‘I think I found love’: Mehdi and Mal share their Love Island truths after being dumped

Yet again last night’s episode of Love Island was a shocker – and it saw Mal and Mehdi sent packing. After the public had been asked to vote for a favourite boy and girl, the Islanders with the least votes were instantly dumped, which meant Mal and Mehdi had come to the end of their Love Island journeys.

It was a shock, and Whitney was most gutted, being currently coupled up with Mehdi. But what did Mehdi and Mal think about it themselves? Here’s what they had to say, reflecting on their time on the show.

Mehdi thinks he ‘could’ve found love’ on Love Island

When asked how it feels to be leaving Love Island, Mehdi said it’s “sad” and that he thinks he did find love with Whitney. “It was such a great experience, I’m so thankful for it,” he said. “I’ve met incredible people, and made friends for life. I feel like I could’ve found love with Whitney, so it’s to be continued on that one.”

He said his experience with Whitney had “ups and downs” but was overall “great”. He said he is “hopeful we can make things work” but that for now “she needs to live her experience to the fullest.”

He added: “I did want to explore a connection with Leah, but I was always drawn back to Whitney.”

‘Sammy was literally the boy version of me’

Mal left behind a potential connection with Sammy, who she had been coupled up with for a few days. She said it felt “like a dream” to be leaving the show, but she felt sad to be leaving someone “you have an instant connection with and have so much in common with like I did with Sammy.”

Mal added: “I do mean it when I say, Sammy was literally the boy version of me. My goodbye was so awkward, but sometimes I put on a front as it’s easier to laugh than cry. I didn’t want him to see me upset and I could see he was upset. He’s there to find a connection and I’m happy if he’s happy.”

She described her connection with Sammy as “just so innocent and pure, it was lovely,” and added: “From the moment I first met him to the last night, we had a very mature conversation. He’s grown so much. The most amazing thing to see in a person is growth. I could tell by the way he was acting around me. From what I’d seen before, he’s so different. I think before he didn’t really think before he spoke.”

Who were Mal and Mehdi closest to in the Love Island villa?

Mehdi said his closest friends in the villa were Zachariah and Jess because he “can relate to them.” He said: “Zachariah is like me, we are quiet and always chilling. Jess has the purest soul and she’s genuine, I was like a big brother to her.”

Mal said she had a strong connection with all of the girls. “They all surprised me so much, I’ve got such a soft spot for all of them,” she said. “I couldn’t say a favourite. I guess my soft spot would be Whitney and Ella. Ella and me had a cute bond, and Leah. All of the girls! I have no bad words to say about anyone, genuinely!”

Mehdi wants Whitney to come to Paris!

Mehdi and Whitney briefly spoke about Whitney coming to France to visit, and now he’s said he wants to plan some dates in Paris. “We’d have to go and eat some snails!,” he said. “Of course we would go to romantic restaurants, nice walks, go see the Eiffel Tower in Paris and do whatever she wants to do. I’d be her tour guide.”

So, who are Mal and Mehdi backing to win Love Island 2023?

When asked who they’re backing to win Love Island 2023, both Mal and Mehdi said Ella and Tyrique. Mal said they’re “fire and fire, but it works. I love them and they have potential to win.”

Mehdi added: “They have been a strong couple since day one – they always make the effort with each other. They are both so genuine and like each other. From inside the Villa it was so beautiful to see and I can’t wait to watch them blossom even more.”

Love Island 2023 is on ITV2 and ITVX. For all the latest Love Island news and gossip and for the best memes and quizzes, like The Holy Church of Love Island on Facebook. 

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