“Love Island USA” Reunion: Melanie Moreno Reacts to Her Past Photos as a Curve Model Going Viral

Julia MooreTue, September 1, 2026 at 1:44 AM UTC

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Melanie Moreno attends the ‘Love Island USA’ season 8 reunionCredit: Christine Bartolucci/Peacock -

Love Island USA season 8 star Melanie Moreno was asked about the photos that resurfaced of her as a curve model during the reunion

“I thought I was the s--- when I was thicker,” she said when asked by co-host Ariana Madix

The Love Island USA season 8 reunion is now streaming on Peacock

Love Island USA star Melanie Moreno has addressed newfound attention on her modeling past.

During the Love Island USA season 8 reunion that aired on Peacock on Monday, Aug. 31, co-host Ariana Madix asked Moreno, 24, “What was it like seeing that all of these gorgeous pictures of you as a curve model had come to light?”

“I love it,” Moreno said.

Madix told Moreno that the photos, which went viral during her time in the villa, were “giving sexy,” and Moreno then elaborated more on how she felt to see the photos resurface online.

“There was a comment saying that maybe I was insecure because I was bigger. First of all, I thought I was the s--- when I was thicker,” Moreno said. “So please, let’s get that right now, because that’s why I was a model. Like, please.”

Prior to the reunion, Moreno had not commented on the photos that went viral of her on the runway at a Pretty Little Thing swim week show in 2022.

Melanie Moreno on the catwalk for the PRETTYLITTLETHING Miami Swim Week 2022 Runway ShowCredit: Larry Marano/Shutterstock for PrettyLittleThing Miami Swim Week

Her sister Steph had weighed in, though. “Mel’s sister here. Melanie has always had very high self-esteem, even when she was plus-size,” her sister wrote in a comment on a fan’s post about the resurfaced images, according to another fan page.

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Other than briefly addressing her modeling past, Moreno’s focus during the season 8 reunion was largely on where her relationship stands with Sincere Rhea. She was coupled up with him from day 1 in the Fija villa, but their journey was bumpy as he explored numerous connections with other islanders.

She said she is “building” back her trust in him when asked by co-host Andy Cohen, but remained cagey on the details of their relationship overall.

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Melanie Moreno and Sincere Nicholas Rhea attend the ‘Love Island USA’ season 8 reunionCredit: Christine Bartolucci/Peacock

“We are not boyfriend and girlfriend,” she confirmed. “We are kinda just seeing what happens in the outside world.”

Rhea, for his part, said they’re on the “same page” about where they stand — and that he wanted to “apologize to everyone” he’d hurt during his time in the villa.

The Love Island USA season 8 reunion is now streaming on Peacock.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”