Love Island’s Ace & Chelley Unpack Their Pre-Show Connection
Reality TV romances: nothing says ‘true love’ like a production crew mic’d to every heartbeat. Love Island USA season seven contestants Michelle ‘Chelley’ Bissainthe and Ace Green finally explained how their behind-the-scenes friendship shaped their time in the Fiji villa. Despite online chatter and rumors, both stars insist that knowing each other before Day One was less about a secret alliance and more about clear communication.
Ace confirmed in a July 11 interview with Variety that “Chelley and I knew each other before the experience. We had a conversation that went, ‘I know who you are. You know who I am, but that doesn’t mean we gotta be coupled up together right away.’” The pair’s loved ones had earlier shut down gossip that they were already an item before cameras rolled, leaving fans wondering if they’d arrive as an unbreakable duo.
True to his word, Ace spent the first recoupling exploring a connection with dancer Amaya “Papaya” Espinal. “I wanted to do that with Amaya and see where things could go,” he said, clarifying that his headspace was focused on discovering genuine chemistry rather than leaning on any preexisting bond. When sparks failed to fly, he switched course and gravitated back toward Chelley a few days later.
Viewers questioned whether their maneuvering was calculated, but Ace fired back that strategic gameplay was the last thing on his mind. “I’ve already had a following coming into this, and I didn’t want to come in with that entertainer mindset,” he admitted. He emphasized being “very intentional” with his conversations, pulling aside fellow Islanders to clear up any confusion and advising them to be upfront if they weren’t interested. “I never was strategic. I stated how I felt every time.”
Chelley, a 27-year-old dancer from New York, echoed the sentiment that her pre-show bond with Ace was more of a conversation starter than a fixed plan. From Day One she encouraged everyone to “explore and get to know each other.” While not all Islanders embraced her open-minded approach, Chelley made it clear that the villa was her sandbox for connection, whether that meant chatting with the girls or testing flirtations with the guys.
As their stint in Fiji wrapped, Ace and Chelley declared themselves “exclusive,” leaving no doubt that their relationship plans extend beyond the sun-soaked recouplings. “We are going to take our time day by day,” Ace shared. With life outside the villa already feeling like a different planet, both are eager to deepen their bond away from constant cameras and palm trees. They admit that the real challenge begins once production wraps, when mundane chores replace sandcastle contests and genuine communication will be their guiding principle.
In short, this isn’t some premeditated play for the final rose. It’s two people discovering if real sparks can survive reality TV’s lens. Here’s hoping the sequel in real life is just as entertaining—and slightly less humid.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Variety
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
