The villa lights eventually dim. The cameras stop rolling. For the winners of the very first season of Love Island USA, the transition from a Fijian paradise to the grueling reality of everyday life was anything but a vacation. Fans have been asking are Zac and Elizabeth from Love Island still together for years now, mostly because their chemistry seemed so authentic, so effortless, and so remarkably drama-free compared to the chaos of subsequent seasons.
They were the "it" couple. Zac Mirabelli, the grocery store clerk with the boy-next-door charm, and Elizabeth Weber, the advertising executive who seemed to ground him. They didn't just win the $100,000; they won the hearts of a skeptical American audience.
But distance is a brutal reality.
The Short Answer to the Big Question
No. They aren't together.
It’s been a long time since they called it quits. In fact, their breakup happened way back in December 2019, just a few months after the finale aired. While many fans hoped for a long-term romance, the couple eventually realized that maintaining a relationship across state lines—Elizabeth being based in New York and Zac in Chicago—was a massive hurdle they couldn't quite clear.
They announced it on Instagram. It was polite. It was respectful. It lacked the explosive toxicity we often see in reality TV breakups. They basically just said that things were better as a friendship. Honestly, it’s a story we’ve heard a thousand times in the world of dating shows, but with Zac and Elizabeth, it felt a bit more disappointing because they were the "blueprint" for the US franchise.
Why the Love Island USA Season 1 Winners Drifted Apart
Life after the villa is weird. You go from 24/7 proximity in a curated environment to suddenly trying to coordinate FaceTime calls between busy work schedules and brand deals.
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Zac and Elizabeth didn't have the luxury of living in the same city. While some couples from the UK version of the show often move into "Love Island hubs" like Manchester or London, the geographical spread in the US is massive. Zac was focused on his burgeoning career and Elizabeth was navigating her own path. The pressure of being the "perfect couple" for the fans likely didn't help.
Think about it. Every time you post a photo alone, the comments flood with "Where's Zac?" or "Are you guys okay?" That kind of scrutiny can erode even the most solid foundation.
The Aftermath of the Breakup
Since the split, both have moved on in very different directions. Elizabeth has stayed somewhat in the public eye, particularly through her podcasting and social media presence. She co-hosts After the Island, where she breaks down the antics of new contestants. It’s a smart move—using her experience as a winner to provide commentary on the very machine that made her famous.
She often speaks about the mental health toll of reality TV. It's not all sun-drenched dates. She’s been open about the anxiety that comes with sudden fame and the "comedown" after the show ends.
Zac, on the other hand, has kept a slightly lower profile compared to some of the more "clout-hungry" islanders. He’s done the modeling thing and the influencer thing, but he seems more focused on his personal growth and life outside the constant glare of the paparazzi. He’s active on Instagram, but he isn’t necessarily chasing every reality TV opportunity that comes his way.
What Most People Get Wrong About Reality TV Romance
We want to believe the "soulmate" narrative. We really do. When we ask are Zac and Elizabeth from Love Island still together, we’re usually looking for proof that the show actually works. But the statistics are grim across almost every dating franchise.
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The environment of Love Island is designed to accelerate feelings. It’s a pressure cooker. When you remove the distractions of phones, family, and work, of course you’re going to bond deeply with the person sitting across from you. But that bond is often situational.
- Situational Intensity: In the villa, your only "job" is to date. In the real world, your job is... well, your job.
- The "Winner's Curse": There is an added layer of pressure when you win the money. You feel an obligation to the audience to make it work.
- Age Matters: Zac and Elizabeth were quite young when they filmed. People change. Their goals in their early 20s rarely align perfectly five years down the road.
The Evolution of Love Island USA Couples
Since Season 1, the track record for Love Island USA has been a bit of a rollercoaster. We’ve seen couples like Justine and Caleb (Season 2) go through incredibly public and messy breakups. We’ve seen others, like Kyra and Will, have "on-again, off-again" sagas that keep fans guessing for months.
Interestingly, it’s often the couples who don't win who seem to have more longevity. Perhaps it’s because the spotlight isn’t quite as bright on them, allowing them to figure things out without the weight of the crown.
Elizabeth once mentioned in an interview that the transition back to "normalcy" was the hardest part. Imagine going from being a regular person to having hundreds of thousands of followers overnight. It’s jarring.
Where Are They Now in 2026?
Elizabeth Weber has solidified herself as a staple in the Love Island community. She’s successfully pivoted from "contestant" to "personality." Her podcast remains a go-to source for fans who want the inside scoop on how the show is produced and what actually happens behind the scenes. She looks happy. She looks settled.
Zac Mirabelli has maintained his aesthetic as the quintessential fit, adventurous guy. He’s traveled, he’s modeled, and he’s seemingly found a way to exist in the influencer space without letting it consume his entire identity.
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They don't really interact publicly anymore. No "likes" on old photos. No cryptic stories. It’s a clean break. That’s actually a sign of maturity. Sometimes, the most respectful thing you can do for a past relationship is to let it stay in the past.
The Legacy of Zac and Elizabeth
Even though they aren't together, their win was significant. They proved that the US audience was ready for this format. They set a tone of sincerity that subsequent seasons have often lacked in favor of "TikTok fame" seeking.
When people search for are Zac and Elizabeth from Love Island still together, they aren't just looking for relationship gossip. They’re looking for a bit of nostalgia. They’re remembering that first summer of the US show when everything felt a bit more innocent and the stakes felt a bit more personal.
Lessons Learned from the First Winners
If you're a fan of the show, there are a few takeaways from the Zac and Elizabeth era that still apply today.
- Social Media Isn't Reality: A couple can look perfect in a curated 15-second clip and be struggling in the other 23 hours and 59 minutes of the day.
- Distance is a Relationship Killer: Unless one person is willing to move almost immediately, the "long-distance" phase rarely survives the one-year mark.
- Friendship is a Win: Even though the romance died, Elizabeth and Zac both walked away with a platform and a life-changing experience. That’s a win in its own right.
Moving Forward With Reality TV Expectations
Stop expecting these couples to get married. Seriously. If you treat Love Island like a fun social experiment rather than a guaranteed matchmaking service, you'll enjoy it much more. The success rate is low for a reason: finding a life partner is hard, and doing it while being filmed for national television is nearly impossible.
If you’re still holding out hope for a Season 1 reunion, don’t hold your breath. Both have moved on to different chapters. Elizabeth is a voice for the fans, and Zac is living his life.
To stay truly updated on the current status of former islanders, your best bet is to follow their individual career moves rather than looking for couple updates. Most "alumni" from the early seasons have pivoted into professional niches—fitness, beauty, or media—that have nothing to do with their former partners.
Check out Elizabeth's recent podcast episodes if you want the most current "insider" perspective on how the show has changed since her time in the villa. It's fascinating to hear how the production has evolved from that first experimental season to the polished machine it is today. As for Zac, his journey serves as a reminder that it's okay to step back from the spotlight once the cameras stop following you around.