After exchanging “I love yous” in the finale, season 8’s winning couple opens up about why they’re confident their relationship is built to last in the real world

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the Love Island USA season 8 finale, now streaming on Peacock.

NEED TO KNOW

• The winning couple open up about how they plan to make their relationship work after winning Love Island USA season 8
• The pair reflect on how their shared upbringing and supportive single moms strengthened their bond
• The pair also exchange “I love yous” for the first time and reveal plans to split time between their respective cities

After winning it all on Love Island USA, Bryce Dettloff and Trinity Tatum are looking toward their future together beyond the villa.

The pair won season 8 during the finale that aired on Peacock on Sunday, July 12, taking home the $100,000 prize.

During their final date in Fiji, the couple reflected on everything they’d overcome together before sharing emotional “I love yous” for the first time. Both said they’re excited to see where their relationship goes now that the cameras have stopped rolling.

“I’m really glad we got to this point,” Trinity, 22, told Bryce, 30, during their romantic dinner. “You were very patient with me. You’ve never once invalidated my feelings. I honestly feel like you’ve done everything right. Everything you’ve done was to make me feel comfortable.”

Bryce agreed that their relationship only grew stronger through the show’s challenges. “We’ve had the ups and downs,” he said. “But I feel like we’ve been able to overcome anything that comes our way.”

“Anytime I think about any of those things, it literally makes me so happy,” Bryce said. “I genuinely get butterflies.”

“I genuinely feel the same,” Trinity replied.

The couple also credited their families, particularly their moms, with helping shape their connection. Bryce pointed out that both he and Trinity were raised by hardworking single moms, something he believes gave them similar values.

“My mom had to raise two kids by herself,” he said, adding that Trinity’s mother had a similar experience. “I feel like that’s something personality-wise. That’s probably why you and I … there’s a lot of trust.”

Trinity agreed, noting that they both came from “very humble” beginnings. “Just seeing what our moms went through, I think that made us even better people,” she said.

As they begin planning life outside the villa, Trinity said she’s excited to experience Los Angeles with Bryce, while he made it clear she’s welcome for as long as she’d like.

“You come to L.A.,” Bryce told her. “I just want you to know you can stay as long as you want. The door’s open.”

The pair also plan to spend time in Trinity’s hometown in Virginia. “I want to go to Virginia,” Bryce says. “I want to see how you grew up.”

Looking back, Bryce said opening himself up emotionally was one of the best decisions he made. “I came in here with as open of a heart as I could on purpose,” he said. “I’m so glad I did that because it let this exist.”

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For Trinity, Bryce gave her something equally meaningful, she said: “When I’m with you, I feel like I can be myself. Be very open and just say anything. I feel like we literally think the same.”

Bryce said meeting each other’s families during Family Day ultimately confirmed what he had already been feeling.

“After Family Day, meeting your family and having them say they love me — and my whole family loves you — that sealed things in for me so much,” he said. “The way you make me feel. … I love you.”

An emotional Trinity immediately responded, “I love you too,” before revealing she’d been waiting for him to finally say the words.

“I was just waiting for you to say it,” she said.

The two shared a kiss as Bryce swept her into his arms before celebrating with champagne. “I don’t have to hide it now,” Bryce said with a smile, as the pair continued exchanging “I love yous” while toasting to the next chapter of their relationship together. 

Bryce and Trinity ultimately emerged as the winners over fellow finalists Carl Schmidt and Aniya Harvey, Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno, and Zach Georgiou and Kayda Bosse.

“I’m just so overwhelmed,” Trinity said after the win. “I never would’ve expected in a million years that I’d be in this position right now. … I’m grateful that he chose me to be his partner, inside of here and outside.”

Bryce echoed the sentiment, telling Trinity, “I do love you so much. Every day feels so special with you, and I can’t wait for life outside of this. I’m just so happy to be with you.”

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Later, Trinity became emotional as she reflected on what the victory meant to her.

“I’m processing it right now,” she said. “… I didn’t expect this to happen to me, especially where I’m from. There’s not a lot of things that really come out — like greatness. It does happen, but it’s rare. … I’m just really glad that I got to meet Bryce. He really makes me happy and makes me feel seen and heard.”

The Love Island USA season 8 reunion, co-hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen, will premiere Monday, Aug. 31, at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.

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