I absolutely hate how Chelley got dragged into the villa’s first Love Island USA romantic chaos

Love Island USA Season 7 star Chelley | Image via Instagram/ @loveislandusa
Love Island USA Season 7 star Chelley | Image via Instagram/ @loveislandusa

When Chelley ended up in the middle of the Love Island USA villa's first romantic triangle of the season, I must admit that I was annoyed. She entered the game with a definite goal in mind: to establish a sincere bond, particularly after her reunion with Ace, which inspired optimism. In my opinion, she deserved better than to be treated as a pawn in the early drama.

It felt untidy and unjust when Yulissa suddenly showed up and abruptly paired up with Ace. It was a betrayal, in my opinion, not only to Chelley but also to the audience who were supporting her developing romance. Instead of allowing genuine relationships to emerge naturally, it appeared as though production forced that twist to create conflict.

I believe the integrity of the game is compromised when someone is propelled into a romantic triangle even before connections have had a chance to develop. Fans like me are drawn to genuine romance rather than manufactured turmoil. I was disappointed to see Chelley struggle through that since it seemed more like a pre-written conflict engine than a show about love.


The first love triangle: Chelley’s journey on Love Island USA Season 7

I think that Chelley Bissainthe's surprising involvement in the villa's first love triangle during season 7 of Love Island USA was more about staged drama than organic relationship dynamics. Following her initial playful reunion with Ace, it seemed as though real chemistry was developing.

But when Ace became interested in Yulissa, a controversial bombshell, Chelley was abruptly dragged into the drama. This change, in my opinion, shows how easily emotional momentum can be shifted on the show, and not necessarily in favor of genuine romance.

Ace and Chelley, who established a pre-show bond, appeared ready to be paired up in Love Island USA Episode 1. Then Yulissa showed up and went straight after Ace, essentially robbing him and leaving Chelley in a bind. It was painful to watch her cope with that betrayal.

I believed it was unfair for her to be thrown into a tournament she hadn't entered, which relied more on unexpected events than on emotional connections. In my view, this approach leads more to drama than to true dedication.

After that scene, the tension persisted. Conversations in the Love Island USA group were affected, with Ace looking conflicted and Chelley trying to get back on track. Electricity crackled between them as the tension in the villa increased. That, in my opinion, should have been the moment when Chelley could have taken charge of her story, but instead, she felt like a pawn. Viewers who enjoyed their first connection should have been treated better than to a plot device to begin the season.

The emphasis on spectacle over authenticity in contemporary reality dating shows is highlighted in this episode. Although Love Island USA is excellent at providing a tropical escape, this turn of events draws attention to the developing conflict between emotional authenticity and entertainment.

For me, Chelley's love triangle felt more like manufactured crossroads created by the producers than romantic. If the villa truly wants to showcase deep ties, I believe her emotional journey deserves more respect and less manipulation.


Binge all episodes of Love Island USA on Peacock at 9/8c.

Edited by IRMA