Bryce Alakai and Trinity Tatum, the winners of Love Island USA Season 8, have spoken about their relationship after leaving the Fiji villa. The couple won the reality show’s eighth season on Sunday.Bryce and Trinity entered the show as singles but left as boyfriend and girlfriend after finding love during the six-week competition. They also took home the show’s $100,000 prize, which they will share.Speaking about the experience inside the villa, Bryce said the show brought intense emotions, anxiety and pressure. He said those moments helped strengthen their bond.“One thing that brings us closer is that comfort in those moments. We look at each other, like in those challenges and all of these things, I can confide in her and feel safe,” he told TODAY in their first television interview since the finale. “Bringing that in the world, it’s almost like, life is the challenge,” Bryce added.The couple first paired up on Day 1 of the show. Although both had opportunities to explore other relationships, Trinity said Bryce’s personality made her want to stay with him.
During the show, they exchanged their first “I love you” after spending six weeks together in the villa.
One of the biggest talking points during the season was their age difference. Trinity is 22, while Bryce turned 30 during filming. Bryce said Trinity’s maturity quickly made the age gap irrelevant to him.“I felt so comfortable with her, and our laughter, she understood, like, her level of comedy and everything just showed she was just so intelligent and so beyond her age, that the age gap ended up just like completely disappearing in my mind,” he said.Trinity agreed and said she now hardly notices the difference. “I honestly forget.” She also said the age gap has turned out to be a positive part of their relationship.“He can be very funny, but when it’s time to be serious and have those conversations, he knows exactly what to say. He gives the best advice.”The couple also addressed how quickly they fell in love. During the show, they exchanged their first “I love you” after spending six weeks together in the villa.Trinity said their relationship developed naturally because they spent every day together and had many personal conversations that viewers did not always see.
Trinity said their relationship developed naturally because they had many personal conversations that viewers did not see.
“We’re around each other all day, 24 hours, we’re having intimate conversations that sometimes you don’t see,” she said. “Genuinely, I feel like if you could be around somebody that long and you think you won’t fall in love? … That’s kind of insane.” She added that they are very similar in personality and are “always in sync.”After leaving Fiji, both admitted they are finding it difficult to spend time apart. Trinity described it as “a little separation anxiety” whenever they are away from each other. Bryce said their connection has continued even after the show ended.“Something we weren’t anticipating was just like how much our connection has affected us outside of here, too. Anytime she’s like, ‘I’m gonna go run this errand,’ I’m like ‘Where’s she going?’ Like my heart rate starts.”The couple said they are still adjusting to life outside the villa after spending nearly 50 days without phones or contact with the outside world.“We were just in Fiji like less 20 hours ago,” Bryce said. “So coming back in, 50 days without our phones, without any access to the outside world, it’s been unreal to see everyone’s responses. It’s a little overwhelming, to be honest.”Looking ahead, Trinity said she expects to spend more time in Los Angeles, where Bryce lives, rather than staying in her home state of Virginia. “I definitely want to be wherever Bryce is, that’s for sure. I don’t like being away from him.”