Model couple Em Miguel Leigh and Mercedes Knox were voted the winners of Love Island Australia 2024, so are they still together now?
Despite being voted the audience’s favourite couple, Em and Mercede’s relationship didn’t last long in the outside world.
Read on to find out more about what led to Em and Merecede’s break up.
Em and Mercedes: Did they survive outside Love Island Australia?
Em, a 26-year-old content creator, and Mercedes, a two-time FBoy Island US winner, were the first couple in the villa to make their relationship official.
However, the couple’s glaringly obvious obstacle was being from different sides of the world—which, according to Mercedes, led to the demise of their relationship.
During an interview with Chattr, Em explained that once she’d landed back in Australia, and Mercedes was in America, she started to see their relationship differently.
“My travel home was about 35 hours. I just thought about [the relationship] on the way home and realized that I didn’t actually trust this person.”
The model said that doubts crept in about Mercedes’ intentions, as he’d previously been on FBoy Island US twice.
“I was really grappling with, ‘Is he genuine? Was he just trying to make it to the end? He’s done it two times before.'” she explained.
In an interview with 9Now, Mercedes elaborated further and explained it was he who suggested that they take some time apart.
“Coming back from the Villa, we were on a high,” he said.
“After you come back, there’s a grace period where you get back to real life, and I kind of figured both of us were going to need that and incorporate that… so I said, ‘I think we need a break’.
“Then the break turned into being broken up.”
Em told the same publication that she felt the former couple miscommunicated about their breakup.
“I think I got home on Tuesday, and on Saturday, we agreed to take space. But I feel like the way Mercedes communicated that was a little lost in translation for me,” she said.
“His intention, he said later on, with taking space was that we would come back together. But I got that message and I was like, ‘We’re done’.”
On the upside, the Love Island winners appear amicable with each other, so is there a possibility they could rekindle their flame?
“Em is super excited to see me when I come to Australia,” Mercedes told 9Now.
“I don’t know if I would’ve said ‘super’… I’ll see you,” Em joked in response.
We guess it’s not a no?
Em and Mercedes’ Love Island story
Mercedes entered the villa as a bombshell, initially exploring connections with Xanthe Wessen and Sophie Mills. But things took a turn when Taylor Reid gave him the green light to pursue Em.
The pair got together just minutes after Em ended things with Taylor, who wasn’t too pleased despite giving his blessing. As usual, things move fast in the villa!
From there, Em and Mercedes’ relationship went from strength to strength, and the two made it to the Love Island Australia finale alongside Kaylah and Eric and Niko and Mia.
What happened between Em and Mercedes after the Truth Bike?
During the ‘Truth Bike’ challenge in the villa, Em became pretty upset with Mercedes after he decided to share with the group that the couple had been intimate during their time in the villa together.
Following this, Mercedes attempted to talk to Em, who asked for a moment alone.
“I don’t know what’s going on, you should at least tell me your emotions,” Mercedes said.
“You’re mad at me for telling the truth on a truth bike.”
Em later spoke with Sophie, sharing that she was hurt, and Mercedes called her “emotionally immature” because of her reaction to him sharing details about a private moment between them.
Fans on Reddit have had mixed responses to this.
“Okay, watching the episode currently, and it does seem like he [Mercedes] genuinely reflected and realized how his response was a bit fucked up (def credit Steph for being a true friend and telling him what he did wrong). Really hope he tries to empathize with her [Em] more before lashing out in future situations,” said one fan.
Another viewer was less forgiving: “Why are we acting like you are given truth serum for the truth bike? You make a CHOICE, to tell the truth or not. He’s reminding me of his first shows: Fuck Boy Island.“
Another wrote, “I saw some serious red flags in that bathroom moment. Aggressive, domineering. The way he refused to give Em space when she asked to it was red flag city. Mercedes has this gentle, lighthearted exterior, but the dude has a few demons in there.”
Mercedes’ reality TV past
If Mercedes looks familiar, you might recognise him from FBoy Island America, where he won… twice. Yes, the Texan model made waves in the show’s second season by stealing a connection from his own brother, Marquise, in a move described as both “shocking” and “shady” by TikToker Leah Sauer (@positivelyuncensored).
@positivelyuncensored I need someone to discuss this niche topic with 😠#loveisland #loveislandaustralia #loveislandusa #fboyisland #realitytv ♬ original sound – Positively Uncensored
Leah didn’t hold back, saying, “The only difference between Mercedes on FBoy Island seasons one and two and Love Island is he went and got himself some contacts.”
She also commented on his flip-flopping tendencies, pointing out his habit of tailoring his personality to suit different women. “Pick one!” she joked.
However, not everyone is convinced Mercedes is playing the same game. One Redditor speculated, “He’s acting like a completely different person on this show. It’s made me wonder how scripted FBoy Island was.”
Well, Mercedes has bagged his third win on a dating show, and he’s still single. Do with that what you will.
Stream Love Island Australia Mondays to Thursdays on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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