Well, folks, that’s a wrap! Sophie Monk has officially crowned Claudia Bonifazio and Austen Bugeja the winners of Love Island Australia 2022.
This season has had everything we’ve come to know and love about Love Island Australia. We’ve watched on as friendships have blossomed, fights have ensued, bombshells have come and gone, and of course — the reason we’re all here — love connections have been formed. Even better, with COVID border restrictions now in the past, the show was able to return to Mallorca, Spain for filming.
Going into the 2022 Love Island Australia finale, there were three couples left standing: Austen Bugeja and Claudia Bonifazio, Mitchell Eliot and Phoebe Spiller, and Callum Hole and Madeline Wilcox.
Host Sophie Monk gathered the couples together to reveal who Australia had selected as their winners for this year’s competition.
“The moment we’ve all been waiting eight weeks for has finally arrived,” Sophie began. “Three couples, but there can only be one winner.
“Australia, you have made your decision, and the winners of Love Island Australia 2022 are… Claudia and Austen!”
Claudia leapt into Austen’s arms, sealing their victory with a kiss.
“I’m over the moon — I genuinely can’t believe it!” a shocked Austen told Sophie.
“I’m lost for words, I don’t even know what to say!” Claudia added.
The remaining couples then offered the lovebirds their congratulations.
“I’m so happy. They’re so romantic and so cute, so hats off to them!” Callum said.
“We’re so happy for them, they deserve it!” Phoebe and Mitchell added.
Of course, this is Love Island Australia, so there was one final matter to tend to — the $50,000 prize money.
“Austen and Claudia, you found a beautiful connection with each other. But one question remains – were you here for love, or were you here for money? The basket of eggs, please!” Sophie said.
The couple was then presented with a basket of eggs, one with “0 dollars” on it, and the other with “$50k” on it.
“If you pick that egg, you will face the ultimate question. Love, or money?” Sophie explained.
Austen picked the $0 egg, while Claudia found herself with the $50k egg, and a big decision to make.
“I’m definitely not taking the money! I just want you. I choose love!” Claudia gushed.
“Love wins!” Sophie declared as the entire group hugged in celebration.
Are Claudia Bonifazio and Austen Bugeja Still Together?
Given that Love Island Australia 2022 was the first pre-recorded season of the show, we had to know — are the happy couple still… actually a happy couple?
Filming of Love Island Australia took place back in August, so we needed to know if all was still well in the lovebirds’ world.
Thankfully, yes, Claudia and Austen are still together, with the happy couple both posting loved-up snaps to Instagram following the show’s finale.
After thanking the fans of the show, as well as her family and friends, Claudia wrote that she “really didn’t want this to be mushy” but she simply couldn’t help it.
“I still can’t believe I found someone as amazing as you,” she wrote. “I can’t put into words how thankful I am for you. You have proved to the world (and me) that there ARE still decent men out there.”
She continued: “You have shown loyalty, patience (sorry), forgiveness and an insane amount of maturity. Whatever happens, I have you and that’s all I can ask for. I love you so much, thank you for being on this journey with me ❤️🦋
“I love you, I love you, I love you,” she concluded.
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Austen’s post was equally as emotional.
“Who would’ve thought I was gonna walk out of here with this amazing women,” he wrote. “You have made my journey in here so worth while (sic) Claudia and for that I will forever love you.”
Austen went on to write that he never expected to “meet a smart, beautiful, independent woman” while on the show.
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“Thank you for being you, thank you for sharing your smile with me and I can’t wait for us to share life together,” he wrote, thanking his family and friends for supporting him along the way.
“So to basically sum it up my journey has been such a blessing and I couldn’t have done it without this amazing girl, support from friends and family and all the supporters watching us, thank you for being beautiful people and I wish you all nothing but a wonderful life, so much love for everyone,” he wrote. “Love Austen ❤️❤️❤️”
Congrats to the happy couple!
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