'Temptation Island' star Rick Fleur reveals why he 'friend-zoned' Medinah and left with Ashley G
When Rick Fleur walked into 'Temptation Island' with his girlfriend Ashley G, everybody thought that he'd cheat on his girl at the drop of a hat.
However, over time, he became a fan-favorite with the way he carried himself and the amount of maturity he displayed. We saw him evolve into a fine man who any girl would be lucky to date.
In an exclusive interview with MEA WorldWide (MEAWW), Rick opened up about his experience on the show, his current relationship with Ashley G and, most importantly, what's going on between Medinah and him.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m a fun guy. Extrovert, optimist kind of person. I’m a hustler and a people person who loves to connect the dots.
When Ashley suggested 'Temptation Island' to you, how did you react?
I didn’t know what 'Temptation Island' was, initially. After finding out, I kinda was against it. I’m a guarded person who keeps things inside.
Did you think you'd be tempted on the island, or that Ashley would?
Coming to the island, I had set in my mind that I was going to chill, flirt a little and catch a vibe. I didn’t think I’d make a connection or get tempted. I didn’t think either of us would get tempted.
Can you tell us a bit about Medinah and you? What made you friend-zone Medinah?
Medinah and I have a crazy connection. We’re different and come from very different backgrounds, but something about us clicks. We have chemistry. It wasn’t just physical between us. I got to know her on a deeper level which was my goal. I didn’t want just a physical connection. We’re still friends to this day because I feel I went about things the right way.
I friend-zoned her because we would always argue. I didn’t understand her love language and how she needed to be loved. So that’s what caused us to argue so much, and that led me to friendzone her. She’s an awesome person all around.
We saw a lot of growth in you since entering the island. Can you describe your experience?
My experience was crazy. Didn’t know what the hell I got myself into. But once I saw what I was up against, I just reevaluated everything. How I went about dating and respecting women and myself. Being on the island forces you to deal with issues and I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Who were you closest to on the show?
I wasn’t close with anyone in particular. I was cool and vibed out with everyone. Me and David had a lot in common, so I guess him. But I rocked with everyone.
In the final bonfire, we saw you leaving the island with Ashley. Can you tell us more about that?
What made me leave the island with Ashley was that the person I came in with wasn’t the person I saw at the final bonfire. She seemed somewhat remorseful and I felt I should give her the benefit of the doubt. I did my dirt and she was forgiving. I felt it would be a disservice if I didn’t reciprocate. Wouldn’t show my growth. And I truly wanted to see how much I’ve grown into a better person. I know I still have more to learn about myself but I’m just getting better every day.
Although Ashley and I aren’t together at this point, we now have better communication and are cordial.