Deb Chubb and Jesse Bray made it to the end of Love Island USA season 4, and happily accepted third place. Like all couples at the villa, they didn't get to the finale without a few ups and downs. At the start, it seemed like the couple wouldn't make it very far. When bombshell Valerie Bragg entered the villa, she quickly snatched up Jesse, only to let him go shortly afterwards, when he confessed to still having feelings for Deb. Unfortunately, Deb had a few reservations about her partner, and at one point, it seemed like they were done for good.
One of Deb's main concerns was Jesse's inability to be vulnerable. The contestant admitted that growing up without a father, and being raised by his mother and grandma, made it difficult for him to be open with a partner. Luckily, Deb was very understanding, and was happy that Jesse was honest with her. However, one of Jesse's worst moments was when he kissed Sereniti Springs, seemingly out of nowhere, during a challenge. This left Deb as the only female islander not to be kissed. Since he'd claimed to be solely interested in Deb, many islanders and fans were caught off guard.
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When it was time for Casa Amor, Jesse proved his loyalty to Deb by not attempting to get to know any female islanders in romantic ways. Deb, on the other hand, was swept off her feet by Kyle Fraser, who gave her the kind of affection that she wanted from Jesse. When Jesse came back to the villa single, and Deb was recoupled with Kyle, the female islander immediately questioned her decision, and got back together with Jesse soon after. The happy couple spoke to Screen Rant about how they overcame their relationship doubts, and what it was like being vulnerable on a show that was streamed across the nation.
Jesse, at the start of the season, Valerie chose to couple up with you. What did you see in your connection with Deb that made you immediately go back to her?
Jesse: After that, I did want to see how she would react. I know it was early days, and it showed me a lot about her character. That's where I think I really fell for her, because she just never stopped being herself. I was able to see how she interacted with the other islanders, and the girls just loved her, and all the guys loved her. Physically, I was very, very attracted to Deb, and that's what brought us together. Then, we connected on such a spiritual level, so that brought us even closer. Then, after how she handled everything with Val, it really showed me who she really was, and the type of person she is.
After Val left, you both mostly stayed with each other throughout the season. Were there any islanders you made connections with that weren't shown in the episodes?
Deb: No, not really, Mostly just friendships at that point.
Jesse, why did you choose to kiss Sereniti during the challenge instead of Deb, and did you regret your choice?
Jesse: Very good question. The night before, [Deb] had a lot of fun with her challenge. There was a lot of stuff being licked off her stomach, she was getting lap dances, so those new bombshells and Deb had a good time. I think it was my turn to have some fun, and after that, it really showed me how much Deb cared for me, and once I heard about how she felt after it, it literally broke my heart. I just never want to do that to her again. It honestly just opened my eyes a lot after that challenge.
Deb, you had one of the most outgoing personalities of the season. What was it like to be your authentic and funny self on television, and were you worried about how you would be received?
Deb: Of course I was worried about how I would be received. I just had to remember to be myself though. I had to keep reminding myself that I'm obviously here for a reason, I was picked to be an OG for a reason. There's obviously something about me that [people] hopefully liked. You forget so quickly how many cameras there are. It just becomes so normal, and it's because they're all around the villa, they're not necessarily in your face, so you just forget it, and so I truly was just being myself the whole time. I feel like I was either at one hundred or taking a nap or eating. When the bombshells would come in, and they'd be like omg we love you, I'd be like wait, you guys are watching? It's still hitting me that people watch me and support us and know us. It's so weird, but it is cool, and I'm glad that it seems to be received well, and that people think I'm outgoing and funny and energetic. That's a huge compliment.
Jesse, you admitted you struggle with vulnerability, what was it like having to overcome that on television? Did you feel more comfortable because you had Deb by your side?
Jesse: Just to know that [Deb] was dealing with the same thing really made me feel a lot better. We had a lot of talks that just brought me back to reality and let me know where I was because it is overwhelming at times. To be vulnerable, you really put yourself out there on the table, and you don't want to get hurt. We were both scared of that. After being vulnerable you just feel a lot better because it's not inside you anymore, it's out, so you just feel more free. I encourage anybody to just open up more, and it's okay to be vulnerable.
Deb, were you shocked that Jesse came back from Casa Amor without a partner, and how did this influence your decision to go back to him?
Deb: I knew in my gut that he would be loyal and that he wasn't going to bring anybody back. At the same time, I had my head telling me, don't be stupid, he's a man, and he's with six hot girls. It broke my heart to see him come back by himself. We did have a lot of fun in Casa, but I knew he would come back alone. I was like, this is why I should've listened to my gut. I think I was just trying to protect myself in a sense.
Jesse: I think it helped us after that experience. I think we were away for four days or something like that, so I think Casa Amor really saved us as a couple. Honestly, it was like the changing point for both of us. Shout out to Casa Amor. Shout out to all the Casa Amor, boys and girls. They were lit, man. We love them so much.
Jesse, were you really as happy for Deb and Kyle as you said you were?
Jesse: You know, leading up to that moment, the anticipation was just crazy. I didn't know what was going to happen. In the back of my head, I thought Deb's going to find some freaking guy that will treat her right and do all the right things. I knew it, but when you actually see it, all my feelings and emotions were just shot, it just hit me when I saw her. She was wearing a blue dress, and I didn't really want to look her in the eye. I was so, so happy for her just because it took a lot of courage for her to stand up and actually make that decision. I'm so happy that she was able to put herself first, and I think it opened our eyes about how much we like each other, but I was truly happy for her.
Deb, towards the end, you questioned you and Jesse's relationship a lot, why do you think it took you til the end to wonder if you were right for each other?
Deb: I think it was really starting to think about the outside world because when you're in the villa, you're so in the moment, you're like okay, we're here right now, and then all of a sudden, you get a text that there's a recoupling or a challenge or something. So it's like, you can't think that far ahead. In the villa I was like, I like you, we have a connection, that's kind of as far as it goes in a sense. Then, once we got closer to the end and started thinking about the outside world, I was just spiraling on thoughts and anxiety and fears and potential outcomes and unrealistic things. I obviously didn't want to get hurt, so to me, I was like, I could leave right now, it would be easier to run away and not face my fears. I would be protecting myself in that sense, but that's why I went in there, to find something real, and I was trying to run away from something real. It really took a lot of my friends (and self-reflection as well) to realize that I had something great in front of me, and I didn't need to throw it away.
Deb, what was the moment that made you change your mind and realize you did want to be with Jesse?
It was family day. Meeting his mom and grandma and seeing our parents together and seeing how much love his mom and grandma have for him, and talking so highly of him, and how he talks to them, and how he talks to my parents. It was just a whole new appreciation for him, and opened another part of my heart for him. So, that's kind of like what really made me realize that I really didn't want to lose him, and I want to continue. I just had to suck it up, get over my fears, and then put myself out there and be vulnerable even more, and tell him that I screwed up, and I'm sorry, and I hope you can forgive me, and that we can try to take the next step. And we did, and here we are! It's very exciting.
The Love Island USA season 4 reunion airs Thursday, September 1st at 9 p.m. EDT on Peacock.