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Originally appeared on E! Online
Zach Georgiou is pulling his fellow islanders for a chat.
One week after Love Island USA season winner Trinity Tatum—who came in first place with now-boyfriend Bryce Dettloff—defended her costar following ongoing criticism from fans, he expressed gratitude for the move.
"Shoutout to Bryce and a big shoutout to Trinity as well," Zach said in his July 21 Instagram video. "That post the other day was incredible to see she had my back like that—it just shows the bonds we've created in the villa have been so genuine."
Bryce's bestie in the villa—who earned fourth place with Kayda Bosse—admitted that returning from Fiji to see the online backlash was anything but paradise. But thankfully, fans have also continued to rally around him.
"It's been a bit tough," Zach said. "So, seeing all the love and support of you guys out there, all the lovely things you have to say, I'm honestly grateful as f--k because it means so, so much."
READ Love Island USA Winner Trinity Tatum Defends Zach Georgiou From Online Hate
Despite the hate, Zach—who faced criticism for mishandling his and Kayda's romance, including refusing to label their relationship—still described the experience as "the best summer" of his life.
"I can't tell you how amazing it was, all the people I met," he added. "Leaving with my amazing Kayda, I'm just so excited to see the world with her now, see where she lives, go to New Hampshire, meet her family properly. Bring her back to the U.K., meet my family, just start doing normal stuff."
"I'm literally so grateful and blessed to have met her," he said. "She's been my rock. She's been so supportive, amazing, just so incredibly strong. I'm just so grateful that I've met someone like her. I'm so happy and I miss her so much."
For Kayda's part, she proved that they're stronger than ever beyond the villa. As she commented under the video with a red heart emoji, "Best summer of my life cause i met you."
Like Kayda, Zach—the younger brother of season seven alum Charlie Georgiou—knows other islanders have his back. Case in point: Trinity urged fans to lead with kindness.
"Coming out the villa one I want to say I'm very blessed and appreciative of the love & support everyone has given me," she wrote on her Instagram Story on July 14. "With that being said I wanna say the hate & ignorant comments some of you guys are doing regarding zach is absolutely not okay and needs to stop."
"It's very disheartening and we are people just like everyone else," Trinity, 22, continued. "We genuinely have love for each other inside and out of the villa and he's one of the most amazing people I've met so please have some empathy."
As Zach and Kayda continue to explore their connection off of Love Island USA, keep reading for a closer look at where all the couples stand.
