Zay and Lucinda from Love Island Games in the prize money plans, and the Backlash title

Love Island games‘ Isaiah “Zay” Campbell and Lucinda Strafford They tell us all about their prize money plans, online backlash, and more after winning Season 2.

Us Weekly I caught up with Zay and Lucinda after the duo’s surprise win. The underdogs-turned-heroes teased their future as a couple — including what they would use Their profits amounted to $250,000 For and more.

How does it feel to win? Have you sunk yet?

Z: I’ll always be a humble king, so I don’t really think it’ll ever affect me, to be honest. Not until the wire is officially up. It’s amazing, but crazy. It’s actually crazy because the total amount of people that were there and it’s crazy that it’s the two people that won.

The Love Island Games appear to be an opportunity to do things differently compared to the initial seasons. How did each of you deal with this spinoff? What were you hoping to get out of it?

Lucinda: I wasn’t Actually I think about it I would have won absolutely. Full stop, I thought I would be there for a few days or maybe a week. I was saying that even if I made it to day 5, I would be very happy. It just kept going on and on. Honestly, I didn’t have any strategies while I was there. I went with the flow.

Z: For me too, I didn’t come there with any particular strategy. I felt like it would be more like Love Island. But obviously I’d never dealt with games before, so I didn’t really think the whole alliance thing – or really having to choose a side – was a big deal. But obviously that’s what got us the win.

With Love Island Games, it’s about balancing love and competition. Did it feel that way to you?

Lucinda: I’m not going to lie to you, I didn’t really enjoy the gaming aspect, just because I’m not really competitive. It’s not something I would normally do. But I’m glad we did well on these matters. As the show went on, I was putting my best effort into the games and you could see that too. But I was definitely there for the love.

Zay: It was 50/50 for me honestly, because you never want to expect anything or go into it with your hopes up. It was very 50/50 for me with the whole love (side) and then, obviously, matches.

Do you think Love Island Games work more in your favor in terms of finding romance because there’s not as much pressure?

Lucinda: I would say that made it more difficult. A lot of people will then look at people in a way, like: “Are you good at gaming? Are you good at competition?” It was rather than just a purely romantic connection. In that aspect, it made it more difficult for me and for others.

Z: I think that made it more difficult, but it honestly allows you to see (a) different side of people. It’s also really useful in that sense as well.

Was there a point in the Love Island Games where you started to realize you could win?

Lucinda: My defining moment was when Johnny (Middlebrooks) and Gabe (Allen) He owns Dumped. Literally, it wasn’t until the end. I thought to myself, “Okay, we can actually win this.” But when I learned that we had reached the quarter-finals, I felt completely calm. I was obviously nervous, because it’s scary to get into a huge duel. But I felt like everything was going to be okay and that we were going to win in a really weird way. I felt relieved.

Z: I also thought we would win early – maybe when we were told we were part of the quarter-finals. But you really never know what will happen that day.

Did the fan vote help ease your nerves?

Lucinda: When America’s Vote saved me, I was in a friendship with Tyreek (Hyde). This feeling is the most beautiful feeling ever because you obviously don’t know what’s going on outside. You don’t know anything. It’s a relief when you say, “Okay, I can breathe now.” So that was really nice.

Is it better to win with a partner?

Zay: I think it makes things more fun not only because you feel like you have to split the money or do these things, but it definitely comes from your heart and makes things smoother and calmer. It has helped improve teamwork as well. So I think that’s what ultimately led to us winning – and maybe also being a little bit of an underdog. So I don’t really think anyone really expected us to win.

Did you always plan to split the money?

G: In my opinion, you can always make that money somewhere else. To be honest, I think it’s just about survival and keeping your ego down, especially when it comes to gaming. Because it is an aspect where you need both ends. So you definitely can’t win with one person without the other.

Lucinda: I’m the same way. When you do this huge duel, it’s not one person doing it. Even if I was in a friendship or with someone random, I think I would still split them 100 percent. Just because I obviously wouldn’t have been able to Win without them.

Do you have plans for your share of the money?

Zay: Honestly, I don’t have much of a plan for it. But obviously I want to take my parents on a short trip and spoil my family a little. And also invest some of it. Just knowing that you have this is just a great feeling of not having to worry about too much in the moment until branding, communication and other things start hitting you obviously. It gives you a little bit of relief until you have to go, go, go.

Lucinda: I just bought a house, and this is really helping me, because I put everything into this house. Maybe I’ll put it towards my house. I also really want to ruin my family too.

Since you left the villa, have you checked the feedback online?

Zee: Was she checking her phone? Maybe 24/7. Honestly, I used my phone a lot at first, but I usually kind of stayed offline. I’ve tried to get away from fate scrolling and look at things whole. But I’ve been looking into things and certainly I’m happy that America loves us and loves me. It’s definitely good to get out of that scenario because I wasn’t really expecting it. It was definitely a lot to deal with.

Was there anything that surprised you when you saw what viewers thought?

Z: Honestly, there’s a lot of hate for Lucinda. It’s probably a bit of an exaggeration to be honest. In my opinion, I definitely don’t think it’s worth it. But obviously the Internet is going to be the Internet, and that’s the way it goes. So I think she’s handling it very well.

Lucinda: I think it’s getting better. Ultimately, it is a TV show. It’s not real. This is the case That’s all I have to say to that.

Do you think there is anything that people misunderstand?

Lucinda: That’s 2% of 100% of our experience. There (were) things (were) shown in the relationships that appeared there that were not actually what they were in real life.

How do you navigate negativity?

Zay: They can talk about it if they want. I told her, honestly, it will help you get access and content. Honestly, try to think of it as a blessing in disguise.

What are your plans as a couple after this?

G: Apparently the Love Island games are half the length of the regular Love Island and we met halfway. Obviously I love her. I enjoy spending time with her and I think it would be difficult for us to be long distance. But it’s just one trip away.

Have you started making plans?

Lucinda: I want to go back for Halloween. I think I need to go home for at least a week. Just to see my home and see my family. I will definitely come to Florida. I’m obsessed with traveling anyway, so I don’t stay home for very long. It actually works very well at this because I’m always away. Sometimes I go away for months.

It seems like the perfect opportunity and excuse to travel more.

Lucinda: I think so too. I love Florida too. Actually, I’ve never been to Fort Lauderdale, but I love Miami. So that would be really nice.

Love Island games It is currently streaming on Peacock.