How did Ace and Chelley know each other before the Love Island USA Season 7?

Ace Greene and Chelley Bissainthe caused a stir on Love Island USA when they disclosed that they had met outside a party in New York City before entering the villa. They then engaged in sporadic social media communication. Ace acknowledged in the premiere that he had seen Chelley in person, and she verified that they had exchanged messages on Instagram.

Initially, their story seemed off the cuff, but as the season went on, fans noticed the constant flood of Ace likes and comments dating back as far as the summer of 2022 until a few weeks into 2025, including Valentine’s Day, that left fans wondering how well they were connected.

On June 19, as rumors flew, Chelley’s team had stepped in to clear things up, saying that, although the two had “briefly crossed paths in New York and later, in social media connected,” they were never a couple, never shared a home and had no reason to hide anything. And in their statement, they emphasised that their relationship started long before the villa doors were shut, and that it’s the real/raw thing you’re seeing in Fiji.

Some fans have praised their claims' veracity, while others have remained dubious, igniting a contentious discussion on social media and in internet forums. Ace's early comments on Chelley's blogs do suggest a deeper relationship than a simple acquaintance, but in the absence of more concrete evidence, it all boils down to what happens in the villa.

Ace and Chelley: A Love Island USA connection beyond the villa

The relationship between Ace and Chelley is being speculated as everything but casual before Love Island USA Season 7 even started. A low-key Instagram exchange was sparked by a one-night rendezvous in New York, but not everyone believes the background. Their relationship now hovers between coincidental and calculated, with fans discovering likes, comments, and Valentine's allusions from 2022 and Chelley's staff explicitly denying anything significant. Everyone was wondering how much of it was faked and what wasn't.

Their pre-show history

Ace and Chelley communicated via direct messages after meeting briefly outside a nightclub in New York, as they both described in the first episode. When followers discovered that Ace had been liking, commenting on, and even referencing Chelsea's postings since mid-2022, including a public Valentine's Day shoutout in February 2025, what had appeared to be an impromptu relationship took a turn for the worse. This digital breadcrumb trail sparked rumors that the two were more than just friends.

Love Island USA star Chelley's team responded on June 19 by posting on Instagram that they had just "briefly crossed paths in New York" and exchanged "occasional messages." They also emphasized that there was nothing more significant, such as a relationship, cohabitation, or a hidden past. Their statement put a definite end to rumors of a deeper pre-show link by emphasizing that what viewers are witnessing in Fiji is real and unscripted.

Their journey on the show

Ace and Chelley were first paired with other people when they arrived in Fiji on Day 1; Ace selected Amaya, and Chelley paired with Austin. However, they were unable to conceal their mutual chemistry for very long. Ace turned back to Chelley during the dramatic recoupling by the time Love Island USA episode 14 aired, which resulted in their formal coupling in the villa.

Their journey on Love Island USA has been a rollercoaster, with some applauding their connection as real and growing, while others accuse them of using an existing bond to manipulate the show. The pair's development, which veers between genuine chemistry and calculated placement, has become one of Love Island's most popular storylines, with both cast members and fans divided.

Trending

Watch all the episodes of Love Island USA Season 7 on Peacock.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback