Exclusive: Mick reveals he planned to steal the $20k and why he changed his mind: 'He probably needs the money more than me'
EXCLUSIVE: Jaws dropped as Love Island Australia star Dylan left his partner Kodi's side to steal $20,000 prize money but it turns out he wasn't the only one thinking about it.
Speaking to 9Entertainment, eliminated Islander Mick Maio revealed he planned to take the money but changed his mind at the last minute.
"Me and [hisLove Island partner] Emma almost had a bit of an agreement we made earlier that day that I was going to get up there and we'd split the cash," the 27-year-old explained.
Mick had his eyes on the prize. Nine
As host Sophie Monk made the $20,000 offer to the Islanders Mick felt Emma "squeezing [his] hand really tight" but Dylan beat him to the mark.
The Love Island Australia Grand Finale will air Monday, December 15 at 8:30pm on 9Go! and 9Now.
"I knew it was between me and Dylan doing it. I was building suspense, but that guy [Dylan] has got no sense of occasion so I think up he stood up a bit early," Mick said.
"I don't think anyone expected him to stand up that quickly."
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Dylan wasted no time snapping up the $20k prize which reduced the winners' prize from $50k to $30k. Nine
At first, Mick was "disappointed" he didn't get to take the $20,000 and finish his time in the Villa with one final pot stir but he's glad things panned out the way they did.
"I think I left gracefully and I'm happy for Dylan. He probably needed the money more than I did," Mick laughed.
Are Mick and Emma still together?
No, Mick and Emma aren't together anymore.
Mick left the Villa hand-in-hand with Emma, a Bombshell who he partnered up with late in the game.
They spent the night together after being eliminated but Mick said they haven't spoken too much since.
Mick and Emma paired up late in the game but left hand-in-hand. Nine
"I reached out after the show briefly, but we kind of went our separate ways from there. I'm in Melbourne and she's in the Gold Coast," he said.
Even though things didn't work out between them Mick had nothing but good things to say of Emma.
"Out of all the girls I met in the Villa she was the one that really stood out for me. We had a genuine thing.
"I was able to open up more with and be vulnerable with her in comparison to the other girls."
The Love Island Australia Grand Finale will air Monday, December 15 at 8:30pm on 9Go! and 9Now.
Want more Love Island? Check out these exclusives below:
New episodes of Love Island Australia 2025 drop Monday to Thursdays only on 9Now.
Stream brand new episodes of Love Island Australia Season 7 for free on 9Now.
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