‘I DODGED A BULLET’ Love Island winner Tayla Damir on why her relationship with Grant Crapp had to end
The ‘Love Island’ star sets the record straight about her split with Grant, his secret girlfriend, Lucy, and her exciting new TV career
Smiling from ear to ear, giggling her way through WHO’S exclusive photo shoot, a radiant Tayla Damir looks to be the picture of happiness. With her Spanish tan still holding strong nearly two months after winning Love Island and the whirlwind that followed, you would never know that the Perth native has been to hell and back. But as soon as the 21-year-old landed back in Australia from her six-week reality-tv jaunt in Europe—where she fell in love with fellow Love Islander, Grant Crapp, 22, and became a household name as viewers’ favourite guilty pleasure— Tayla had an uphill battle ahead of her.
Grant and Tayla’s blossoming love and subsequent win was clouded in controversy when details emerged of the electrician’s secret girlfriend, Lucy Cartwright, whom it was thought he was dating during his time on the show. In recent weeks, the truth of the mystery girlfriend was revealed when Grant confirmed his relationship with Lucy. Here, Tayla explains her side of the story and the truth about Grant.
“It’s been crazy since the show, getting out and realising everything that had happened and then going through a fresh break-up,” Tayla explains. “Usually, when you go through a break-up, it’s more private. But I had to get used to the fact that everyone has an opinion on it, good and bad. I had to take some time to deal with it how I wanted to, and I’ve come out the other side. Don’t get me wrong, there were days where I wasn’t OK, where I was crying and going home to my mum and dad, asking for help. It was a break-up and you go through the emotions of it all.”
“There were days where I wasn’t OK”
With the help of her loved ones, Tayla got through it. “I just needed friends and family. They were amazing,” she says. “I realised I could have a bad day—that’s OK, but the next day, pick yourself up and tomorrow’s a new day, life goes on.” When news broke that Grant and Lucy were officially an item, Tayla was not surprised. “It was no shock to me,” she reveals. “Obviously, there were more reasons as to why we broke up other than just a rumoured girlfriend. There were pretty clear signs they were still talking and I wasn’t going to be the other girl. It was all the lies that got to me, at the end of the day. I’d ask him, ‘Have you spoken to her?’ and he’d say, ‘No,’ but then there were text messages proving that he was. I would see it on his phone. It was one thing after another and stories weren’t adding up. My gut was telling me to get out, so I listened. I knew I had to get out. Everything we’ve seen that’s come since the break-up has really proven my gut was right.”
Tayla says that while she believes Grant’s relationship with Lucy is real, she now knows her relationship with him was a lie. “At first, I thought maybe he did actually fall for me when we were in the villa, but I’ve been through break-ups before and when you really love someone, they fight for you. They want you back. They’ll do anything to talk to you,” she explains. “All I got was one text message that got read out on Kyle and Jackie O— so he never fought for me. That really solidified that there were never feelings there. He was still in love with Lucy—which is fine, if that’s where his heart is, then I really do hope they work. At my expense. But what a charade!”
Offering more insight into the Grant-lucy saga, Love Island’s Erin
Barnett and boyfriend Eden Dally confirm to WHO that Grant was in a relationship with Lucy throughout the filming of Love Island. “A few days in, Grant knew he could milk it [ Love Island] for his clothing brand and everything else,” Eden explains. “His girlfriend [Lucy] was running his business while he was away,” Erin adds.
Tayla says that with all he’s put her through, it comes as no surprise the pair have not been in contact, and there’s no chance of a reunion.“no, we haven’t spoken,” she says with a sigh of relief. “I would never consider taking him back. That is a hard no. [And with a surname like Crapp] I feel like I really dodged a bullet. I dodged a few bullets.”
Although she’s cut all ties with her Love Island ex, Tayla confirms she’s still very close with a lot of the other Islanders. “Millie [Fuller] and I are still little besties,” Tayla says. “She’s helped me so much. She was the first one who came over as soon as everything happened with Grant. She came over with so much naughty food!
“Amelia’s [Marni] been incredible, too. I’ve spent a lot of time with Josh [Moss] and Dom [Thomas] and everyone’s been super supportive. Justin [Lacko] still calls me and checks in. I love Justin. He’s the best. He’s my voice of reason, but Millie will go in to bat for me until the cows come home. Justin’s like, ‘OK, let’s just look at this from an outsider’s point of view.’”
Love Island host Sophie Monk, no stranger to heartbreak herself, has also been in touch to commiserate. “Me and Sophie have spoken since the show,” Tayla says. “She’s hilarious. She’s just like, ‘Oh my god,
“I would never take him back”
typical this happens!’ She’s already gone through it all so she has a lot of words of wisdom. She’s been through very similar.”
With the heartbreak behind her, Tayla’s top priority is her career. But, as she teases, she can’t reveal too much just yet.“With my journalism broadcasting degree, that’s opened up a lot of doors for me,” the Miss Universe Australia finalist explains. “I can’t really say who, but there’s talks with some networks and radio, and different things like that, so fingers crossed all of that works out. You may be seeing me on your screens again soon! Stay tuned.”
And with thousands of young followers watching her every move on social media, Tayla wants to use that influence for good. “I want to be able to touch a lot of the people that have spoken to me, especially that young girl demographic. I want to maybe go to schools and give talks and help them as much as I can. I have gone through a lot in my life and I do think I have some words of wisdom I can give them.”
With nothing but positive vibes surrounding her and a maturity beyond her years, Tayla says she is excited for the future. “Life’s looking pretty good and I’m focusing on the positives and all the opportunities that have come since Love Island. I’ve moved to Sydney. I can’t complain too much right now. Everything that’s happened has been a blessing in disguise. I’m happy I’ve learnt all of this so young and I’m now able to gauge situations a bit better—have better judgment. I know what I want from life and I’m not going to settle for any less. I hope it’s only up from here!”