’t always easy … there were plenty of rollercoasters, lessons, and unspoken moments but I wouldn’t change a thing. It led me to someone I truly adore. For that alone, I’ll always be grateful,” she shared. “I’ve never been angry with the world for having opinions. A lot occurred and went unseen, but understand that you’re only seeing a glimpse, maybe 10 minutes out of my 24-hour day in Fiji. Even though many things were out of context, it could never stop me from expressing my love and gratitude towards all of you.”
Chelley made it clear that she was also thrilled with how her Love Island USA journey ended.
“I love y’all. Even the ones who may not love me back. How I see it? At the end of the day… I won,” she noted. “I have my man. I have my circle. I have my peace. And I have YOU.”
She concluded: “I just ask one favor. that my supporters turned family continue to spread love and not hate. Keep lifting each other up. Keep choosing compassion. That’s how we change the world. Thank you for bearing with me during my little break. But we’re so back, babyyyyy.”
Love Island USA is currently streaming on Peacock and the reunion airs Monday, August 25, at 9 p.m. ET.
