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 [his Love 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 Maio Love IslandMick 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.

“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.”
Love Island Australia 2025 Episode 28Dylan 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.
Love Island Australia 2025 Mick and Emma still together? 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.”