Love Island Winner Samie Elishi Hints at New York Move After Split
Samie Elishi, the 26-year-old winner of Love Island: All Stars, has dropped a significant hint about a potential major life change just days after her split from boyfriend Ciaran Davies. Despite securing victory on the reality show and the coveted £50,000 prize fund, the couple's relationship quickly fizzled out in the real world, failing to last even a month outside the South African villa.
Social Media Clues and a Telling Sweatshirt
Samie has now traveled to New York City, where she was photographed partying with fellow Love Island star Olivia Attwood, 34, who is also newly single. Taking to her Instagram stories, Samie shared a black-and-white picture of herself captioned: 'I might move to NY.' While she has yet to publicly address the breakup with Ciaran, she posted a revealing image of a sweatshirt emblazoned with the quote 'enforce male curfews' hours before the split was officially announced.
Sources Reveal Details of the Breakup
A source close to the couple told The Sun: 'Samie and Ciaran have decided that, for now at least, they're better off staying friends rather than pursuing things romantically. They made that decision in the week. Neither of them have a bad word to say about each other. Maybe they'll end up staying good mates and you never know what could happen down the line.' Another insider explained that their relationship dynamic deteriorated after leaving the villa, noting they never made things official and struggled to spend time together, with things simply fizzling out due to a lack of common interests in the real world.
Denying Bullying Allegations from Co-Star
Samie's potential move to the United States comes amid controversy surrounding claims from fellow Love Islander Lucinda Stafford, 26, who alleged she felt 'bullied' by Samie and other girls in the villa, leading to her isolation. Hitting back at these accusations, Samie told the Daily Mail: 'Some of the stuff that is being said is so bizarre, like the bully accusations, they are not true. Every Love Islander that has gone on a podcast since the show has said categorically no one got bullied and obviously the show wouldn't go on if there was.'
Speaking at a Carmex event in London, Samie revealed she remains in contact with all her Love Island co-stars except Lucinda, with the pair having unfollowed each other on social media. She added: 'I'm a firm believer that everyone is entitled to their own opinions... At the end of the day, my morals are so strong and I know the truth. I know my truth and the people that I'm close to, their truth, and that's all that matters.'
Tensions in the Villa and Post-Show Relief
The fallout between Samie and Lucinda began when Lucinda, appearing on Love Island for the fourth time, chose Ciaran to couple up with after entering as a bombshell. Tensions escalated during a game of Snog, Marry, Pie, where Lucinda pied Samie with 'full force,' which Samie described as feeling like a slap in the face. Reflecting on her time in the villa, Samie admitted she was ready to leave with Ciaran, as the environment had become more intense than enjoyable, saying: 'It was getting really intense and just not a very nice environment towards the end. As soon as we left, it was just like we could breathe again.'
As Samie contemplates a new chapter in New York, her post-Love Island journey continues to captivate fans, blending personal upheaval with public disputes and the ongoing scrutiny of reality TV fame.
