In TODAY.com’s new weekly “Love Island USA” column, content creators Tess Higgins and Sally Darr Griffin break down the latest group of Season 8 episodes, sharing their thoughts on the new bombshells, couplings and dumping. Check back here over the next six weeks to read the duo’s hot takes and follow @tessdhiggins and @sallydarrgriffin on their socials to keep up with them throughout the week.
“The summer has officially begun!” host Ariana Madix announces to welcome viewers to “Love Island USA” Season 8.
The supersized premiere kicked off with an elaborate music video set to “Say You Do” by Sigala, Imani Williams and DJ Fresh that featured the first 10 islanders and Madix. Next, the cast made their way into the Fijian villa and introduced themselves to each other in the nearly two-hour episode. After the islanders shared brief facts, it was time for the first game. The islanders tested their compatibility and chemistry with each other in a game that ended with everyone making out multiple times.
Then, it was time to couple up, forming the first couples of the season. Without further ado, the couples are…
Trinity and Bryce.PeacockMelanie and Sincere.PeacockKenzie and Zach.PeacockAmiya and KCPeacockBeatriz and SeanPeacock
How are TODAY.com’s “Love Island USA” Season 8 commentators Tess Higgins and Sally Darr Griffin feeling about Season 8’s potential?
“This episode was an hour and 45 minutes. It was basically a movie and I did enjoy every single second of it because I love ‘Love Island.’ I’m so excited that it’s back!” Sally tells TODAY.com about the first episode. She adds that the extended premiere allowed fans to really get to know the islanders instantly.
Tess was also a fan of the episode and shares why one islander’s decision in a game could cost them a spot in the villa.
Find out what Tess and Sally thought about the initial pairs and the rest of the steamy premiere, including the two bombshells.
Best Moment
Beatriz Hatz and Trinity Tatum in “Love Island.”PEACOCK / Ben Symons/Peacock
Tess: “I always love the girls getting a chance to connect alone and with Ariana (Madix) before the guys come in, because we love seeing the friendships develop on this show as the audience. It really sets the tone nicely for the group to get excited and get to know each other, like even outside of the couples.”
Sally: “I would say the bombshells coming in at the end. I was anticipating it the entire time. That’s always how a great first episode should end. It shocks the audience and it shocks the Islanders. It’s so fun to see the look on everyone’s faces. And they do it differently every time and I think the game that they played bringing them in was so fun.”
Biggest Surprise
Tess: “No one standing behind KC’s door to match with him. Maybe this was because of his, you know, ‘We all like to work out, right?’ comment that he made. Because I could see that rubbing people the wrong way, perhaps. Curious to see where things go for him.”
Sally: “I would say in the last game that they played where each person in the couple got to decide if they wanted to stay or switch. Both Trinity and Bryce decided to switch, which I thought was interesting because I thought they were having a good time. They were getting to know each other and I didn’t expect for both of them to decide to switch it up. Then also, Aniya and KC both stayed. I thought that was interesting because in the original coupling game they got together by default, and so I thought it was kind of sweet and then they decided to stay and get to know each other. I’m excited to see where they go.”
Best Couple
Melanie and Sincere.PEACOCK / Ben Symons/Peacock
Tess: “So far, I’m getting a good vibe from Melanie and Sincere. They seem like a good early match to me. I think she was charmed by him, and they do have that east coast connection.”
Sally: “Melanie and Sincere. They seemed to really like each other. They’re vibing and they seem to be the strongest ones right now.”
Biggest Winner
Tess: “I thought Trinity was really funny this episode. She comes across really carefree and unafraid to speak her mind or make a bold choice. I’m also excited to see where things go for her, especially as the youngest member of the cast so far. And being paired up right now with a guy who is much older than her.”
Sally: “I would say Melanie and Sincere because they do seem to have a thing going and I’m really excited for them. I would say that they would probably be the public’s favorite at this point, so they’re the biggest winner in that sense. Then I would say also Zach because his brother is Charlie (Georgiou) from last season. All of these people are new to us, but Zach kind of has a little bit of an advantage because we feel like we know him. We know his brother and he also really looks like his brother.”
At Risk of Being Dumped
Tess: “Kenzie. You know, Zach was really giving her friend-only vibes, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone else she was connecting with right now. Seemingly she was super excited about him and into him, and it just wasn’t giving a match. Not sure where that leaves her.”
Sally: “It is early days. You never know with ‘Love Island.’ People could be dumped tomorrow. I hope not. I hope people get to stick around a little bit longer that we just got to know over the course of an hour and 45 minutes. But I would say Kenzie and Sean because they were the two people that were left alone at that final stay or switch it up game.”
