Perhaps what’s even more fun than watching areality dating showunfold is picking fan favorites.
The couple remember the finale
Take me back to the finale moment.
You’re all standing there with Sarah Hyland, looking gorgeous, having become exclusive.
What was going through your heads at that very moment?
I got my hair rebraided, and that felt really good.
We didn’t know what was going to happen at this summer ball.
We got the text message, “Summer ball, 2022.”
We literally got all dressed up and had a good time, and we partied hard.
Deb Chubb: It was a lot of fun.
Standing up there was nerve-wracking, but I didn’t care about winning.
I was ecstatic to even be a part of the finale.
The fact that people recognized me and I was even there at that point was crazy.
I was like, “Wait, somebody’s going to win money?”
The journey has seen both of you waver.
Deb, you were questioning your connection pretty soon into the finale.
What ultimately made you realize that Jesse was the one and vice versa?
Deb: It was family day.
I didn’t want Jesse to have to feel that pressure.
I was sitting there like, “I really don’t want to lose this.
I need to fix this.”
You’re so perfect."
I’m going to swallow my pride."
Hopefully, he would take me back in a sense, or want to take that step.
I explained to him that I really did want to be exclusive.
I wanted to take things to the next step.
It’s important to leave the villa having had that conversation and having a mutual understanding in that way.
I told him I want to be exclusive.
I was hinting at him.
But he did, which I’m very happy about.
It all worked out.
I would imagine that it’s very easy to get in your head or overthink.
Deb: It really is.
No one has phones or anything, so all you’re free to do is talk to everyone.
You’re telling everyone something like, “Yeah, maybe I did see that.”
Then you have behind-the-scenes people trying to encourage you and help you and give you advice.
I’m an overthinker as it is.
It was being in a confined space with nothing but your thoughts.
Jesse: They did a good job.
Some days, we were able to decompress and relax, and [it] felt like vacation.
It was so sweet, and everybody treated us with so much respect.
I want to give a shout-out to everybody that helped us throughout this process.
Is that fair to say?
Deb: We definitely won.
Jesse: Yeah, I think so.
Deb: I don’t even care about the money.
Jesse: I wanted my [girl].
That’s all I needed.
Deb: That’s what I went there for.
I gained so much more.
It had been so much more than the money.
[It was] the whole thing itself.
We are all doing it.
Syd and Zay as well, man they’re so precious.
Me and Deb, we have our own thing.
Something I loved watching your journey as well Deb, you remained so relatable throughout the season.
Deb: Thank you.
You’ve been so honest.
What is it like now, knowing that you have so many fans and people rooting for your relationship?
Jesse: It’s an honor to be in this position.
She’s way out of my league, man.
Deb: Shut up.
Jesse: She’s way out of my league.
But everybody that’s supporting us, that means the world to me.
Deb: It’s been really cool, exciting, and crazy to see.
I’d be like, “How do you know me?”
I forgot that people were watching.
It’s a really cool thing.
[I’m] very thankful for it.
Next steps in your relationship?
You’re now out in the real world, so what does life look like moving forward?
Jesse: What we thrived on inside the villa was going at our own pace.
We know what we have, and my lease is up in Houston at the end of September.
We’ll be a lot closer.
I think everything will work out just fine.
We’re going to continue to take it day by day.
It’s such a crash course in being in a relationship.
Deb: It really is.
What kind of dates or things do you want to do now that you’re released into the world?
Deb: I’m actually most excited to Netflix and chill.
What did they learn from their time on Love Island?
What would you say your biggest takeaway from the show was or what you learned most about yourself?
Jesse: My biggest takeaway coming into the villa …
It’s so hard to open up.
I had a conversation with Tim you’ve got to live life with no regrets.
Being a part of something this big means the world to me.
I want to continue that same mentality outside the villa live life with no regrets.
That’s the biggest thing.
We’ve got the reunion coming up.
Deb: I’m excited to see Mady [McLanahan].
She and Andy [Voyen] were so sweet together.
Deb: I know.
Jesse: I’m excited to see everybody, man.
“Love Island” Season 4 concluded on August 28.
The reunion episode will drop on September 1 at 9 p.m./6 p.m. ET/PT.
This interview was edited for clarity.
