The Love Island USA season 7 reunion shed new light on one of the most talked-about moments of the season, as extended footage from the controversial heart rate challenge was finally revealed.
During the episode, islanders revisited the moment when Huda Mustafa climbed on top of Ace Greene, the partner of Chelley Bissainthe, and performed a provocative dance. The incident sparked weeks of debate inside and outside the villa, with many fans questioning whether the broadcast had left out key details.
Watch Love Island USA: Beyond the Villa 2025 on CTV for Free Outside Canada [2025]
“I think that I took it a step too far for certain people, and I do apologize if I made anybody feel uncomfortable,” Huda admitted during the reunion special. “Everything was consensual. There was no limitations, and we all made that very clear at the beginning of the challenge.”
Cast Reactions to the Extended Clip
The unseen footage showed Huda turning away from Ace’s face as she sat on top of him, pretending to move her mouth down his body. Chelley, who had been critical of Huda’s actions in real time, stood by her reaction.
“I definitely feel like I was justified,” Chelley said. “I want to bring up a point of like, we’ve always mentioned the whole consensual thing, and everyone’s like, ‘Yeah, we’re all open to everything.’ So with that being said, it comes to a thing of this friendship and sisterhood. It was never because we didn’t consent to this.“
She continued: “I think when you do certain challenges, it’s with intention, because you’re interested in a person, you like a person. I mean, to my knowledge, [Huda] didn’t have any interest for Ace. So to go as far as that, as me being your friend, I think my reasons were very justified.”
Other islanders, including Iris Kendall, suggested there should have been more discussions about boundaries before the challenge. At the time, Ace and Chelley had been coupled for five weeks.
Tension Over Boundaries
Huda argued that she was “having a grand old time” watching her then-partner, Chris Seeley, participate in the same challenge. Chris, however, drew a line.
“Yeah, but I think there’s a difference between being danced on and licking private parts,” he countered.
Chelley echoed that sentiment, noting: “That’s why even Iris saying this whole boundaries thing, I don’t feel like I have to say, like, ‘Hey, don’t lick the person I’m connected with’s d—.’ Like, I don’t feel like I have to say this. It’s an invisible boundary, right, where I just don’t have to say that. Just also, as my friend, and again, just reciprocating what you want back.”
Andy Cohen Calls the Moment “Revelatory”
Reunion host Andy Cohen, who appeared alongside Ariana Madix, previously described the unseen footage as eye-opening.
“Also, we showed the extended version of the heart rate challenge, which was revelatory, I think, to the group,” Cohen said on Watch What Happens Live earlier this month.
The episode also featured winners Bryan Arenales and Amaya Espinal, along with runners-up Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe.
Fallout and Resolution
Chelley later told Variety that she needed space from Huda after the challenge. “We all stand on being a ‘girl’s girl’ and having each other’s backs,” she explained. “At that moment, I didn’t feel like that’s what happened.”
Still, she emphasized that the friendship has since been repaired: “We’re friends. I just needed my space from her, but now everything is good. We understand each other. Boundaries were set.”
Meanwhile, Amaya defended her fellow islander’s intentions during an appearance on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, saying: “Whenever we do challenges, we really just go all in. We don’t have a TV, we don’t have our phones. This is our entertainment, like, okay, we’re in an amusement park! Let’s just go for a ride.”
She added, “Listen, one thing about my girl is she’s a great dancer. When she shakes that booty, it’s an earthquake falling through. So, you know, I believe that she really just had fun.“
Love Island USA season 7 is now streaming on Peacock.
Source: People