Friends of Love Island USA star Michelle “Chelley” Bissainthe have addressed growing speculation about her pre-show relationship status with Ace Green.
“We want to be transparent and clear the air as some of the rumors have gotten far from the truth,” a statement shared via Chelley’s social media profiles read on Thursday, June 19. “Chelley and Ace briefly crossed paths in New York and later connected on social media.”
Chelley, 27, and Ace, 22, are currently coupled up on season 7 of Peacock’s Love Island USA. While they did admit to briefly meeting before entering the villa, they downplayed a further connection.
Fans, however, have circulated a series of unfounded rumors that Chelley and Ace are allegedly lying about their connection, claiming that they are secretly married with a baby outside of the show.
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“They were never in a relationship, never lived together and there are no children or hidden past,” Chelley’s team statement added. “What’s unfolding now is real, unscripted and could change at any moment.”
Her friends added, “We’re fully supporting Chelley, wherever her heart leads and with whomever she chooses to couple [up] with.”
Neither Chelley nor Ace — who are currently in isolation in the Fiji villa — has further addressed the rumors.
Upon Chelley’s arrival on Love Island USA, she and Ace told host Ariana Madix that they briefly crossed paths before walking into the villa. The model explained that they met outside a club in Los Angeles at the start of the year. Since then, they exchanged occasional DMs on social media but made it clear that their bond was never anything serious.
Ace was first partnered with Amaya Espinal, who was stolen by Austin Shepard during the recent recoupling held behind closed doors. After getting to know both Chelley and bombshell Iris Kendall, he opted to choose Chelley.
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“I really like Chelley because she’s challenged me and help me let down my walls, be vulnerable and she’s helped me be a better person here in this villa,” Ace said in his recoupling speech, which aired on Peacock earlier this week. “She’s challenged me to be creative and step outside of the box, and that’s something that doesn’t come often for me.”
He added, “She’s gorgeous. Every time she walks those stars, no matter who she’s with, she lights up the room. I’m just excited to get to know her every day.”
After opening up Chelley’s door handle, they shared a sweet kiss while their fellow Islanders cheered.
“I’m feeling great [and] I’m feeling like [it’s] about time,” Chelley quipped afterward. “Like, it was a lot of emotions and processing. I’m actually really happy.”
Love Island USA airs daily — except for Wednesdays — on Peacock.
