Love Island's Beatriz Hatz Reacts to Speculation About Her Sexuality

Love Island's Beatriz Hatz Reacts to Speculation About Her Sexuality

Beatriz Hatz isn't running away from the rumors.

Following her season eight elimination from Love Island USA, the Paralympic athlete addressed speculation about her sexuality that circulated online while she was in the Villa.

"Bro, these bitches swear that you're gay," Beatriz's friend Jaleen told her on FaceTime in behind-the-scenes footage featured on the June 13 episode of Love Island USA: Aftersun. "It's a big thing on the internet."

A shocked Beatriz—who competed in both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics—clapped back at the rumors, explaining to her pal, "Athletes are always put in that box. Like, 'If you're a female athlete, you're probably gay.'"

Looking at the camera, the bronze medalist's friend came to her defense, saying that viewers are giving Beatriz a "label she does not identify with."

And Beatriz cleared the air, emphasizing, "I'm just a tomboy. Let me live my life. I love d--k, please!"

The 25-year-old was dumped from the island on the June 12 episode on Day 10 of the competition.

Shortly after entering the Villa, Beatriz was coupled up with contestant Sean Reifel, before she soon formed a connection with bombshell Gabriel Vasconcelos on the June 7 episode. But after a surprise recoupling, viewers voted for Gabriel to be coupled with newcomer Jennifer "Jen" Terry, while fellow bombshell Sol Dean was paired with Sincere Rhea. Beatriz, along with Corbin Mimis and Melanie Moreno, were left vulnerable.

After host Ariana Madix gave Corbin the decision to choose between the two women, he picked Melanie. This ultimately left Beatriz single and dumped from the island.

Still, Beatriz looks back at her brief romance with Gabriel fondly.

While reflecting on her "deep connection" with the Brazilian model after her elimination, Beatriz praised Gabriel as "genuine," "down to earth" and "kind."

Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty Images

And while her time on the show was short-lived, Beatriz still made her mark. After all, the track and field athlete is the first person with a disability to appear on Love Island USA.

After her friend pointed out the positive response Beatriz—who was born without a fibula on her right leg—received on social media, Beatriz said, "I love that I came across so powerful."

As for what she'd tell her teenage self?

"Your leg might seem like a big deal to you now, but it's not. And once you fully accept that and accept yourself, your life becomes so much easier," she explained. "Be open and willing to accept love, accept the hate."

Although Beatriz noted her disability has made her "very tough," she felt that she was able to "turn that all off" with Gabriel and be "feminine" and "soft."

"Falling for somebody is scary, but that's the risk you gotta be willing to take," she said. "And Gabriel made that risk worth taking."

Read on to learn more about the cast of Love Island season eight.

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