Love Island Games alum Johnny Middlebrooks recognizes that his approach in season 2 sparked mixed reactions among viewers, but he remains committed to his tactics — including that infamous recoupling twist with Andreina Santos.
Us Weekly spoke with Johnny on Wednesday, October 8, right after his elimination. He elaborated on why he believes he set a new standard for the gameplay in Love Island Games, his current status with Andreina post-Instagram revelation, and other insights.
Did your gameplay this season differ from your previous appearance on the show?
Sure, my strategy this time was clear. My initial season of Games was quite divisive. Many people criticized my choices, labeling them as questionable. However, I genuinely believe that I established a strategy on how to play the games: I was aiming to partner with the best contestant right from the start.
But did you think viewers received it differently?
Many perceived it as, “Johnny is just juggling all the girls.” However, my goal was simply to find the best partner. If I believed the girl I was with wouldn’t make it to the finale, I would seek out another that I felt was better suited for success.
Interestingly, I ended up in two or three different partnerships, and I made it to the finale because I chose the right partners. If I hadn’t, I might have gone home.
As for Season 2?
It was a similar approach; I aimed to find the right partner and fortunately, I connected romantically with Andreina. I was aware of her struggle in the first duel, but I wasn’t going to cast her aside. Instead, I wanted to uplift her and build her confidence since I found her attractive. We had even met before the show.
What’s the backstory there?
Nothing overly dramatic — we met a few times and shared a kiss. We intentionally kept things light because I knew I was going on Games. She was aware of my plans, but I had no idea she would join.
She expressed her reluctance to start something right before I left for filming. I was cool with that, anticipating perhaps reconnecting later.
Then you saw her in season 2?
When I spotted her on the show, I seized the moment to explore our connection. However, I found it challenging to overlook her competitiveness, knowing that in the end, we would face intense challenges. Even if you manage to glide through the season, you still need to showcase your strength at the finale.
Yet you had doubts about advancing with Andreina?
My plan with her was to see if we could genuinely bond, but after investing ten days where I felt zero connection, I changed my approach. I knew that if I got another chance to recouple, I had to take it. The nature of Games made those decisions crucial.
Are there regrets about switching couples?
I was fully aware of the consequences of my choice and how it would impact both of us. I hated putting Andreina in that position. Still, there’s little time to waste in a game like this, especially since recouplings were nearing an end.
People suggested I should have waited since she was relatively safe. However, we were nearing the finale, and I was aware of the risks — choosing to remain with her could have resulted in my elimination if I didn’t trust my instincts.
At that moment, was it all about the competition rather than the romance?
Andreina and I weren’t exactly a strong partnership when it came to challenges. I correctly aligned with Gabby [Allen], which benefited my game. The audience, however, didn’t respond positively to my methods, which hindered my path in the voting. My decisions strategically made sense, but the audience perception did not align.
And what about your connection with Andreina?
This time, I aimed for a more steady approach, not trying to diversify my couples. I was aware that Andreina struggled with challenges, but since we lacked that initial spark, I made the tough call to choose a mystery box when the opportunity arose. The conversations felt quite draining, which I recognized was somewhat harsh to say. In those ten days, I felt we hadn’t progressed as I thought we should have.
Did she comprehend your viewpoint?
I believe she understood. Although she mentioned feeling blindsided, I found it surprising. If the situation were reversed, I would not be shocked if a girl had feedback about lack of communication. That’s a reasonable indicator she might look to someone else.
This game requires both strategy and emotional connection.
Andreina lacked competitiveness, which was especially vital in the context of Love Island Games. She indicated she wasn’t focused on competing, leaving everything to me. The blame I faced seemed misaligned when she openly expressed lack of interest in the games. I felt justified switching to a partner who would prioritize our competitive success.
I feel regret for how my choices affected her feelings, but the nature of the game is intended to create tension and conflict. Unfortunately, some participants exploited those opportunities, which ultimately backfired.
Could you have won without the audience vote impacting you?
Within the villa, many recognized my choices. A crucial part of my experience hinged on the audience’s response. I reached a stage awaiting America’s decision for the finale. Their opinion significantly shaped the outcome of my game, and many weren’t privy to everything that transpired daily.
Given the chance to present my perspective, I believe the outcome would differ. However, that opportunity didn’t materialize, leaving me with no chance to showcase my full potential.
What do you think about Sydney’s comments regarding future seasons?
I don’t rule out participation in any future editions of Love Island or related shows. I’ve appeared on six reality programs already, which is amusing considering this is Sydney’s third go at Love Island. My experience and reputation lead to diverse perceptions about me during these adventures.
I’d gladly rejoin any installment of this franchise. Bills need to be paid and I have a child to support, and participating guarantees compensation regardless of victory. If there are a hundred more seasons, sign me up!
Where do you and Andreina stand currently?
I anticipated seeing her again shortly after the show, regardless of my decision. I sensed she was playing into the drama but wasn’t genuinely upset. I knew that when we reunited, things would be fine.
How was your initial meetup after leaving the villa?
We reconnected with the cast at a hotel in Fiji, and everything flowed smoothly between us. We spent substantial time together as soon as we exited the villa.
I won’t go into too many details, but I posted a video of her from my hotel room that stirred some reactions. My intention was to demonstrate that despite her claims of harboring ill feelings, she actually forgave me quite quickly.
So things are in a good place now?
Despite what was said publicly, she texted me recently asking how I’ve been. We seem to be on good terms now. The connection merely lacked the necessary depth for me to override the competitiveness aspect considering our participation in challenges. There were various factors I didn’t fully highlight about how the audience’s reaction impacted my choices.
I could have anticipated the pushback since I’ve observed America’s sentiments towards my gameplay. The audience response became my Achilles heel this season.
