Belle-A Slams Nic After Brutal Goodbye: 'Cared More About What Was Beneath My Clothes'

Published: June 12, 2025

Belle-A Walker is opening up about her emotional departure from the Love Island USA villa, where she was blindsided by Nic Vansteenberghe and sent home during the season's first recoupling.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 22-year-old contestant shared how she was misled by Vansteenberghe, who had reassured her that she had nothing to worry about, only to send her packing her bags.

"Let me just tell you, that boy reassured me up and down and made it seem like I was not going home that night," Walker said. "I was definitely caught off guard. Of course, I knew it could have gone either direction, but moments, moments before the recoupling, my last conversation was with him and he was telling me, 'Bella, you don't have anything to worry about. I don't want you worrying about going into this.'"

Walker also claimed that much of her connection with Vansteenberghe was cut from the show, and that she was surprised to see how much of their relationship was edited out.

"I didn't think I was going to have to prepare a speech like that," she said. "So I am an investment, and you're not going to see the return on me the first day that you meet me. Nic was not willing to make that investment. He was more interested in seeing what was beneath my clothes and not beneath my surface. It really wasn't my loss."

Walker's departure from the show was met with shock and admiration from fans, who praised her for staying true to herself.

Earlier in the season, Walker caught viewers' attention by refusing to kiss any of the boys on the first day, a choice that quickly sparked conversation and admiration online. But she insists it wasn't a calculated move.

"If I inspired at least one other girl in this world that it's okay to set boundaries, small or big, it's okay to not compromise on your comfortability for anybody else. It's okay to do those things no matter your environment. I had a blast. Oh my gosh, I had the time of my life guys, or not honestly. It's like taking back the power. I love that."

Love Island USA episodes air every day but Wednesdays on Peacock.