Bryce Dettloff and Trinity Tatum may have walked away as the winners of “Love Island USA” season 8, but longtime fans quickly noticed one major change during the finale.
The ‘Love Island USA’ $100,000 Prize Came With a New Rule
After six weeks of romance, recouplings, bombshells and plenty of villa drama, Bryce and Trinity were crowned the winners during the July 12 finale on Peacock.
As America’s favorite couple, the pair took home the show’s $100,000 grand prize. Unlike previous seasons, however, they weren’t forced to make one final relationship-defining decision.
For years, the winning couple faced one last test after being crowned champions. Host Ariana Madix would hand each Islander an envelope. One contained the full $100,000 prize, while the other was empty. The person who received the money then decided whether to keep it all or split it with their partner.
Although every winning couple across the “Love Island” franchises has ultimately chosen to split the money, the moment remained one of the show’s signature finale traditions.
This year, producers scrapped that twist entirely.
Instead, Bryce and Trinity automatically shared the grand prize, with each winner taking home half of the $100,000.
Previous Winners Have Opened Up About the Prize Money
Trinity and Bryce have been crowned the winners of ‘Love Island USA’ Season 8. pic.twitter.com/kZpUH2mEvt
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 13, 2026
While the prize sounds straightforward, previous winners have pointed out that the money is considered taxable income.
Season 5 winner Marco Donatelli previously told the Cincinnati Enquirer that taxes were one reason he had considered a different approach before ultimately splitting the money with his now-fiancée, Hannah Wright.
“I wanted to take all 100 and double it, then give her 100. I knew there would be a tax on it,” Donatelli claimed. “I said it about 10 times, and they cut it out every single time. But no, I had to split it, but I really did want to take 100 and double it and then give her 100. So, we’re going to rock with just splitting the 50. We’ll double it from here.”
Season 6 winners Kordell Beckham and Serena Page also revealed they planned to be responsible with their winnings after taking home the prize.
“I’m saving it up and just going to navigate life normally,” Beckham told USA Insider in 2024. “I’m saving, but I’m also investing into my career, you know, business opportunities to grow more and get, you know, tenfold for the modeling, endorsement sponsors, whatever happens, you know, those opportunities I’ll take them in.”
Page shared a similar outlook during an interview with Collider.
“I was living without it, so I’ll just pretend it’s not there and put it in my savings,” she said.
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