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

Sol Dean, a 24-year-old model who recently competed in the eighth season of Love Island USA, has shared her mixed feelings following her departure from the island. Returning home after a whirlwind experience in Fiji, Sol expressed her excitement to be back but noted the bittersweet nature of her exit from the villa.

Entering the competition as a bombshell, Sol quickly drew attention and became involved in a complex love triangle with fellow contestants Sincere Rhea and Melanie Moreno. Her journey on the show became increasingly dramatic, culminating in a recoupling event where Sincere and Melanie chose each other, ultimately leaving Sol without a partner. She was later teamed with Caleb McDaniel, but their pairing fell short in the eyes of fans, leading to her elimination alongside Gabriel Vasconcelos.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, Sol reflected on how her experience might have been altered had she entered the villa as one of the original islanders. She revealed that she would likely have chosen to couple up with KC Chandler instead of Sincere. Despite KC’s strong affinity for Aniya, he had shown interest in Sol as well. Unfortunately, he did not take the initiative to deepen their connection during the show.

“There was definitely a connection between me and KC that was palpable,” Sol remarked. “But I wish he had been more proactive in getting to know me. I think he was being overly cautious about how his actions would affect others.” She recalled a moment of optimism shortly before her exit, when KC expressed his intention to have a more in-depth conversation with her, only to leave it too late.

Her departure from the villa brought mixed emotions. Although Sol was ready to return home, she also felt a sense of loss and disappointment about the connections she had hoped to strengthen. “It felt like it got cut short, but everything happens for a reason,” she said. “It wasn’t the healthiest environment for me, so in a way, I was relieved to leave.”

Sol’s emotional turmoil peaked during a challenge when she was pied in the face by fellow contestant Zach Georgiou. She described that moment as a catalyst for her feelings of isolation within the group. “It felt like I was ganged up on,” she explained. “I was already struggling with the dynamics in the villa, and that just intensified my feelings of being excluded.”

Despite her feelings for Sincere, Sol’s experience was complicated by the ongoing tension between him and Melanie. As Sincere vacillated between the two women, Sol felt led on and ultimately disheartened when he chose to couple with Melanie. “I was disappointed; I thought I had a genuine connection with him,” she expressed. “It felt like I was misled despite knowing how strong his bond with Melanie was.”

The culmination of her experience, however, was marked by the manner in which she was informed of her elimination. Sincere, who had been at the centre of her emotional struggles, was tasked with delivering the news that would see her leave the competition. “I didn’t think he should have been the one to tell me,” Sol stated. “It felt inappropriate given the dynamics we shared, and it added to my frustration.”

Despite the complications that arose during their time in the villa, Sol does not harbour any ill feelings toward Melanie. In fact, they often engaged in candid discussions about their shared circumstance, albeit these dialogues were not broadcasted to viewers. “We were both affected by Sincere’s indecision,” she noted. “It was tough seeing someone you’re vying for show interest in someone else right in front of you. If the situation had been different, I think we would have been on a different path.”

In the aftermath of her time on Love Island, Sol looks back at her experience with a blend of pride and contemplation. Despite the challenges she faced, she is eager to embrace what lies ahead in her personal and professional life. As she settles back into her routine, she remains optimistic about the future and the connections that await her outside the villa.