Winning Love Island is easy—keeping the sparks flying once you leave the villa is a whole other ballgame. It seemed like Sammy Root and Jess Harding’s future was looking bright after they won Love Island in 2023. Fans were won over by their chemistry, and they left the show ready to take on the world, hand in hand, despite a turbulent journey.
However, their romance ended suddenly a few months down the road. There were hints of discord on social media, but no one saw the breakup coming so quickly or with such a bang.
What Really Caused Their Breakup?
As with many Love Island couples, Sammy and Jess had a tough time adjusting to real life away from the cameras. Their relationship started to fall apart due to issues with communication and the demands of fame.
| Key Reasons for Breakup | Details |
|---|---|
| Different Personalities | Jess revealed they were simply too different. |
| Post-Villa Struggles | Adjusting to normal life proved overwhelming. |
| Multiple Breakups | They split and reconciled twice before calling it quits. |
| Miscommunication | Sammy found out about the breakup through the media. |
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In a subsequent Instagram post, Sammy expressed his disappointment:
I treated our relationship with the utmost respect and dedication. There are times when your best laid plans don’t pan out.
Did Their Relationship Fail Because of Their Fame?
The reality show winners’ transition into committed relationships isn’t a picnic. The demands of constantly projecting an ideal image can be exhausting, as all of a sudden, everyone is watching your every move and interaction.
Sammy acknowledged that she was having trouble adjusting to life after Love Island, saying:
“Revealing yourself is a big deal. A lot of stress is building up, and I felt like Jess was really feeling it.
In contrast, Jess told her followers in an Instagram Q&A:
“We’re just very different and behave differently, and that’s it.”
This succinct but revealing response suggested that their priorities and personalities clashed, making it hard for them to remain connected outside of the show.
An Initial Scandalous Romance?
They had a rocky relationship even while competing on Love Island.
There were early trust issues when Sammy dated a Casa Amor girl. After Love Island, their social media activity decreased, leading to breakup rumors. In September 2023, they went through two breakups, reconciled once, and then broke up for good.
They had officially ended their relationship by October 3, 2023.
What further heightened the shockingness of the situation? The media informed Sammy of the split.
He remembered:
“I woke up, saw it in the press, and thought, ‘Oh. Alright’.”
Their relationship had likely been deteriorating for some time if they hadn’t communicated directly with each other.
Embracing Her “Self-Love Era”: Jess’s Next Chapter
Even though Sammy appeared surprised by the breakup news, Jess was already living her best life on her own.
She was seen enjoying her newfound independence on vacation in Ibiza soon after they broke up.
She shared photos from her vacation and captioned one with the phrase “Self-love era 🧡”.
While in Ibiza, fans made assumptions about the identity of the man she was seen with.
No mention of Sammy was ever again on her social media accounts.
At the same time, Sammy expressed his disappointment in a lengthy and emotionally charged Instagram post:
“To see our breakup announced publicly before having a proper conversation was a shock.”
One of the main reasons their relationship ended was because of their extremely divergent views on moving on.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did Sammy and Jess break up?
They ended things due to personality differences, struggles with post-Love Island fame, and multiple prior breakups.
2. Did they split on bad terms?
Sammy was caught off guard by how it ended, while Jess was ready to move on.
3. Did they try to save their relationship?
Yes. They broke up twice before reconciling, but ultimately, it wasn’t meant to be.
4. Did Jess move on quickly?
Jess appeared carefree in Ibiza, sharing vacation snaps and erasing all signs of Sammy from her Instagram.
5. What’s next for them?
Both are focusing on their careers, brand deals, and personal growth.