“Love Island USA”’s Sol Dean Reveals Who She Would’ve Coupled Up with If She Hadn’t Entered as a Bombshell (Exclusive)

Yamillah HurtadoThu, June 25, 2026 at 7:58 PM UTC

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Sol Dean on 'Love Island USA' season 8Credit: Ben Symons/Peacock -

Sol Dean reveals who she would have coupled with if she didn't enter the Love Island USA villa as a bombshell

Back from Fiji, Sol also opens up to PEOPLE about her experience on the reality dating show

“I'm excited to be back home, but it is a little bittersweet,” Sol says

Coming into the Love Island USAvilla as a bombshell is no easy task, and for some, like season 8 contestant Sol Dean, it can be a whirlwind.

The 24-year-old model turned heads and stole hearts when she came on the hit reality dating show as a bombshell. Sol quickly captured the attention of the men in the villa and found herself in a love triangle with Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno.

As drama unraveled and tensions flared between them, it was time for the love letter recoupling. It was then that Sincere and Melanie chose to recouple, leaving Sol single and vulnerable.

She was then paired with Caleb McDaniel, but after fan votes determined they were one of the least popular couples on the island, her fellow contestants had to choose her fate, ultimately deciding to send her home along with Gabriel Vasconcelos.

Aniya Harvey, Trinity Tatum, Sol Dean, Melanie Moreno, Kayda Bosse, Jen Terry and Kenzie Annis on 'Love Island USA' season 8Credit: Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Sol reveals her time on Love Island may have looked different if she had come in as one of the original islanders. For one, she says she most likely would have coupled up with KC Chandler instead of Sincere. And while KC formed a strong connection with Aniya, he also expressed interest in Sol. However, he never actively pursued her.

“Me and KC's connection was something that you could feel the tension bubbling over the surface,” Sol confesses. “I wish he wasn't as cautious of other people's feelings. We all are here for ourselves and I just wish that he got to know me a little bit more. The few conversations we did have, they were really good.”

“I feel like he felt guilty of not even trying,” she notes, before adding that KC pulled her aside the day she left to tell her his plan to talk to her the next day. “You always do it when it's too little, too late.”

KC Chander on 'Love Island USA' season 8Credit: Ben Symons/Peacock

When she left the villa, Sol says she was “over” being on the show and wanted to go home because of how “discouraging” the experience was. At the same time, she wishes she had stayed for the chance to form deeper bonds.

“It was such an interesting, unique, one-of-a-kind experience,” she says. “I'm excited to be back home, but it is a little bittersweet.”

“It felt like it got cut short, but everything does happen for a reason at the end of the day,” Sol says. “I wasn't too upset, and if anything, it wasn't the healthiest environment for me. I was like, ‘You guys have taken me out of my misery. I'm happy to go.'”

The moment she realized she lacked strong connections was during the pie challenge. At the end of the event, viewers saw Sol break down in tears after Zach Georgiou pied her in the face. Sol clarifies she was emotional because she felt “ganged up on” by the other islanders.

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“I was already feeling the inclusivity of the house, and I was like, ‘Damn, everyone's closed off and they also don't even want to get to know me,'” she explains. “I didn't feel like those questions were warranted for me because no one knew me.”

Sol continues, “I am a strong person, but that broke my spirit. I really did my best. I felt like I tried to get to talk to people, and it wasn't reciprocated. It's a hard thing to navigate when you're in a living situation with people 24/7.”

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While Sol did form a connection with Sincere, it wasn't easy. Throughout her time on the show, Sol says Sincere was “ping-ponging” between her and Melanie. Sol says she was disappointed when he ultimately decided to couple with Melanie.

“I was let on at the end of the day,” she explains. “He was telling me one thing, and I just took him at face value with that. I knew that his and Melanie's connection was really strong.”

“I don't know if they were going tit for tat to each other and trying to hurt each other's feelings,” Sol continues. “I called them out after. I felt like I had to. I said what I needed to get off my chest. But, I mean, if they're happy, I'm glad. I just hope that it's healthy.”

Sincere Rhea and Sol Dean in 'Love Island USA' season 8Credit: Ben Symons/Peacock

Sol's hurt grew more when Sincere was the one to tell her the news that the men had voted her off the show. “Sincere shouldn't have gotten the privilege to tell me that information, especially since how he acted,” she explains. “I felt like that was just him getting the last laugh after I corrected him on some of his actions.”

“That was really low of him to even do that, and a little tone deaf,” Sol adds. “You led me on, you said one thing, and then other people weren't pursuing me because you were pursuing me. For him to back out and be like, ‘Well, I didn't do anything,' when he did, was frustrating.”

Despite the love triangle, there was no ill will between Sol and Melanie. She says they often had conversations about their situation, but they weren't aired.

“We were both feeling a type of way,” she notes. “We're upset at a common denominator, and it was Sincere. It's hard because you don't really see someone ever openly dating in front of your face. Circumstances would have been different if we didn't like the same guy, honestly. We were on the same conclusion about that.”

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”