‘I faked my feelings for air time.’ Al Perkins’ awkward Love Island admission.

Al Perkins rose to fame as the overwhelming fan favourite on the 2022 season of Married at First Sight.

He did a bunch of shoeys. 

He didn't know how to take care of himself. 

He was basically a human-sized labrador, but he was relatively harmless and (seemingly) came with the best of intentions.

The Bondi lad was matched with Samantha Moitzi, but the couple didn't make it to the final vows before breaking up.

Al was then cast on last year's Love Island Australia season as a bombshell. He left the villa with Jessica Losurdo just before the finale. After the final episode aired, Al and Jess confirmed they had since split. 

And now, in a new interview, the 26-year-old has admitted he faked his feelings for Jess.

While appearing on Luca’s Podcast, when the reality star was asked by host Luca Silvera if he has ever 'faked feelings' just to stay on a reality show, Al didn't hesitate. 

“Oh f**k. I did. I did,” he admitted.

“I told the girl I was on Love Island with that I was falling for her just so I could make it further in the Villa,” Al said, as he continued to laugh. “It was really bad." 

Ya think?

Watch the moment here. Post continues after video.

Al went on to explain himself, but he just dug himself an even bigger hole. 

"I don’t want to get kicked out of the Villa. I don’t want to get eliminated or dumped early on. You know? I want f**king air time,” he told the host. 

“So I had to say to this girl ‘Yeah, I really like you.’ And obviously, she would’ve believed it, so we would’ve been a strong couple." 

I don't know whether to be impressed by Al's brutal honesty or... what to think, really. Reality TV fans have long suspected that contestants feign interest in their romantic partners to stay longer on TV, but most don't go so far as to confirm this theory.

Have a listen to the latest The Spill episode. Post continued after podcast.

This admission would be slightly more excusable if there wasn't another person involved: Al's Love Island partner, Jess. 

In response to Al's cruel comments, Jess took to her Instagram Story to thank her followers for reaching out. 

“I could literally cry at the immense amount of support I’ve received within the last 48 hours,” she posted.

“Your messages and comments don’t go unnoticed. You guys are the real ones."

Since leaving Love Island, Al has debuted a new relationship with 18-year-old TikTok star, Hope Kelesis.

Feature image: 9Now + Instagram/@lucaspodcast.