7 Things We Love About Austen From ‘Love Island’

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Love Island has provided us with a bunch of red flags disguised, but it looks like Austen Bugeja is the only exception. 

The reality TV dating show has been through some crazy dramas lately, including Ex-Week, the return of Titch, and Tak’s unjust elimination, so to take a break away from the negative vibes, we decided to study one of Love Island’s most fave contestants, Austen. 

Austen is a self-described Western Sydney footballer who is currently in kahoots with sicilian Islander, Claudia. 

The IT couple, or shall we say Clausten, have been making waves all over the internet. Some fans have already made fan edits of the pair, and TBH I would too if I had the talent. 

@pushinperez first ae edit! #australia #loveisland #loveislandau #clausten #loveisland2022 #sunandmoon #blackcat #goldenretriever #fyp #ae #aftereffects #velocity ♬ original sound – lily &lt3 – go follow new acc!

So to add to the positivity and to spread some love, here are seven things that Austen did on Love Island that made us fall in love with him: 



His introduction 

Ever since his introduction, we’ve been captivated by Austen. We love that he doesn’t mention he’s a fuckboy or talks about how many girls he pulls. Instead, he talks about how he’s a “sucker for romance” and that he “loves to listen.” He even called out people for not crying during The Notebook. 

Most of the time, boys are bullshitting during their little introductions just to hype themselves up, but something felt genuine about Austen’s little bit. 

How he broke things off with Layla 

To give you a quick TL;DR, when Austen first made it to the villa, he chose to pair with Layla, but things were short-lived between the pair after Austen kissed Claudia during a fact or fiction challenge. Both Austen and Claudia said they felt like sparks were flying. 

Austen got really candid with Layla about his emotions, and it really shows that he is one of the only men on Love Island to be real about how he feels. 

It was nice to see him be completely honest with Layla about how he feels about Claudia instead of stringing her along. We also appreciate him reassuring Layla that it was nothing to do with her personally. “The chats were good, everything was, but everything sexually there…was nothing,” Austen told her. 

We appreciate the clear communication and the honesty! 

His loyalty to Claudia

Right after Austen and Claudia coupled up, Austen was taken away for a one-on-one date with the incoming bomb, Maddy. 

Throughout the date, Austen talked about his connection with Claudia. “I’m currently coupled with Claudia, and Claudia is my type to a T,” Austen said on the bombshell date with Maddy. “I am definitely infatuated with Claudia.” 

After his date, he even reassured Claudia that nothing happened between them and it was super sweet to see him be honest with her. 

Claudia and Austen’s first kiss

Although Austen and Claudia already shared a couple of snogs, Austen wanted to make their first proper kiss as a couple special. 

So with the help of Callum and Mitch, he made a surprise picnic date by the pool in the Villa, and it was so CUTE! 

7 Things We Love About Austen From Love Island

It was really nice of him to put in the effort for Claudia, especially after she was spooked by the bombshell date. 

Also can we appreciate this adorable video of the two? 

@claustennclausten ???? #fyp #claudiabonifazio #austenbugeja #clausten #loveislandau #loveisland♬ original sound – claudia + austen

Austen’s loyalty to Claudia, again…

During the heart rate challenge, Austen’s face towards Claudia’s little naughty nurse moment was frkn comical! 

7 Things We Love About Austen From Love Island

 

It was then revealed that Claudia was the one to raise his heart rate the highest, so that’s definitely proof that he’s only got eyes for her. 

 Post Ex-Week Austen 

Ex-Week was a really weird time for Love Island. Not going to lie, Austen’s actions during the explosive week were kinda a turn off, as he defended Callum’s shitty actions towards Claudia by saying “he meant well.” 

To give you a bit of context, Claudia and Austen were the first couple to be rocked by ex-week after Claudia’s ex of one year, Jason, joined the contestants in the villa. Jason’s arrival prompted an investigation from Callum and the whole thing blew up into a massive villa scrap.

 

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A post shared by Love Island Australia (@loveislandau)

After things were cleared up, and the fights had ended, Jason suddenly left the villa after he realised that Claudia has completely moved onto Austen. 

When he finally left, Austen comforted Claudia, telling her, “I genuinely care so much about you. When I wake up, you’re the person I want to see your face in the morning. I like to see you when I go to sleep.” 

It was just a really sweet moment after they were completely tested by Ex-Week and I think Austen genuinely saw the good in Callum’s actions. 

Austen’s emotional intelligence 

Time after time, Austen has proven to be one of the most emotionally intelligent boys in the villa. 

One of his key emotionally intelligent moments was his chat with Al after Al was put in the doghouse for making a joke about dating another bombshell infront of his partner Jess.

Al was talking about how he “didn’t understand” why Jess was upset over a joke, and Austen attempted to help broaden Al’s perspective. 

“I’m not saying I’m a woman connoisseur,” Austen said. “Once you open up, it makes you both vulnerable, and shit like that will sting a little. I think you genuinely need to think about it now. The banter that you have.” 

Watch the full convo below: 

@niseestiktok ? when #AustenBugeja gives advice to the other islanders, so like #AlPerkins at the moment with his situation with #JessicaLosurdo #LoveIslandAU #RealityTV #fyp #foryou #foryoupage❤️❤️ ♬ original sound – Nisee????

Another epic emotional intelligence moment is when he attempted to help Al (again) and Jess resolve their rough patch without picking sides. In the beach hut, Austen even said that he understands why Jess is upset and that he understands why Al acts the way he does in a relationship. 

Austen was firm with what Al needed to do, telling him that he needed to “step things up.” 

“You need to take into consideration that her emotions are just as valid as yours,” Austen said. 

Al and Jess then had a facilitated conversation, which was led by Austen and Claudia, and it was really interesting to see how he got them both to talk and resolve. 

Also, he did all that as soon as he got out of the shower, so the therapy sesh was done while he was just in a towel. 

7 Things We Love About Austen From Love Island

Although the season isn’t over, I would definitely crown Austen as the IT boy of this season.

Claudia and Austen suit each other so well, and they’re a breath of fresh air in comparison to the other drama-fuelled couples in the villa.

If merchandise ever drops for this couple, I will be buying. #Claustenstan #Clausten4lyf


Love Island streams on 9Now and 9Go!, Monday to Thursday at 6pm.