Sean Reifel is shedding some light on a connection viewers never got to see.
The first islander dumped from Season 8 of Love Island USA revealed to People that he had his eye on Aniya Harvey while in the villa, despite being coupled up with Beatriz Hatz.
“I pursued Aniya every day. Every day I woke up, I was like, ‘I’m pulling Aniya for a chat,’” Sean shared.
“They just didn’t make the cuts.”
The former police officer admitted that, looking back, he wishes he had been more direct about his interest.
“Going back, if I could do anything differently, maybe I would’ve been more flirty in the conversations, but she’s just so easy to talk to, and I wasn’t even thinking about it,” he continued.
Although he’s back home in Pennsylvania, Sean says he’s still keeping up with the season and rooting for his fellow islanders.
However, watching hasn’t been as easy as he expected.
“I thought it would be more entertaining, that I know people on the show, but it’s actually harder to watch because when you see their emotions and [see] them heartbroken, you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s my friend, that sucks.’”
ICYMI: Sean was dumped from the villa during the June 7 episode after Beatriz recoupled with bombshell Gabriel Vasconcelos, leaving Sean single and vulnerable.
Love Island USA airs daily (except Wednesdays) at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.
