Paige DeSorbo Finally Explains Why She Disappeared from ‘Love Island USA’ Mid-Challenge

The elements were working against her!

Paige DeSorbo might not have been a contestant on Love Island USA, but a lot of viewers were upset and confused when she vanished from the villa mid-challenge in last Friday’s episode without an explanation. Now, Paige is explaining her abrupt Love Island USA exit, saying she had a medical emergency and had to leave.

The reality star explained it all on her podcast, Giggly Squad, saying that she went straight to set after arriving in Fiji to film and wasn’t quite recovered from her travel. “It’s a long filming day, and we started pretty early,” the Summer House alum said. “And mind you, I had just landed—not even a full 24 hours that I am there. I’m not even acclimated.”

Paige, who was tasked with hosting an outdoor lumberjack challenge, tried to work through her discomfort. “I’m not gonna be a diva. Like, I’m doing a job,” she said. “I have a high pain tolerance, so if I’m uncomfortable, I’m really waiting for the last second to tell you, because I don’t want to be a problem. I don’t want to be bothersome.”

Eventually, however, the heat and sun exposure got to be too much. “It’s like an hour and a half into filming and I’m like, ‘You know what? Real quick, I’m feeling a little bit queasy. Let me take a moment to myself,” she said. “I throw up.” Though she returned to set, things went downhill from there.

Soon, Paige said, she started “swaying a little bit,” but still she tried to push through. “I’m not feeling totally normal, but again, I’m not stopping the show that has so graciously asked me to come on,” she said. “I literally sat down [and] passed out.” Hence why the Love Island USA narrator had to take over.

Somehow, despite Paige’s absence, the Islanders were able to continue with the challenge, which involved climbing a fake tree, chopping fake wood, stuffed beavers, and a make out closet. (I’ll let you fill in the blanks.)

Reality TV fans are no strangers to dramatic exits and confusing edits, but one moment on Love Island USA this season left viewers genuinely puzzled — the sudden mid-challenge disappearance of Paige DeSorbo.

Known for her quick wit and signature glam, Paige joined the villa as a surprise guest during a special crossover segment, bringing a new spark to the cast. But during one of the most anticipated challenges of the week — a steamy, competitive game designed to test chemistry and flirtation — Paige abruptly vanished from the scene. Cameras quickly cut away, and when the challenge resumed, she was nowhere to be seen. No explanation. No mention from the narrator. Nothing.

Naturally, fans took to social media with questions, theories, and memes. And now, after days of speculation, Paige is finally setting the record straight.

What Happened During the Challenge?

The incident occurred during the “Heart Rate Challenge,” where Islanders dress up and perform seductive dances to raise each other’s heart rates. Paige, who had been helping host the challenge and interacting playfully with contestants beforehand, was fully present during the build-up. But just as the action began, she seemed to vanish — not just from the physical space, but from the storyline altogether.

Reddit threads lit up with posts like:

“Wait… where did Paige go?”
“Did the producers forget to explain why she disappeared?”
“Is this another editing fail or something more serious?”

Speculation ranged from a medical emergency to an unexpected personal issue, with some even joking that Paige “escaped the villa before the cringe overtook her.”

Paige Breaks Her Silence

In a new episode of her podcast Giggly Squad, which she co-hosts with Summer House bestie Hannah Berner, Paige finally addressed the elephant in the room.

“Okay, so you guys have been flooding my DMs about this,” she began, laughing. “Yes, I did leave in the middle of the challenge. No, it wasn’t drama. It was… very on-brand for me, honestly.”

According to Paige, the real reason behind her sudden exit was a full-blown wardrobe malfunction — and not the fun, fix-it-in-five-minutes kind.

“I was wearing this super cute corset top — like really tight, really structured. And then right as the guys started dancing, I felt the entire back snap open,” she explained. “It was one of those moments where I was like, ‘Oh no. If I move, this thing is coming off.’”

Rather than risk a full-on fashion disaster on national television, Paige quickly signaled to a producer and exited quietly to avoid disrupting the scene or embarrassing herself.

“I made a fast exit like I was in a Mission Impossible movie,” she joked. “I literally dove behind the daybeds.”

Why Wasn’t It Shown or Addressed?

Fans also questioned why the show never mentioned her disappearance in the final edit. Paige offered insight into the production process:

“I think the editors didn’t want to break the vibe of the challenge by cutting to me freaking out about my top. Like, it wasn’t that deep. Just one of those reality TV moments that doesn’t make the cut.”

Still, she admitted she was surprised by how many fans noticed — and how quickly theories began spreading online.

“You guys are detectives. I disappear for five seconds and suddenly I’ve been abducted,” she laughed.

Fans React to the Truth

Once Paige clarified what really happened, fans quickly responded with relief and amusement.

On Twitter, posts like “Of course it was a fashion emergency — she’s Paige DeSorbo!” and “Only Paige could have a glam exit from a reality show challenge” started trending under Love Island USA-related hashtags.

Even fellow Islanders chimed in. One cast member reposted the clip of Paige’s podcast explanation, adding, “She really said ‘not today, heart rate challenge!’”

Paige’s Future with the Franchise?

While her guest appearance was brief, Paige’s involvement in Love Island USA opened up fresh conversations about crossover personalities from other Bravo and reality TV properties. Many fans are now calling for her to take on a bigger role — possibly as a guest host or full-time narrator in future seasons.

“I would 1000% watch a version of Love Island narrated by Paige DeSorbo,” one fan posted on Instagram. “Give her the mic, give her the villa.”

As for Paige herself? She’s open to returning, but only under certain conditions.

“I need air conditioning, a glam squad, and no corsets,” she teased on her podcast. “But yeah — I love the show, I love the chaos. So never say never.”

The Bottom Line

In true Paige DeSorbo fashion, her mid-challenge exit wasn’t a scandal — it was a wardrobe malfunction turned into a hilarious anecdote. And once again, she proved why fans adore her: she’s stylish, self-aware, and never takes herself too seriously.

So next time someone disappears from a reality show without explanation? Maybe don’t assume drama — sometimes, it’s just a busted zipper.