Love Island 2026 runner-up Jasmine Müller has spoken out after viewers criticised her for not hugging winner Julia Majchrzak during the live final. In an exclusive interview with Capital, Jasmine insisted the moment was not intentional, explaining that she was quickly pulled aside by host Maya Jama before she could embrace Julia.
What happened at the final
On Monday 27th July, Julia Majchrzak and Lorenzo Alessi were crowned winners of Love Island 2026, with Jasmine Müller and Kavan Murphy finishing as runners-up. As the results were announced, Jasmine hugged and kissed Kavan, then ran to Lorenzo for a big congratulatory hug. However, she appeared to skip a hug with Julia, sparking backlash from viewers.
Speaking to Capital, Jasmine said: "Yeah that whole Julia sitch about me apparently not hugging her. I didn't even realise. To be honest it was just a high moment and Maya [Jama] came to grab me, I remember I'd just hugged someone and Maya came to grab us to speak."
She added: "So I think I just like git whisked away, so didn't get a minute. But afterwards I went and gave her a big hug and was like, 'Period congrats girl, you looked amazing up there!'"
Jasmine and Kavan respond to backlash
Jasmine dismissed the controversy, saying: "It was not even a big deal, it's so funny what becomes a big deal out here." Kavan also backed her up, stating: "It was not intentional."
The couple also revealed that Jasmine only learned after leaving the villa that Julia had called her a "b----" following the Casa Amor recoupling. Jasmine said: "I didn't known about this obviously when I was in there, it's just now I've been told... I had no idea, I was none the wiser, I thought everything was bless."
Kavan added: "Why didn't we see that at Grafties or Movie Night? This is the drama they wanted."
Jasmine's view on Julia's personality
When asked if they agreed with fellow islander Lola Deal's description of Julia as "fake", Jasmine defended her. She said: "I don't think she's fake, I just think she has an interesting way of saying things. She's a unique person. She's her own person and we love it."
During the final weeks of the series, Julia had been involved in drama with other girls in the villa, questioning the genuineness of Priya Jaswal and Aidan Murphy's relationship. Jasmine and Kavan's comments come as they continue their promotional duties following the show's conclusion.
