For six weeks, Love Island USA season 8 viewers have watched dozens of islanders try their luck at finding love with other singles in Fiji. It was hard not to pay attention to this season, which had the highest premiere ratings in Peacock’s series history. After 33 episodes, weeks of controversy, a digital gender war that just wouldn’t end and, of course, endless memes, we’ve finally made it to the finish line. And fans have ushered the friend group, dubbed the “Core Four,” and their partners into the final vote. Interestingly enough, each is anchored by a Black or Afro-identifying woman, the first time in Love Island USA‘s history.
On Sunday, one winner will walk away with $100,000 — either to take it all home themselves or to share with their partner. And in the following weeks, we’ll see islanders reap the benefits of sponsorship deals, newfound fame and, potentially, a budding relationship.
Before we wrap up this season, let’s take a look at how the final four couples got here, who we believe the winners will be, and how we foresee their relationships progressing beyond the villa.
Trinity and Bryce
This is the couple no one expected to stick it out all season — let alone make things official. On day one, the 22-year-old from Newport News, Virginia, and the 29-year-old from Los Angeles seemed like they were going to be each other’s “safe” option until someone more fitting walked into the villa. And for a while, that was true. Bryce attempted to explore his connection with Kayda, his best friend’s girl, after expressing uncertainty about whether Trinity truly had feelings for him. In a surprise reaction, Trinity made it clear that she didn’t like Bryce doing that one bit (she had started catching feelings).
During Casa Amor, the mid-season catalyst that brings in bombshells to test each relationship, the pair cried over each other. Trinity made out with Corey, which made her realize she wanted to stick with Bryce. Afterward, shared that she was nervous about dating him, a white man who had never seriously dated outside of his race and that he had the same anxieties about her.
This couple has handled their ups and downs in a communicative — and sometimes goofy — way. Compared to the drama we’ve witnessed with the other couples in the villa, it’s no wonder Brinity is a fan favorite. Up until the finale, they were also the only couple to get an official date. If we were betting, we’d say this is Love Island USA‘s winning couple this season. Outside of the villa, they’ll have to overcome racial differences, distance and an age gap. But if Bryce’s grandma was any indication of the support they’ll have once the cameras are cut, then these two have a real shot at maintaining a healthy relationship in the real world.
Aniya and Carl
Viewers may not have spent as much time with this couple, but they’re giving us something to root for nonetheless. Aniya and Carl are sweet together. They’re the kind of couple you’d expect to see on The Bachelorette or Love Is Blind. After meeting during Casa Amor, it was evident that Aniya, 23, and Carl, 28, had potential for a strong connection. Many were rooting for Aniya to pick Carl at the recoupling after Casa Amor, especially after hearing KC’s disparaging comments about their relationship. When Aniya decided to stay with KC after the Casa Amor recoupling, only to learn that he had left her for his match with Tierra, Carl was kicked out of the villa.
Aniya and Carl’s relationship got a second chance after viewers voted for Carl to return to the show. With his gentlemanly charm and attention to detail, Carl consistently doted on Aniya in a resonant way, delivering the romanticism and care she has been looking for.
Watching their relatives meet on family day felt like watching two families who had already established a bond. With similar affluent backgrounds and what seems like an earnest interest in learning about each other’s cultures, if the calm these two share is any indication of how they’ll handle the road ahead — maintaining a long-distance relationship included — then they have the potential for a long-lasting relationship. If they don’t take the top spot on Sunday, they will most likely end up as the runner-up couple.
Kayda and Zach
This couple’s journey has been a roller coaster ride. Though they’ve been together since Kayda entered the villa as a bombshell on day three, their relationship has left viewers with more side-eyes than adoration.
Throughout the season, Zach, 26, manipulated Kayda, 22, and other islanders. After he and Kayda were intimate in The Hideaway, he joked about exploring future bombshells who come in. Zach has proven that his jokes hold some truth. He didn’t cook Kayda breakfast after “jokingly” threatening not to. After Casa Amor, Zach omitted the truth about how he decided to return to Kayda (his Casa partner was kicked out for using a racist slur).
Whether fans agree with their decision to date exclusively without making it official just yet isn’t the biggest issue in their relationship. In order to last, these two need to create a secure attachment style that doesn’t rely on optics, comparisons to other couples or seeking others’ opinions to thrive. Transparency will go a long way in that.
Even if they do become more secure in their relationship — and cut out the petty jabs at each other — they’ll also need to figure out the most drastic distance gap of all the couples. New Hampshire is at least a 22-hour flight from Australia. We’ll see how far exclusivity gets these two.
Melanie and Sincere
Melanie needs to run.
These two may adore each other, but they’re in one of the most toxic relationships we’ve ever seen on Love Island USA. Melanie, 24, and Sincere, 25, chose each other on day one. Since then, we’ve lost count of the lies Sincere has told. When we met Melanie, she was bubbly and lively. Sincere’s duplicitous actions and words have sucked the vibrancy from her over time.
Sincere lied about his connection with Sol, lied about his connection with Amora, used the same pet names and pick-up lines on different women in the villa and has barely been moved by the damage he’s caused. Sincere’s stepdad’s apologies felt more authentic than his son’s repeated promises to “fix it.”
In all honesty, Sincere and Melanie shouldn’t be in the final four. America’s desire to see Melanie come out on top might’ve been the dominant factor in this couple making it this far. So many people — and brands — have been rooting for Melanie to leave Sincere, including JetBlue, which is decidedly #TeamMelanie and has offered her a vacation if she just “leave that man.” Judging by her comments after family day, however, it seems like Melanie is willing to risk further heartbreak by giving Sincere yet another shot.
The world outside of Love Island is an entirely different beast. Though they probably won’t end up with the crown this season, there’s no doubt that Melanie’s life will flourish when she finally cuts ties with her inSincere man.
Love Island USA Season 8 finale airs Sunday, July 12, on Peacock.
Read more of EBONY’s Love Island USA coverage.