Season 2 of “Temptation Island” is already delivering major drama, and for Scarlett Bentley, the experience ended with a life-changing decision. The 29-year-old marketing agency owner entered the island alongside her boyfriend, 27-year-old real estate entrepreneur Cole Mueller, hoping to work through ongoing issues in their two-year relationship. But by the end of the experiment, Scarlett made the surprising choice to leave the island alone. While the decision didn’t come easily, it marked a turning point for the “Temptation Island” star, who has since opened up about what really went wrong between them.
Scarlett Bentley Says ‘Trust Issues’ Weren’t About Cheating
Ahead of the season premiere, Scarlett shed light on what led the couple to the island in the first place, revealing that their struggles weren’t rooted in infidelity.
“Once we were there, I realized I wasn’t actually worried about Cole cheating,” she told Cosmo. “I think it would’ve been pretty crazy for either of us to actually do something like that…so I was just hoping that both of us would really look more deeply into our relationship and grow.”
Instead, Scarlett explained that their issues were more about communication, growth, and understanding each other on a deeper level.
Disappointment Over Cole’s Approach On The Island
While the experiment is designed to push contestants out of their comfort zones, Scarlett admitted she was left wanting more from Cole’s experience. She revealed that she had hoped he would take advantage of the opportunity to connect with others and gain perspective.
“I know that he was probably scared of me seeing anything that would upset me,” she explained. “It was a hard situation to navigate, and I think everyone just did their best, right?”
For Scarlett, the lack of exploration made it feel like a missed opportunity for both of them to truly evolve.
Scarlett Bentley Found Support In Unexpected Friendship
During her time on the island, Scarlett formed a close bond with fellow participant Bradley Bobbit, but she made it clear their connection remained strictly platonic.
“That first pick for that date was totally random,” Scarlett said. “I just chose Bradley on a whim, and had no idea that we would become such great friends. And after that first date, we had really great conversations. I was the oldest girl. He was the oldest guy. I think he was just really mature, and he spoke my language.”
According to Scarlett, that friendship became an important source of support throughout the process. “He was able to help me navigate my relationship, which was super helpful, considering I was just like wanting to grow and get answers,” she shared. “It always just felt like a deep friendship to me…and having a solid friend to lean on was huge.”
Scarlett Admits She Has Some Regrets
Looking back, Scarlett acknowledged that there are a few moments she might have handled differently, especially when it came time to communicate with Cole.
She admitted she “could have been a little softer” in the video message she left for him during the show. “Obviously, I’m only seeing very small clips of Cole’s experience, so in that moment, it felt right,” she said. “I wanted him to dive into the experience…but from what I had seen, it seemed like he wasn’t.”
Still, she ultimately stands by her decision to walk away, explaining that she was ready to move on from the relationship they once had. “I think I was just so over the old relationship that we were in, and I just wanted growth,” she told the outlet.
‘Temptation Island’ Puts Relationships Through The Ultimate Test
At its core, “Temptation Island” follows four couples at a crossroads who agree to test their relationships in one of the most extreme ways possible. Each pair arrives on a tropical island only to be immediately separated and surrounded by a group of attractive singles, forcing them to confront temptation head-on while navigating time apart.
“Isolated from one another, they will go on a journey full of temptation and self-reflection to decide whether to return to their lives together, chart a new path alone, or leave the island with someone new,” the show’s description states.
Season 2 of “Temptation Island” is streaming on Netflix now.