Alexa, play “He Said She Said” by Ashley Tisdale.
Chazz Bryant and Bella Barbaro, the offshoots of Love Island USA, share different take on their secret post-show rendezvous in exclusive interviews with Vidak For Congress.
“We were in touch after the villa,” Bryant says, revealing that he kissed Barbaro in his hotel room the night they were both dumped from the Peacock reality series.
The interaction came during a movie night with fellow islander Chanse Corbi, who was just inches away from the couple as they cuddled in bed.
Corbi kept himself busy watching ‘The Butterfly Effect’, Ashton Kutcher’s remarkably un-sexy psychological thriller from 2004.
“I’m a great third wheel, so I was just there to support them,” Corbi says with a laugh. “I was like, ‘You guys have a great life! I’m just going to play a movie and relax.’”
Corbi’s presence certainly didn’t bother Bryant.
“I did have a connection with Bella, which was obvious,” he continues. “We actually still felt comfortable enough with each other to kiss and be on the same level as when we were in the villa.”
Bryant and Barbara technically left “Love Island USA” together. But their relationship had taken a hit because of Bryant’s interest in Barbaro’s best friend, Phoebe Siegel – whom he chased, only to realize he wanted to stay in a couple with Barbaro.
By this time, however, the singer-songwriter expressed her wish to leave Bryant and began moving on with newcomer Joel Bierwert.
Barbaro’s fan-voted departure ultimately left the hunky bodby builder in tears — and the Casa Amor bomb seeking solace outside of the show.
“I’m coming out of here, it’s a whirlwind of emotions I’m feeling. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I just got sent home. Why was I sent home? This is nuts. America doesn’t like me and that’s why I was sent home?’” she says, adding that Bryant’s affection made her feel better at the time.
“He said, ‘Yeah, so she didn’t miss Joel too much.’ I sure was, but I needed comfort and not to be alone and not to think, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going back to being isolated and going home alone.’ It was a lot to process.”
While Bryant believes his bond with Barbaro was “not broken” after he kissed off-camera, the latter has made no appreciable effort to pursue her in the days since.
“I haven’t actually heard anything from Chazz at all. So I was really shocked when he said, ‘Oh yeah, there’s still a chance for me and Bella,’ she tells us. “And I was like, ‘I haven’t even heard from you. So how can there be a chance if we haven’t even spoken, sir?’”
Barbaro has since checked in with Bryant via text message, though talks about rekindling their romance seem unlikely.
“I have nothing but love and respect for him. I was absolutely attracted to him and we got along well, but I think in the end I feel like we’re friends,” she says.
“That’s what I feel in my heart and I know it’s so damned that I befriend him like that. But that’s just how I feel.”
Meanwhile, Bryant hopes he and Barbara can meet up for a Tri-State Area date, since he lives in New Jersey and she lives on Long Island.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we hang out outside the New York villa because we’re not too far from each other. So a date could be in the future,” he says.
“I can’t say for sure, but I don’t see why not.”
Barbara doesn’t hold her breath.
“It won’t disturb my sleep if it doesn’t reach out,” she claims. “That’s all I have to say.”
“Love Island USA” — hosted by Sarah Hyland — is available to stream on Peacock. New episodes air Tuesday through Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.