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Embarrassing Update! I'm Actually Team Huda Now

Love Island stans have been a little disappointed about the lack of real love on season 7 of USA, but now it looks like the Islanders said “how about Hate Island instead?!” Episode 26’s call-out challenge has turned this Villa so topsy turvy that I think I need a Dramamine and an extra-strength mojito, STAT! While I’m reeling from Amaya’s sensitive gangster (hold for applause) defense, the most shocking revelation of the night is the fact that… and I hesitate to say this… I think I’m a Huda fan now?! I mean, what else am I supposed to do after my sweet, sweet Chelley wielded girl code like an expert swordsman? Chelley has been one of my favorite girls, easy, but calling your friend, partner, and crush crazy and insane in one sitting, all without showing a smidge of empathy, had me shook. Fam, I fear I’m officially Team Huda on Love Island USA after her drama with Chelley.

What happened between Huda and Chelley?

Love Island USA - Season 7
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Trouble started when Chelley was secretly side-eyeing Huda for bringing Chris back to the Villa after Casa. Chris’s primary interest was with Chelley, but he also had good chats with Huda, so Huda went to Chelley for her blessing to recouple with the mutual crush, knowing Chelley was going to pick Ace. Since Chris would’ve gone home otherwise, giving neither of them a chance to get to know him more, Huda called the move a “win-win.” Apparently, this logic didn’t sit right with Chelley, and instead, she suspected her friend’s motives were more selfish.

Then, the heart rate challenge happened, and no matter how many years the cast is reminded “it’s just a game,” someone always gets foul feelings over it. Huda aggressively sucked face with Ace (who, for the record, totally didn’t enjoy it and just “went along it”………), and Chelley felt it crossed a boundary (though it didn’t look wildly different than other behavior that night).

TBF, Chelley felt especially pissed because Huda used to guard Jeremiah’s lips like she was an international baller any time someone looked at him wrong, so it’s undeniable Huda wouldn’t have appreciated the same level of sexiness had they stayed together. Huda instantly regretted upsetting Chelley and cried for pretty much 48 hours straight, but Chelley refused to have a conversation with her, which in Love Island world is a long-ass time to hold a grudge. (Note to Cierra: “protecting your peace” is not outwardly being mad while ignoring everyone who deserves an explanation for days on end.)

Huda vs Chelley During The “Call Out Challenge”

Love island usa Huda
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When it was Chelley’s turn on the podium, Huda wrote a message asking if Chelley remembered saying “relax, it’s just a challenge” every time Huda was “tweaking” over new bombshells targeting Jeremiah.

“Too many times I gave you a lot of grace for stuff, and I’m trying to hear you out, but I really don’t, and right now it’s starting to aggravate me,” Chelley said. (Chelley v much using the word “start” liberally here.) So Huda apologized for fucking up, hurting her friend’s feelings and promised not to do it again. In return, Chelley stayed completely mute when Huda asked for forgiveness because their friendship meant more than a challenge… way harsh, Tai!

Why are people Team Huda?

Huda Love Island
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Not to give Taylor, like, any credit ever, but he kind of ~did his big one~ when he said Olandria expected him to “move for her” on this island, but he was actually here to find love for himself. So why is everyone still so bitter that Huda made some (okay MANY) mistakes for doing that too? It seemed like Nick’s poking during this challenge was another opportunity to chastise Huda, 15 episodes later, because of how much she liked Jeremiah when it didn’t work out. This cast’s fixation that Huda and Jeremiah liked each other so much was the problem (not the toxic way they handled conflict) is baffling to me. They even sent Jeremiah home because he was showing feelings for Andreina, like the big bad ones he had for Huda. Hello, it’s LOVE island people, catching feelings is basically the entire point!

The main reason I’m backing Huda is because of the way Chelley turned into Misses Cut Em Off on her day one bestie for a minor infraction. The kiss with Ace, OTT or not, didn’t have any intent behind it. It’s also clear as day to everyone, including Chris, that Chelley isn’t actually interested in pursuing him over Ace (and never has been!!!). Chelley was probs correct when she suspected Huda’s real motive to keep Chris was a bit selfish — because it was! This type of “selfishness” is what Love Island is about. Huda, who has obviously grown since her mess with Jeremiah i.e. the other point of the show, basically got down on her knees begging Chelley for forgiveness, and in return, Chelley was colder than the Fijian ocean after sundown.

NGL, it doesn’t help that Chelley has her girls stepping in like minions (I’m starting to see why she and Ace are so compatible) to back her up when she seems plenty equipped to hold Huda to task on her own. Those two, bless their hearts, might have time better spent unpacking their own relationships instead of writing into Huda and Chris’ mailboxes soooo many times about perceived lack of loyalty.

There is no girl code on Love Island when it comes to a guy two people are interested in at the same time, except for being honest about it, which Huda has been. My good sis Olandria outing a random kiss from last night when Chelley had clearly already deaded her exploration with Chris felt punitive. It wasn’t even Huda and Chris’s first kiss! TLDR, seems like this whole damn cast got way too comfortable with Huda being the villain and had no qualms making mountains out of a mole hill to keep it that way.

And for that reason, I will be semi-begrudgingly backing the underdog who instead of crashing out is trying to work on herself, damn it! Now, Ariana, please get this girl gang back together.

Marissa Dow
MARISSA is a trending news writer at Betches. She's more than just another pop-culture-addicted-east-coaster-turned-LA-transplant...she's also an upcoming television writer and aspiring Real Housewife (whichever comes first). Live, laugh, balegdah.