The pair had been together since the very first episode of Season 7.
Belle-A Walker is opening up about her emotional exit from the Love Island USA villa. In an exclusive chat with PEOPLE, the Season 7 contestant reflected on the shock of being blindsided by Nic Vansteenberghe and sent home during the season’s first recoupling.
Walker, 22, and Vansteenberghe, 24, had been paired since the very first episode, and their connection seemed to grow stronger after a steamy kiss during a challenge. But things took a turn with the arrival of bombshell Cierra Ortega. Although she felt confident in their bond, Walker says she was misled — ultimately left single and exposed at the firepit.
Let me just tell you, that boy reassured me up and down and made it seem like I was not going home that night, I was definitely caught off guard. Of course, I knew it could have gone either direction, but moments, moments before the recoupling, my last conversation was with him and he was telling me, ‘Bella, you don’t have anything to worry about. I don’t want you worrying about going into this.’
the former Islander tells PEOPLE exclusively over Zoom from Fiji.
And so I stopped worrying, And then what did he do? He sent me packing my bags. Never trust the man, never trust the boy. That’s not a man.
she adds.
After Vansteenberghe chose Ortega, 25, Walker used the moment to share a heartfelt message with her fellow contestants before packing her bags and leaving the villa.
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Now, reflecting on that emotional exit, Walker says the words she shared came straight from the heart.
I didn’t think I was going to have to prepare a speech like that, So I am an investment, and you’re not going to see the return on me the first day that you meet me. Nic was not willing to make that investment. He was more interested in seeing what was beneath my clothes and not beneath my surface. It really wasn’t my loss.
she says.
Following her exit, she was surprised to see how little of their bond made it to air. She also discovered details about Vansteenberghe’s interactions with Ortega that she hadn’t known at the time. For instance, Walker says she had no idea that Vansteenberghe and Ortega had shared an intimate moment in the villa’s photo booth just five minutes after he kissed her.
I was kind of painted more as just the third girl in this love triangle, and they gave Nic and Cierra the fireworks and the sparks and the depth, And you didn’t see that with Nic and I, there were so many intimate moments that we had and amazing conversations that we had that were cut out, and seeing him say a lot of the same things to her that he said to me.
He was constantly making us feel the exact same way, But watching the show, you would think Nic had his mind made up since the moment he met Cierra. So I don’t fault him for the decision he made, because he had to make one. What I fault him for is the way he went about it.
she adds
Early in the season, she made waves by choosing not to kiss any of the boys on the first day — a decision that quickly gained attention and praise from fans online. Still, Walker says it wasn’t a strategic choice.
Rather, it was about honoring her own values.
If I inspired at least one other girl in this world that it’s okay to set boundaries, small or big, it’s okay to not compromise on your comfortability for anybody else. It’s okay to do those things no matter your environment. I had a blast. Oh my gosh, I had the time of my life guys, or not honestly. It’s like taking back the power. I love that.
Love Island USA airs daily on Peacock, except Wednesdays.
Source: People