“Love Island USA” contestant Mady McLanahan says leaving the villa was the “best decision” she’s ever made.
“The week after Andy [Voyen] It really became a struggle,” she says in an exclusive interview with Vidak For Congress, revealing that the handsome real estate agent’s untimely departure from the Peacock reality show resulted in the “greatest heartbreak” of her life.
“I was really trying to stay positive and get myself out there. Just because I knew it was my own fault, I had to see if there was another connection… I really tried,” explains McLanahan.
“But at the end of the day all I could think about was Andy.”
Earlier this week, in a surprise elimination, the islanders were ordered to send a girl and a boy home.
The group eventually sent Bryce Fins to pack. But McLanahan left of his own accord, convinced that no other man could match Voyen, whose sweet nature and love for his family she could not resist.
“When it came down to it and I knew someone would have to leave, there was a voice in my head that said, ‘You should volunteer.’ And when I said it, I thought, ‘Yeah, this is the right thing for me to do,'” she explains.
“I knew it was time to end my journey and begin someone else’s.”
McLanahan’s farewell speech shocked her castmates, leaving many in tears and her villa bestie, Deb Chubb, seemingly inconsolable.
“Seeing Deb so hysterical was one of the hardest moments of my life. Other than Andy leaving, that was my hardest goodbye. She’s my best friend now and I didn’t want to leave her. I really miss her and everyone else because we’ve all become so close,” she says.
“But it wouldn’t have been fair to anyone if I had stayed another week and my head still wasn’t in it.”
After Voyen left, McLanahan attempted a relationship with new boy Jared Hassim, but her bond with the sexy photographer paled in comparison.
“When I talked to people I was attracted to them, they checked a lot of my boxes, but I just didn’t see it working,” she admits.
Earlier in the season, Voyen briefly explored a romance with contestant Sydney Paight. However, he regretted his decision and ultimately chose to re-link with McLanahan, though – unbeknownst to viewers – he had to work hard to win her back.
“He told me he realized how much he really loved me and how badly he wanted a second chance and although he didn’t deserve it, he would do anything to earn that respect back,” she reveals.
“They didn’t show all the effort he put in and how apologetic he was for putting me in that position in the first place.”
After a reconciliation with Voyen — and a succession of “deep, good conversations” — McLanahan felt they could thrive in the real world.
“I took everything into consideration… Would I potentially see myself marrying this person years later? Would this person be a good father to my future children? Because those are the conversations you need to have when you’re dating,” she says of their discussions.
“I just knew from the moment we started having conversations that our connection could work outside the villa too.”
Now that they’re both back home — McLanahan in Oklahoma and Voyen in Minnesota — the pair have made plans to reunite in person next week after flirty FaceTime calls and countless texts.
“He plans to come to Oklahoma. We talked a lot about brunch on our brunch date [in the villa] and how much he loves bottomless mimosas, so I think we should definitely go for brunch,” the social media marketing manager teases.
“I think just having quality time and catching up and having those conversations about what our future would look like is really the goal — as well as going out to dinner and having a few margaritas because I miss margaritas.”
McLanahan and Voyen are currently recording their relationship “one day at a time,” she says. “Obviously we need to get back to the realities of life, but we’re in a really good place, we have a lot of hope to see what could come next and we’re excited.”
Thanks to the accelerated experience of “Love Island USA” they have already determined that they are “open” to moving for each other.
“I think a future with Andy would be really fun. We’re both very positive people and we bring out the best in each other,” McLanahan told Vidak For Congress, adding that their respective lovers gave their approval by watching the couple’s love story unfold on screen.
“So I definitely see a very good future with him.”
“Love Island USA” — hosted by Sarah Hyland — is available to stream on Peacock. New episodes air Tuesday through Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.